Centrex, Retirement FAQ
What is this all about?
Technology Services is retiring the campus Centrex service. Centrex services will be significantly reduced by the end of fiscal year 2026 and fully discontinued by the end of fiscal year 2027.
Why is this happening?
The campus vendor for Centrex is phasing out copper-based analog telephony services. This change aligns with a broader, nationwide shift away from this technology.
When is this effective?
- Effective immediately: Requests for new Centrex services will no longer be accepted.
- June 15, 2026: Monthly charges will increase from $22.60 to $100 per line. Units will be billed for a full 12 months, even if service is disconnected earlier.
- June 4, 2027: All remaining Centrex services will be disconnected.
Will a replacement analog service be offered?
No. Due to the nationwide phase-out of copper-based analog telephony, Technology Services will not provide a replacement analog service.
Can existing telephone numbers assigned to Centrex services be moved to another service?
Yes. Existing Centrex telephone numbers can be transferred (ported) to another service:
- Campus Teams service: Units may request number porting to Microsoft Teams.
- External vendor: Units may assume ownership of their telephone numbers and transfer them to a vendor of their choice.
What is required to port numbers to an external vendor?
Units choosing an external vendor are responsible for procuring the vendor's services and coordinating the transition directly with that vendor.
A Letter of Authorization (LOA) authorizes a provider to manager or transfer services on a customer's behalf and typically requires approve from both:
- The current customer (Technology Services), and
- The receiving customer (the campus unit)
If a LOA is required:
- Units will need to submit their vendor's LOA to Technology Services for approval as the current ("giving") customer.
- LOAs will be reviewed and returned within one week.
- Beyond approving LOAs, Technology Services does not manage or facilitate the porting process.
Units must notify Technology Services once their vendor has completed the migration process to ensure service and billing records are updated.
What action should units take?
Units must indicate how each Centrex line will be handled by submitting the Retire Centrex Line form.
Available options:
- Disconnect: For Centrex services that are no longer needed, Technology Services will process disconnection requests as received.
- Port to Teams: For Centrex services being migrated/ported to the campus Teams service, the unit will need to provide additional information regarding the associated Teams account. This information will be provided to the Teams service group who will aggregate campus requests and process in batches.
- Port to External Vendor: For Centrex services being migrated to another vendor, the unit should attach any required LOA or approval documentation.
Units that would like to submit information on more than one Centrex line, can attach a completed excel spreadsheet to the Retire Centrex Line form.
Units are encouraged to work with their Pinnacle Department Manager to ensure all currently active Centrex services are accounted for.