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Retirement of U-M Dial-in Service
Q&As
- Why is dial-in no longer included in the Basic Computing Package (BCP)?
- The number of people using local dial-in services has been declining over time as users move to high-speed Internet access at work and at home. By eliminating dial-in modem service from the Basic Computing Package (BCP), the University will save a significant amount of money on a service is that is being used by a relatively small number of people, and be able to use the money saved to provide additional or enhanced services.
- Who is affected by this change?
- This change affects all Ann Arbor campus students, faculty, and staff eligible for the Basic Computing Package (BCP) — including U-M Health System employees and U-M Online subscribers — who access the Internet using the University's dial-in modem pool: (734) 489-2222 (Ann Arbor), (517) 586-2222 (Brighton/Howell), or any of the MichNet numbers available throughout the state.
Your other ITCS-provided BCP services will still be available, but you will need to find another Internet Service Provider (ISP) to provide your access to the Internet.
- Will this change affect my umich e-mail service?
- If you receive e-mail as part of the Basic Computing Package (current faculty, staff, and students) or as a UMOL subscriber, you will continue to receive e-mail. If you use the UMnet dial-in to connect to your e-mail, you will need to find another method of connecting.
- Will I still have access to the U-M library's licensed resources — such as databases and electronic journals — that I can currently access through the dial-in number?
- Yes, all current U-M Ann Arbor students, faculty and staff will continue to have access to all the library's licensed resources.
For off-campus access, start from the University Library's home page to ensure you can access the licensed resources after logging in with your U-M uniqname and password. You can then use the General Search box, link to the Mirlyn catalog, the Electronic Journals and Newspapers List, or Search Tools to locate the resources you need.
- Once the dial-in service is no longer available, will there be an easy way to keep track of the multiple journals I use regularly without looking each one up individually?
- Try these methods to streamline your access:
- use My Search Tools — the personalized part of the library's Search Tools — to create a clickable list of selected e-journals that will be automatically routed through the proxy server. Once created, you can access them through a single login to Search Tools.
- create bookmarks in your browser but append http://proxy.lib.umich.edu/login?url= to the front of the URL so that you access it through the Library's server.
- How should I get connected when I can no longer use the dial-in service?
- For students living in University Housing, the University provides high-speed Internet access in residence halls via ResComp, and in Northwood Apartments via the Northwood DSL Network Service.
Students, staff, and faculty members who live in group houses or in private residences can obtain high-speed Internet access through any of a number of commercially available Internet service providers.
If high-speed Internet access is not an option at your residence, a commercially provided dial-in Internet service, the most basic means of Internet access available, is another alternative and is most similar to the MichNet Dial-in service.
- How long do you think dial-in will continue to be offered by third-party providers?
- The industry trend is toward high-speed Internet connectivity and the likelihood is that dial-in will eventually be eliminated, although we have no indication when that may occur.
- If I sign up with a third-party dial-in provider, it could make the decision to retire dial-in at any time, right?
- Yes, it's true that a third-party dial-in provider could decide to stop offering the service at any time.
- What's the difference between dial-in and high-speed service?
- For a description of high-speed options, see High-Speed Internet Service Options at Your Residence. You can also view a side-by-side description of the options.
- I am a faculty or staff member who uses a University-owned computer in my home office instead of working in a campus office. Does this mean I will need to pay for connectivity to conduct University business from home?
- In most cases, yes. If you want or need to work from home and need Internet access, you most likely will need to find a commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP) to provide access beginning January 2, 2007. The exception is for faculty and staff whose departments agree to pay for their at-home connectivity. You will need to check with your own department to see what its policy is concerning home connectivity.
- If I'm willing to pay for dial-in, can I still use the University's dial-in modem pool?
- You will no longer be able to use the University's dial-in service because it will be turned off effective 8:00 am, January 2, 2007. You will need to choose another Internet Service Provider (ISP) to provide you with connectivity to the Internet.
- What are my other options?
- Here's a list of locally-available Internet Service Providers (ISP).
- Are there any Internet connectivity alternatives that have not been discussed on the web pages that cover the retirement of the U-M dial-in service?
- If you live in Washtenaw County, you may want to research the new countywide wireless initiative—Wireless Washtenaw—for options. It is expected that wireless Internet connectivity will be available to all of Washtenaw by the end of 2007.
- Which Internet Service Provider (ISP) does the University recommend?
- The University does not recommend a specific ISP. Your decision about which ISP to use should be made according to which service provides you with the service you need at a price that satisfies you.
- If I purchase Internet connectivity from a third-party provider, do I have to use the e-mail address they provide or can I continue to use my @umich.edu e-mail address?
- You can continue to use your @umich.edu address or you can use the new mailbox and e-mail address the commercial vendor provides you, or you can do both! You can also continue to use Outlook, Mulberry, Eudora or mail.umich.edu.
- If I go with a lower-cost alternative, will I still be able to do everything I currently do with a MichNet connection?
- If you choose to subscribe to local dial-in service through a commercial ISP, you should still be able to do all of things you are able to do using MichNet.
- Are there different levels of security depending upon which method of Internet connectivity I choose?
