Pocket Paging

Pocket paging is a technology for delivering one-way messages over airwaves to a pager. A pager is a radio receiver that constantly monitors a specific radio frequency dedicated to pager use. Your pager activates only when it receives its specific ID string, or CAPCODE, which indicates that it should relay a message.

The charge for the service is $2.50 per month, per pager, plus a $15 programming fee for new pagers or changes. The cost of the pagers varies depending on the model and features. Pagers and paging service can be ordered on a standard Telecommunication Service Order (TSO) form or using the Web TSO feature of the WebTSR. For more information, contact the Customer Service Office at 333-1161.

Types of pagers available

Digital Pagers

Digital pagers provide an audio or vibrating "alert" signal and then displays a "callback" telephone number. These are appropriate for staff who may need to be reached during meetings or at locations where an audio message is not appropriate.

A numeric pager displays a message consisting only of digits and possibly dashes, commonly used to send telephone numbers by using a touch-tone phone. Arbitrary code numbers may be sent in addition to a phone number. For example, the number xxx-yyyy-1 might mean to call the xxx-yyyy number at your leisure, while xxx-yyyy-9 might mean call ASAP.

Alphanumeric Pagers

Alphanumeric pagers allow you to receive alphanumeric messages (words and numbers) instantly. Service can be integrated with the campus email system, which will allow you to receive messages.

An alphanumeric pager displays a message consisting of a limited number of alphabetic and numeric characters. For example, the pager could display, "This is Bill. The mail server is down." A common method for delivering text messages to pagers involves calling an answering service and giving a short message to an operator who transcribes the message into the digital paging system. Messages are frequently misunderstood, however, or typed incorrectly.

Note: CITES no longer offers voice or tone pagers (often called "beepers") but continues to support the service for customers who still have these units.

For campus paging, CITES sells Panasonic numeric pagers and Motorola Advisor pagers. For statewide paging, a lease option is available through a State of Illinois Central Management Services contract. For more information on obtaining campus paging or statewide paging services, contact the Customer Service Office at 333-1161.

Range of paging services

CITES manages the campus paging system, which covers Champaign, Urbana, and surrounding communities in Champaign County. Area coverage extends beyond the local area, reaching Paxton to the north, Oakwood to the east, Cisco to the west, and Arcola to the south. Transmission may be affected by "dead pockets" in low-lying areas or within dense structures, which interfere with paging signals.

Each pager can be called from on campus or off campus by dialing its unique seven-digit pager telephone number. Voice pagers can also be restricted to on campus access only.

In addition, Statewide Paging is available to University departments through a State of Illinois Central Management Services contract from Ameritech Cybertel Paging. The leasing program offers a viable solution for those requiring an area of coverage not provided by the campus pocket paging system. Ameritech Cybertel Paging offers service options for local, regional, and statewide coverage areas.

Email paging

CITES offers a centralized alphanumeric pocket paging service called Email Paging Gateway. This service makes it possible for any network user to send an email message to an individual's pocket pager.

The Email Paging Gateway accepts email for NetID@pager.uiuc.edu and sends the text of the email to the pager number found in the pager field of the NetID's entry in the UIUC Electronic Directory. You can add a pager number to your Electronic Directory entry using the Electronic Directory Editor.