Mount Sinai School of Medicine supports mobile e-Mail Access for users of Exchange and IMail systems using the BlackBerry PDA.

What is a BlackBerry

The BlackBerry is a PDA that enables users to send and receive e-mails as well as view their Exchange calendar. It has the most functionality with Exchange accounts but can be used with IMail accounts as well. This is the only e-mail PDA that Academic Computing supports.

Coverage

The BlackBerry communicates by using GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), which allows coverage in all 50 states. International roaming service is turned on by default for devices issued by SOM. Signal strength does vary by location, depending on the distance from a T-Mobile cell location.

Purchasing a BlackBerry

The School of Medicine can provide BlackBerries to users of e-mail systems it supports. The purchase requires an institutional fund number and approval from the Deans Office for the following 1-year package:

Unlimited wireless e-mail, 300 text messages and 1000 voice minutes per month, and a new BlackBerry 7230 for $1,400. Accounts will be reviewed after six months and additional charges applied if usage exceeds the included amounts. Replacement insurance can be purchased for an additional $84 per year.

Please print the following invoice and provide your user name, phone number, fund number, and signature, then fax to (212) 241-4925.

Policies

Lost BlackBerry

If your BlackBerry is lost, contact the School Helpdesk at (212) 241-7091. The Helpdesk will be able to remotely delete all information on the BlackBerry and disable the phone service.

Replacement

The BlackBerry PDA is owned by the end user. The School is not responsible for providing a replacement if the unit is lost, stolen, or damaged. If you opt for insurance, T-Mobile will provide a replacement unit. A replacement BlackBerry must come from the same service provider that was originally used, at a cost of approximately $425 for those without insurance.