The Schools Internet Caller tariff transformed the ability of schools to afford Internet access, providing a flat-rate charge irrespective of use. In many parts of the country ISDN2 will remain important for some time to come as ADSL is not available.
There are occasional complaints that schools have received a very high ISDN phone bill for the ISDN line used for Internet access. This is generally due to inadvertent use outside the set hours, sometimes the network, if left on, will dial out automatically.
There are two Schools Internet Caller (SIC) tariffs:
- SIC15 typically used by the smallest schools only allows 15 hours Internet access per week, over which the standard (high) call charges apply. A quarterly charge of £104 depending a little on the ISP can be expected.
- SIC50 allows unlimited Internet use between 8.00 am and 6.00pm weekdays. This is a quarterly charge typically of approximately £180 per quarter.
Advice to schools:
- Check whether you have the SIC 15 or SIC 50 service (you cannot see this on the BT bill, except by checking the quarterly charge).
- A member of staff could turn off the router at its mains power supply at the end of the day and back on in the morning, although an annoying task that could easily get forgotten.
- A time switch can be fitted to control the mains power to the ISDN router.
- This must be a 7-day time switch to remove usage at weekends.
- The accuracy must be good, using a digital timer, or if mechanical set for, say, 8.30am and 5.30 pm to provide a safety margin.
- Time switches can go wrong – regular checking is important, particularly when the clocks go back / forward.
- Be very careful that a ‘helpful person' does not unplug the time switch or plug in the wrong item in confusion.
- Make sure that if anybody needs to use the Internet in the evening, such as an adult education class, they can reliably bypass the time switch and return it to correct use when finished – and pay for their evening usage.
Other Useful information
Checking Calls – RM page http://www.ifl.net/support/help/coninfo.html
