Information Technology Services

UH Hilo Voice Over IP (VOIP)

UH Hilo transitioned to a new telephone system in October, 2013. This document may answer some questions about the process.

What is VOIP?

Voice over internet protocol is a technology which allows telephone calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. Examples of such technology are Skype, Vonage, and the Time Warner Cable phone service. With the exception of special features, there should be no change in method, speed, or quality of the phone calls.

While VOIP runs on the same physical network as our data, it is completely separate and isolated and uses private IP numbers. You will not see the VOIP devices and traffic on the data network.

How Do I Use the VOIP Phones and System?

The following training manuals are available:

How did dialing change?

There are 4-digit short-codes available to those on and within the new VOIP system.

Users on VOIP continue to dial 9 for outside phone numbers. Phone numbers that are not part of the VOIP transition (such as the remaining 974- and 933- numbers) are considered as outside numbers for VOIP users.

Users on VOIP no longer dial 8-1-808-xxx-xxxx for other-island calls. To call inter-island, dial 9-xxx-xxxx.

How do I access voicemail?

VOIP handsets have a button dedicated for voicemail access. There are specific instructions available for traditional handsets (PDF).

How do I get new business cards and stationery?

Please contact Kelcie Valbuena at the UH Hilo Graphics department to order new business cards and stationery.

Whom do I contact if my new phone, phone number, or voicemail isn’t working?

Please call the normal UH Hilo ITS Help Desk at (808) 932-7040.

What are the key phone numbers I should know?

  • Main Campus Number - (808) 932-7900 (includes options for popular inquiries)
  • Campus Security - (808) 974-7911 (unchanged, but VOIP users will be able to dial the 7911 short code or 7013 on campus)
  • Campus Switchboard - (808) 932-7016
  • Admissions - (808) 932-7446
  • Help Desk - (808) 932-7040
  • Human Resources - (808) 932-7626

Why did we change?

The University of Hawaiʻi system has been transitioning to VOIP as a cost-savings measure and UH Hilo joined the other campuses in this regard. Additional phone numbers/lines require additional telephony infrastructure and it is most effective and fiscally responsible to invest in the appropriate technology—particularly for our new buildings.

To whom do I address my other questions about VOIP at UH Hilo?

Please direct questions to Auxiliary Services.

If you have information or suggestions specifically for this web page, please contact Sunny “Kamakalōliʻi” Walker.