Long Distance Telephone

Long Distance Telephone is a pass-through service available to customers via negotiated contracts between the N.C. Department of Information Technology and commercial service providers. The governing contracts for these services are negotiated to provide rates and terms favorable to the state.

NCDIT’s Long Distance Telephone service provides incoming and outgoing call traffic to state and local government entities within North Carolina. Call traffic is handled over existing public switched telephone network (PSTN) facilities or session initiation protocol (SIP) trunks. 

State agencies and other institutions that use NCDIT’s local telephone service contracts are automatically provisioned with contracted long-distance service. Other local governments and educational institutions that obtain their local service directly from a service provider can also use our long distance.

Request Long Distance Telephone

Getting Help

Support Get Technical Support
NCDIT Service Desk: 919-754-6000
Support Hours 24/7
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Features

  • Switched access is available to any customer and can be supported over existing PSTN telephone lines or SIP trunks. 
  • Customers using switched access may request the use of authorization codes for an additional level of accountability and security.
  • NCDIT’s state contract for long distance services includes:
    • Intrastate calling (within North Carolina)
    • Interstate calling (outside North Carolina)
    • International calling (011)

International calling is blocked by the vendor unless specifically authorized. For more information, see International Calling Security in the Technical Information section on this page.

Benefits

  • Long distance service is automatically provisioned for North Carolina state agencies and other institutions that subscribe to NCDIT’s local telephone service.
  • Negotiated contracts for this service provide rates and terms favorable to the state.
  • NCDIT communication services analysts simplify the process for customers in obtaining the service.

Request Process

  • To request this service, complete the TO-5 Telephone Order Request Form and submit it using the NCDIT Service Portal.
  • Include the following:
    • A complete list of telephone numbers you want to have equipped with long distance through NCDIT’s contract.
    • The department code assigned for each number.
    • The current contract is with AT&T Communications and requires that all lines be "PIC'd" to AT&T for both 'intralata' and 'interlata' calling. If the lines are not already provisioned with AT&T long distance, indicate that you want NCDIT to have AT&T submit the change.
  • The request fulfillment team will send the information to the long-distance service provider.

Authorization

Approved contacts – budget authorization

Requirements & Customer Responsibility

Required NCDIT ServicesNone
Other Technical Requirements & PrerequisitesExisting PSTN line or SIP trunk
Customer Responsibility
  • Agency staff are required to submit a ticket using the NCDIT Service Portal for additional support or information regarding this service. 
  • The staff and agency receiving services are also responsible for:
    • Defining requirements
    • Determining the service level offering
    • Providing a 24/7 point of contact to NCDIT

Expected Delivery

Acknowledgment TimeThe service team should acknowledge a service request within about 3 business days.
Turnaround Time
  • The service team will send information to long distance service provider and process normally takes about 2 weeks to complete.
  • Installation intervals vary from 7 days to 45 days depending on underlying access infrastructure.

Customers

Suggested ForAny state or local government agency as well as educational institutions
Required ForAll state agencies
Spotlight CustomersNot available

Support Process
  • Submit a ticket using the NCDIT Service Portal or contact the NCDIT Service Desk at 919-754-6000.
  • NCDIT Communication Services analysts support customers through the entire process, including help with ordering the service through our business services.
    After the order is placed, the selected service provider will provide the service in accordance with a standard work order.
Service Support HoursSupport for the service is available 24/7.
Service AvailabilityThe service is available 24/7, excluding planned outages and maintenance windows.
Standard Maintenance WindowsDependent on long distance provider maintenance windows
Service Communications
  • Changes or outages that might have an impact on customers are communicated through the NCDIT Communications Hub and Agency Change Advisory Board. 
  • The agency's admin for this service will support communications to the agency users of the service..
Service Level Agreements
  • The service provider guarantees 99.999% network availability (domestic USA calls only).
  • Due to the nature of this vendor contract, NCDIT is unable to commit to service level agreements, such as provisioning or resolution times.
  • Customers interact directly with the vendor for the provisioning of the service and its ongoing support. Customers also interact directly with the vendor to ensure the accuracy of user account data.

Approved rates for this service are published in the NCDIT Rate Schedule.
 
View NCDIT Rate Schedule

  • NCDIT’s state long distance services contract covers switched service options. The option that customers select depends on the average monthly long distance call volume at the service location. The service contract includes:
    • Intrastate calling (within North Carolina)
    • Interstate calling (outside North Carolina)
    • International calling (011)
  • Switched access toll service is provided via PSTN over customers' existing lines in a shared arrangement. Switched access is also used as a backup for dedicated access in case of circuit failure or as overflow during high utilization periods.
  • For an additional level of accountability and security, customers using switched access may request the use of authorization codes. These codes are assigned by NCDIT and must be 8 digits in length. When using authorization codes, callers placing billable long distance calls will be required to enter a valid authorization code for the call to be completed.
  • Regarding international calling security, each agency has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring their service is secure from unlawful and unauthorized access or abuse. Unless specifically authorized, international calling is blocked by the vendor. To request authorization for international calling, send a completed TO-5 Telephone Order Request Form with International Long Distance checked. 

Training & Help 

None

Other Related Links

TO-5 Telephone Order Request Form

Related NCDIT Services

Not available