Wireless telephone services provided through different providers are not all the same. The quality of service may vary. Coverage areas (where a subscriber can make and receive cellular calls) will vary from vendor to vendor. The availability of features and options and how they work will differ with various vendor offerings.

When selecting a vendor and the particular wireless service required, careful consideration should be given to a number of factors. It will be important to know the geographic area normally traveled by the subscriber and any particular feature requirements that the subscriber may need. (Note: Some vendor service area coverage maps may not accurately reflect service conditions in particular areas. And, coverage areas may change as vendors expand or realign service. Actual usage experience in required subscriber travel areas is the best way to confirm coverage.) With this information in hand, comparisons can be made for each vendor for service coverage area, the availability of service when traveling out of the vendor's service area, the availability of features and services, and the availability and cost of equipment. The overall cost of service can then be calculated and evaluated. Finally, the agency may select the vendor and service which best meets the subscriber's particular needs.

Agency-provided wireless telephone service is not intended for personal use. It is for official state business and is to be acquired and used only after receiving specific, written approval from an authorized source. Authorization may be granted by department secretaries, university presidents or chancellors, heads of boards or commissions, or their designees.  Agencies are cautioned to follow applicable laws, rules and regulations, executive orders, and internal policies and procedures.

State wireless contracts have been structured to permit state agencies to work directly with contract vendors. Vendor personnel will be available to assist agencies in determining usage requirements, coverage area, and other alternatives that the vendor has available to best meet subscriber needs. Before making a selection, it would be prudent to contact several vendors to help determine which vendor's service best meets agency needs for a particular subscriber.

Additionally, contacting several vendors directly may reveal recent contract changes and limited, special offers. For example, vendors may occasionally offer short-duration promotions. Promotions may include price reductions, two-for-one purchases, a low cost or no cost addition for introductory service items or other benefits over and above usual contract offerings.

The vendor will bill agencies directly for devices and service obtained through the NASPO contract at the appropriate contract rates.

There are a number of contracts with several vendors from which an agency may choose to procure wireless telephone equipment, services, and accessories. After gaining approval to acquire service and then reviewing and considering subscriber needs and various offerings, an agency may choose the service with the best price and package/plan which meets the subscriber's requirements. A purchase or release order with the appropriate contract item numbers must be prepared and presented to the vendor. The vendor or Office of State Procurement personnel can assist with identifying contract numbers and other ordering information.

If available contracts for wireless equipment and service do not meet a specific business need, it may be necessary to separately bid for the required service or equipment. If a competitive bid is required, approval from the Office of State Procurement may be required prior to bidding. When state contracts terminate, it will be necessary to select a replacement cellular provider and issue a new purchase or release order. For contract information, contact the Office of State Procurement.

The state wireless contracts are for official state business only and are not to be used to acquire wireless equipment or service for personal business. However, while there is not a state-initiated wireless service plan for state employees' personal use, some cellular vendors offer special service and equipment pricing for state employees. As the availability and offers of such plans may vary from vendor to vendor, employees should contact vendors directly in order to determine the availability, service, and cost of employee plans. The vendor may require proof of state employment such as state identification badge or paycheck stub.