As Voice over Internet Protocol becomes more integrated into schools, district officials are faced with a key question when bringing voice from the network to the classroom: should they keep their analog phones or go for the pricier but more streamlined wireless handsets? The answer, not surprisingly, depends largely on a district's budget and whether the Wi-Fi phones are truly necessary, or simply a nice-to-have perk.
Some districts have found that wireless IP handsets have several advantages over more traditional phones. They can ensure that school administrators can make and receive calls from any building on campus, and help maintain the physical safety of staff and students because users can stay in continual contact during an emergency. Also useful is that it can reduce cell phone costs since the phones tap into the IP network.
"With wireless VoIP, districts can provide voice services in places where they may not have adequate data wiring, such as mobile classrooms or trailers," says Phyllis Hawkins, education solutions manager at Cisco Systems. Rural districts, and those without strong cellular coverage, could particularly benefit, she adds.
"We can have $10 phones in each classroom and still have VoIP capability." -Gloria Stevenson, director of instructional and information technology services, Columbia (Mo.) Public Schools
At Charles County (Md.) Public Schools, the district decided to go end-to-end wireless because it fit in with a major overhaul done three years ago.
"We upgraded every switch, and replaced the entire network," says Lora Bennett, IT manager at Charles County. "It made sense to upgrade the phones, too, so that they could be at the same level as the system. Already, we were regularly replacing phones and it seemed more cost effective in the long run to make the switch."
One issue at Charles County, and at many schools that use wireless IP phones is the coverage area, which may not extend far beyond a building's boundary. Bennett notes that athletic directors tend to use their cell phones when outside rather than deal with network range problems.
But lack of range can also be an advantage, says Joe Brown, director of information technology at Caddo (La.) Public Schools District. Teachers can't take the phones home, and anyone tempted to steal a handset would soon find that it couldn't be used off school property, unlike a cell phone.
Unexpected Benefits
Caddo installed Wi-Fi handsets last year as part of a network upgrade, and has discovered the devices have had some unexpected pluses. For example, student discipline has improved, since teachers can offer children a choice of improving their behavior, or having a parent called on the spot. "It got very interesting when that capability came into play," says Brown. "We had no idea the phones would be such a great tool for discipline."
Judging Wireless VoIP Handsets
Pros:
Allows users to be reached throughout the campus
Can be blended with analog or IP handsets
Better security, since every phone is portable
Often offers more functionality than analog handsets
Lack of range can deter theft
Cons:
Often much costlier than analog handsets
Higher priced than IP phones
Risk of loss
Because the phones are wireless, teachers can take the student aside, usually into the hallway, rather than call a parent or an administrator from inside the classroom, in front of the whole class. "The point isn't to embarrass the student, so having some measure of privacy is valuable because it shows sensitivity," says Brown.
Like other schools that have implemented Wi-Fi handsets, Caddo also appreciates the heightened security the phones offer. Rather than being tethered to a classroom, teachers can carry the phones with them and call 911 from anywhere if they see an unfamiliar person or have an emergency situation. "It's comforting to everyone to have that capability," Brown says.
Despite their advantages, some districts find the major challenge in implementing wireless phones can be the cost, says Hawkins. Although they have dropped in price since first being introduced, most handsets still range from $300 to $650. Hawkins notes some districts might be uncomfortable with spending that much per classroom, but points out that replacing parts of a system piece by piece could drive costs up over the long term.
"When you look at the cost savings with VoIP, the business case is strong to justify the expense of wireless handsets," she notes. "Upfront, it may be more costly than traditional phones, but you have to consider the lifetime maintenance costs of those systems, and the replacement costs. Also, there may be more support needed to bring together VoIP functionality with traditional handsets."
