TIN 19-01

Telecommunications Information Notice 19-01 Local Telecommunications Services

​July 23, 2019

The Office of Technology Services/Network Services, formerly known as the Office of Telecommunications Management, recently established new contracts with AT&T, Cox, and Eatel Business for local telecommunications services. The services available include business telephone service, PBX trunking services (T1 services), Primary Rate Interface service, and DID number blocks. There are some customer restrictions as to the availability and use of these new contracts.

AT&T and Cox Customers

For those agencies receiving local telecommunications services from AT&T or Cox, OTS/NS has already issued service orders to convert all current billing to the new contract rates for the above listed services. Based on the new contracts, agencies using Cox services will see a slight reduction in charges, and agencies using AT&T services will see a slight increase in the price of Business Lines. These pricing changes will most likely start appearing on the September 2019 OTM bill.

CenturyLink and tw Telecom Customers

Those agencies receiving local telecommunications services from CenturyLink and tw Telecom will be required to convert to new providers. OTS/NS has already started the process of requesting quotes and will be working with the affected agencies to provide optimal solutions and smooth transitions.

Alternate Local Service Provider—Eatel Business

Local service solutions are being offered by Eatel in Baton Rouge and other Eatel service areas, such as Gonzales, Prairieville, and others.

Procedures

Before deciding to convert services, or prior to ordering new services, agencies should first take the following steps:

• Send an ​NS/S-1 Communications Service Request Form to networkorders@la.gov requesting a comparison of the availability and pricing of services for all vendors (AT&T, Cox, and Eatel), as pricing varies between these contractors. Based on the agency's request, NS will determine which contractors can technically provide the service required at the specific agency's address. NS will request price quotes from those contractors and confirm applicable contract rates and service intervals. NS will then provide this information to the agency.
• After receiving availability, comparative pricing, and service interval information, from NS, the agency may select the desired contractor based on this information.
• The agency must then send a service request to the NS Customer Service section for the selected services and contract. NS will then send a service order to the selected contractor.

Note: State agencies should not request or receive design services directly from the contract vendors. This work should be requested through the NS Customer Service section. The NS Customer Service section will log the request and forward it to the NS Project Management Section for handling. All design and engineering for state agency projects using these contracts must be completed through the NS Project Management Section.

Quasi-State Agencies and Political Subdivisions

Written orders for services to quasi-state agencies and political subdivisions, such as local and parish government agencies, may be issued directly by the quasi-state agency or parish government agency to the contractor. The contractor may accept orders directly from these agencies.

Only quasi-state agencies and political subdivisions may order directly from the vendor. Billing will be by the contractor directly to these entities.

Contract numbers are:

Please distribute this information to all purchasing, telecommunications, and information technology staff. For more information about this notice contact Jolene Ardoin by phone 225.342.8682 or email.