The following questions were asked during the Q&A portion of the Preparing for Zoom Phone Informational Webinar held on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. If you missed the webinar, the webinar recording is now accessible on demand. Simply register for the webinar and you will have access to the recording.
Q1: For the subset of us losing access to Zoom in August, what do you suggest?
A: These individuals will be personally contacted.
Q2: How does International calling work?
A: If you are currently able to place international phone calls, you will still have that capability with Zoom Phone.
Q3: Zoom has already presented its challenges in being glitchy throughout meetings, just like any other web meeting program. How will this impact using Zoom Phone?
A: Voice calls require much less bandwidth than video calls, so there should be fewer issues. Additionally, voice calls will be prioritized across the network. However, if you do experience issues with Zoom Meetings, Zoom Phone, or with the Zoom Client for Meetings, we recommend contacting the IT Service Desk. You may have a setting(s) that may need to be reviewed and adjusted.
Q4: How do iPads fit into this scenario?
A: Zoom has a Mobile App that can be downloaded and installed from the Apple App Store or if you have an Android device, the App can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. Once Zoom Phone is activated for your account, a new button will appear on your button bar located at the bottom of the App.
Q5: What about staff who currently aren't assigned their own telephone number?
A: We are working with department heads to determine who needs to be assigned a phone number.
Q6A: If I’m in a Zoom Video Conference, and my Zoom Phone rings, what happens at that moment?
Q6B: Is there a way to keep these phone calls from interrupting when we are either in a Zoom Meeting or using our computers to present?
A: There are several options you may choose -
- If you choose to accept the phone call, you will remain in your Zoom Meeting, but your audio will be disabled and your Zoom Phone audio will be enabled. Once you are finished with your call, you will be able to reconnect to the audio of your Zoom Meeting.
- If you choose to decline the phone call, your caller will go to voicemail.
- There is also a setting in the Phone Settings section of the Zoom Client for Meeting that you can enable that will hide incoming calls while in a meeting.
Q7: Fax service? Will e-fax finally be an option?
A1: Zoom Phone does not provide an e-fax option. Unfortunately, there are currently no plans to deploy e-faxing services at Bates.
A2: Traditional FAX'ing services will continue to operate. You also will no longer need to dial "9" before placing a phone call.
Q8: Is there a spam or "robocall" call filter?
A1: Zoom Phone has the ability to block calls or to report them as SPAM.
A2: Zoom Phone will show a caller verified checkmark icon to help users identify robocalls and spam calls. The caller verified icon appears if the carrier has authenticated the calling party and they are authorized to use the calling number.
*STIR/SHAKEN is an industry-standard caller authentication standard that requires carriers to digitally sign calls originating from their customers. STIR/SHAKEN helps users identify robocalls and spam calls by verifying if the carrier has authenticated the calling party and they are authorized to use the calling number. Learn more on the FCC website.
Q9A: How will I know I have an incoming call if my computer is not on?
Q9B: If you are only using Zoom Phone on your computer, does this mean that if you're sitting in your office (during working hours) and your computer 'falls asleep' after inactivity because you're working on something else or having an in-person conversation... does that mean your phone line is unable to ring in?
A1: If your computer is not on, in sleep or hibernation mode, your Zoom Phone will not ring and will be handled per your settings in your Zoom account (Bates Zoom Web Portal)
A2: In your Zoom Phone Settings located in the Bates Zoom Web Portal, you can configure how you want calls handled when a call is not answered (see below).
Q10A: Will landline phones still be able to work? They are needed for emergency purposes in the basement of Bonney.
Q10B: I want to emphasize the safety question that has not yet been answered (Basement of Bonney and elsewhere)?
A1: Yes, telephone connectivity will continue to work. Currently, there are two physical phones (hardphones) located in the basement of Bonney and those will be replaced with two physical Zoom (hardphones) Phones.
A2: Also see Q16.
Q11: Can we be reached on our office Zoom Phone number if we are in another country?
A: Yes, since Zoom Phone is a Cloud-Based Phone System, and as long as you have an Internet connection, you will be able to place and receive calls. Also, individuals at Bates using Zoom Phone will still be able to contact you by dialing your four-digit extension.
Q12: If my desktop does not have a camera or microphone, will Zoom Phone work?
A: Yes, but you will need to utilize a USB Wired Headset or if your computer has Bluetooth capabilities, you may also utilize a Wireless Headset. We have curated a list of Headset and Handset that we either recommend or have reviewed for capability with Zoom Phone. If you would like video capabilities, you may use an external web camera. Please contact the IT Service Desk for availability or recommendations.
Q13: Do you know if the cost of the headsets will be covered by the college or by department budgets--or by individuals?
A: The cost of providing headsets will be determined by individual departments.
Q14: If you are using a wireless headset can you get up and walk around the office? Is there a distance you need to stay within?
A: Absolutely! If you are utilizing a Bluetooth headset the range is approximately 30 feet.
Q15: Should we wait to download the new Zoom Client for Meetings, or should we download it now?
A: You are welcome to download and install the Zoom Client for Meetings application at any time. Once you have downloaded and installed the Zoom Client for Meetings application, you will want to keep it up-to-date so you will have access to new features and options, as well as bug fixes and security patches.
Q16: If the network goes down, there are ways to still connect outside campus via phone?
A: Yes, the security and safety of the campus community have been our top priority as we implement Zoom Phone. Bates has two Internet Service Providers (ISPs), so if something were to happen to one of the college's Internet connections, we have a secondary/backup connection. If the college were to lose both Internet connections, Zoom Phone would continue to work through *FirstNet, AT&T's Cellular First Responder Network. All of the campus security phones and elevator phones will also continue to work if a catastrophic event were to occur on campus and we were to lose power and Internet connectivity. There are also several buildings on campus that will switch to generated power and all of our equipment either has redundant power supplies, is connected to generated power, or is connected to a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply).