Penn State has renegotiated new discounts for cellular service for its employees and students. These new beneficial rates apply to business use for the University, as well as personal cell phone use. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to take advantage of these new discounts. Existing cellular users also are eligible to add the discount to qualifying plans. Existing Verizon Wireless Penn State accounts are automatically discounted at the new higher rates for both personal and University accounts.

Penn State holds contracts for cellular voice and data services with several cellular providers that give discounts to University faculty, staff and students. AT&T Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless offer discounted service and equipment to University faculty and staff, while AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile offer discounts to Penn State students. Effective June 1, the Verizon Wireless contract was renewed providing increased discounts and AT&T Wireless' contract will be renewed to provide increased discounts in the near future.

Verizon Wireless discounts for University accounts increased from 18 percent to 22 percent and personal account discounts increased from 18 percent to 20 percent. There also is a $50 equipment discount incentive through Aug. 31 for new or upgrade-eligible accounts with two-year agreements, available only online or via business sales channel. This offer is not available through retail stores.

The ITS Web site at http://css.its.psu.edu/es/phone/staffcellunvsvceqp.html#psurates provides information on cellular contract benefits. AT&T Wireless, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless provide online access for cellular service. Service and equipment rates and details can be accessed through https://webhosting.its.psu.edu/cellular/  or the Penn State Discounts Site at http://www.ohr.psu.edu/discounts/categories/communications.htm.