VoIP is expanding at Hanscom

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The 66th Air Base Group's Communication and Information Division (SC) is expanding the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone service at Hanscom over the next year and for most customers this means their telephone prefix will change.

Last Saturday, telephone numbers for Hanscom telephone subscribers in buildings 1614, 1604 and 1435 changed from the existing 266 prefix to the new 225 prefix. The last four digits of their telephone number, however, remained the same.

"The exchange code change last weekend is one of several changes that are scheduled to occur over the next few months that will align much of Hanscom's telephone services with that of other Air Force bases that are modernizing their voice service delivery," said Sam Shamburger, SC's engineering project manager for convergence.

In addition to the prefix change for off base callers, on base callers now may use new abbreviated dialing to reach telephones in buildings 1614, 1604 and 1435. Instead of dialing 6, plus the four digit extension, callers now dial 5 and the four digits.

Callers will have time to adjust to the new prefix and abbreviated dial digit. The existing 266 prefix and the 6 dial digit will continue to work through Feb. 25, but after this date only the new 225 prefix and 5 dial digit will work.

"Our immediate goal is to complete our target convergence infrastructure that accommodates both basic and advanced voice and video services required by our customers," said Mr. Shamburger. "This target infrastructure provides for legacy wire-based telephone services, where necessary, while focusing on utilizing Internet Protocol-based telephones services as a cost-effective and feature-rich standard service offering."

The phone numbers in the Global Address List (GAL) have been updated by SC, but base telephone subscribers are encouraged to verify the update and make any other necessary changes using the iGAL on the Response Center's page. The Response Center page can be accessed by visiting CenterNet and clicking on the link in the upper right corner of screen.

There is no change to the DSN prefix, so only commercial numbers are being updated.

The change also requires old 266 prefix subscribers to record new voice messages. Users can use the First Time Log In procedures in the Call Pilot Use Guide available on the Response Center page. To access the information, click on the FAQ tab and then select the Hanscom IP Telephony System link.

Building 1305, the Brown Building, is the next building slated to convert to this new VoIP-centric telephone system. This service change is scheduled for late March. By early summer, buildings in the Electronic Systems Center headquarters area, including 1606, 1612, 1618, 1624 and 1630, will begin to migrate to the new system. The prefixes will also be changed to 225 and affected customers will be notified approximately 60 days prior to the scheduled service cut-over dates.

"There are significant differences between our new VoIP-centric telephone system and our traditional telephone service," said Ann Markman, SC director. "From the customer's point of view, they should experience a richer common interface, more uniform standardized services and relocating offices or buildings will be a simpler and faster process. When transition is complete, we will have improved service and reduced costs."

Additional updates on VoIP migration will continue to be announced through Hanscom's various media outlets, including CenterNet and the Hansconian. In addition, each unit's telephone control officer will have detailed information on their unit's telephony services change schedule and requirements.

For additional information about the service migration contact John MacLean, base telecommunications manager, at 781-225-0019 or Gary Smith, operations infrastructure flight chief, at 781-225-0021.