Zoom Phone Overview

What is Zoom Phone?

Zoom Phone is flexible, versatile, can seamlessly transfer calls across devices and to different mediums, easily switching from voice to video and back again. Using the Zoom desktop or mobile application to make phone calls will allow UC Davis to greatly reduce the need for physical phones for most users on campus.

Users can operate Zoom Phone on their existing devices (computer, tablet, or mobile devices) as a softphone.  Zoom Phone is built into the existing Zoom app that UC Davis uses for video conferencing.  Once activated, a phone icon will appear on the Zoom toolbar to indicate that Zoom Phone has been activated. 

If you have not yet accessed the campus Zoom instance, you will need to sign in prior to receiving Zoom Phone. You can access Zoom at https://ucdavis.zoom.us using your UC Davis logon ID and password.

Who Can Use Zoom Phone?

PHS employees that meet the following criteria are eligible for the migration:

•                     Uses the UCD Campus Zoom license

•                     Has an assigned UCD campus phone number

•                     Works 100% remotely or Hybrid OR Works on campus and would like to use a “soft phone” instead of a physical phone.

•                  Employees who meet the criteria above but would like to keep their landline are not required to migrate to the Zoom Phone.

•                  At this time, only individual users will be switched to the Zoom softphone. Specialized, departmental, and common area lines will continue using Cisco.

What happens to user’s phone number and Cisco phone?

Users will keep their same phone number when they are migrated to the Zoom phone.  Once your Zoom Phone is enabled calls made to your university phone number will ring on your Zoom Phone. 

Cisco hard phone devices that you have will no longer work and existing voicemail messages will be deleted. Voicemails will remain on Cisco’s Unity system for 30 days and then they will be deleted. 

The Cisco phone will remain “active” meaning that if your computer is connected to your phone you will not lose internet service, but you will no longer see your directory number on the phone. 

Please leave your Cisco hard phone where it is currently located (e.g. on your desk) and plugged in. Information and Educational Technology (IET) will work with your department on a phone recovery plan. Do not unplug your phone until you are either advised to do so by your departmental IT or supervisor, or someone comes to pick it up. 

Does the Zoom Phone work without an internet connection?

Zoom Phone utilizes Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. When making calls from the desktop application on your computer or tablet, it will utilize an internet connection to make or answer a call. If the internet is not working, you will not be able to make calls over the internet.

If you have the Zoom app downloaded to your phone, you will have the option to Switch to Carrier and utilize cellular data to complete a call, but standard rates will apply.

Will a Zoom Phone call interrupt a Zoom meeting?

Yes, unless you change your call handling settings, including sending callers to voicemail or enabling call waiting when you’re in a video meeting or on another voice call. You can make adjustments in the desktop app or web portal.