Network telephones coming to Columbus

  • Published
  • 14th Communications Squadron
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Get ready for a big change to the way you make a phone call at Columbus Air Force Base in the near future.

By June 6, all telephones at Columbus AFB will be converted from the current system to an internet protocol-based technology.

The current telephone switch system, the Time Division Multiplexing, or TDM, at Columbus is the oldest in command, and parts to fix the switch are scarce and very expensive. As a result, the Air Education and Training Command A6 elected to fund the Unified Capabilities project, which will migrate all telephones and video teleconference devices from the TDM technology to Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP.

The current phone system is reaching the end of its technological life and has become too expensive to maintain or replace.

"They won't be making new switches, and the technology is moving to VoIP, not just for the Department of Defense, but pretty much across the board," said Rich Marra, the 14th CS Plans Flight Chief.

In March 2015, there were 3,700 telephones connected to the TDM switch. As of today, 10 percent of those telephones have been converted to VoIP, a process that converts sound to data carried over the base data network. According to Tech. Sgt. Rick Dutka, 14th Communications Squadron UC project manager, Columbus has incrementally begun cutting over 14th Flying Training Wing leadership and other critical users over the last two months.

Senior Airman Sarah Bruce, 14th FTW Command Chief Executive Assistant, is one of those users.

"The new headsets make it easier for networking and finding numbers for people I need to call," she said. "It has a directory already built into the system, so for people loaded into the directory, I only need to type their name and their number automatically pops up. I can also make contact cards for individuals as well."

For most users their new phone will be a headset, a boom microphone and a USB cable that connects directly to a computer. The VoIP window that appears on a user's computer screen has icons for all the major functions of voice communication. One icon makes a phone call, another lists calls both incoming and outgoing.

There is an icon for checking voice mail, a feature that all 3,700 customer numbers will now have. Instant messaging is standard as well as a place to post a photo of the user. Many of these services will be explained in more detail during one of the four mass user training classes that will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 3 and 4 in the Kaye auditorium.

Those that work in command sections, customer service areas, and critical C2 areas (Command Post, First Responders, Base Ops, Duty desks, etc.) will receive desk phones that do not require logging into the desktop computer. The desk phones are expensive and in limited supply; roughly only 20 percent of the base populace will receive them, Dutka said.  The system being installed will support analog devices, so those that have wall phones, fax machines, cordless phones, modems, or analog devices that cannot be replaced by a soft client and/or desk phone will not be affected by the change.

VoIP phones, both headset and desk phone versions, will not work during a network failure.

Fortunately, the network at Columbus AFB rarely fails, said Clark Houston, 14th CS Operations Flight Chief. Individual services, like email or Internet access may go down for a time, but the network itself continues to function and so will the VoIP system.

The 14th Communications Squadron understands there will be a bit of a culture shock when it comes to using the new system.We want to make the transition as smooth and seamless for our customers as possible.

The 14th CS has established a help desk to specifically address any VoIP issues. Users can call 434-1025 for direct assistance until July 6. After then, follow normal help desk procedures.

Additional information and user guides can be accessed at the CFP Customer Service Share Point site: https://columbus.eis.aetc.af.mil/14msg/cs/CFPCSS/default.aspx.