- Yes. DSL and dial-up are direct connections between your computer and your service provider's network. If you choose to purchase a high-speed cable connection (i.e. Comcast), you will be sharing your connection with any of your neighbors who have also purchased the service and so there is a chance for less security. Dial-in and DSL users are less susceptible to interception, because their traffic does not travel across a shared network before reaching the ISP's main network. Wireless access is also less secure when you use a public wireless service like those found in cyber cafes.
- What are my options while traveling?
- If you will be traveling and need Internet access during the time you are away, many hotels and motels now offer free or low cost Internet access to guests. Internet access is also widely available in coffee shops, bookstores, and other public establishments.
Some Internet Service Providers include 800 or local numbers for subscribers to use while they are traveling, so you should find out if this option is available to you when you choose an ISP.
You may also be able to use the ITCS National/International Dial-in Service. Please see the next question for details.
- Is it okay to use a public library to check my e-mail when I'm traveling?
- It's fine to check your e-mail via the web at a library or other public site while you're traveling.
- What is the ITCS National/International Dial-in Service?
- The ITCS National/International Dial-in Service comprises the two wide-area surcharged dial-in services for U-M. The Merit Global Service (MGS) and the Merit 800 Service will continue to be provided for users who supply a funding source for these services.
Appropriate funding sources include a departmental shortcode, a U-M Online account, or a student account. Students who wish to use national or international dial-in services must request authorization in advance by contacting the ITCS Accounts Office. Faculty and staff members should contact their departmental fund administrator prior to using the service.
The rates for these services, which will be increasing, make them inappropriate for use as a replacement for regular MichNet service. Be sure to check the ITCS web pages describing these services and rates before authorizing a funding source for these services.
- You mentioned that the prices for Merit Global and Merit 800 Service will be increasing and so they are not a viable alternative to the U-M dial-in service. How much will they be increasing by?
- We do not yet have specific information on the price increase. The increase could be as much as 50%.
- I've noticed that if I agree to subscribe to a third-party Internet provider online rather than over the phone I get a discount. Is that because it's less secure for me to subscribe online?
- There shouldn't be any difference in terms of security whether you subscribe to a service online or over the telephone.
- If I am not able to get cable where I live, and I'm not near a DSL hub, what options do I have?
- You can purchase dial-up from a third-party provider or find out whether or not these other options are available in your area:
- Wireless data services from a cellular telephone provider (both Sprint and Verizon offer this in Southeast Michigan)
- Two-way satellite data services
- Data over power lines
- Municipal or metropolitan Wi-Fi networks such as Wireless Washtenaw
The first two options are typically more expensive than dial-in, but offer greater speeds and in some cases, flexibility.
- I understand that I need a modem to be able to use DSL or cable. What do I need to be able to use wireless on campus?
- You need a wireless card inside your computer. Most new laptops come with wireless cards, but if your computer is not new, you will need to check to see if you have one or will need to purchase one and add it to your machine.
- I live in an area where cable is available, but I don't want cable TV. Do I have to have cable TV in order to take advantage of high-speed cable connectivity?
- No. You can subscribe to high-speed cable connectivity without having cable TV You will have to have a cable installed inside your residence, however, to take advantage of cable access.
- Can I use my phone, TV. and cable modem at the same time or do I have to switch between them?
- You can use two or even all three services at once and you won't even be able to tell when you are doing so.
- I use high-speed cable for connectivity. Will this change affect me?
- No. This change affects only individuals who use dial-in to connect to the Internet.
- I use an ISDN line and call into a Michnet number for connectivity. Will this number stop working as well?
- If you are using a Michnet number for connectivity, it will stop working in January. You will need to choose an alternative method for connecting to the Internet.
- I already have a commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP), but when that service is unavailable, I use dial-in to connect to the Internet. Will there be any provision for an alternative to my ISP once these changes have been implemented?
- You will still be able to use the Merit Global Service and the Merit (for-fee) 800 Service, although rates will be increasing. The rates for using these services make them inappropriate for use as a primary method of connecting, but they are available for you to use when you are traveling or at times when your primary connection is not available.
- I am a faculty/staff member and use dial-in to work at home. Will the University pay for my residential connectivity?
- If your residential connectivity is used for work you are required to do at home, then you should contact your supervisor about whether your department reimburses employees for work-at-home expenses. Some departments do but many do not. If you need access in order to work at home and you have to pay for it yourself, you may be able to deduct this on your income tax as a work expense. You should check with your tax preparer for more information on this subject.
- Is the MCIT dial-in pool also being retired?
- As far as we are aware, the MCIT dial-in pool does not have any relationship to the ITCS service that is being discontinued. We are checking with MCIT and will update our Q&A as soon as we have a definitive answer.
- I'm on the Flint or Dearborn campus; does this affect me?
- No. Please check with your campus information technology department for computing services available to you.
- Can we still use the 4-help consultants?
- Yes. The changes to the dial-in service do not affect any of your other U-M provided services.
- I still have questions. Whom can I contact?
- You can call the ITCS consultants at 734-764-HELP [764-4357], option 2, or send e-mail to online.consulting@umich.edu.
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