The fall semester will mark the first time all students will have ACU-issued mobile devices. Third-year students will receive their replacement devices Aug. 28.

All third-year students were required to order the replacement device through Team 55 and a website created to guide students through the process. The Premiere website was created by AT&T for ACU to allow students to order their new device through AT&T, hwose contract with Apple prevents them from shipping phones in bulk to customers.

The ordering process has been difficult, according to Kay Reeves, executive director of information technology. Team 55 did offer a live chat option, a video and written instructions to help students with the ordering process.

“Many who called us had not used any of those instructions,” said Reeves.

Cody Bowden, junior information systems major from Crowley, has completed part of the ordering process to receive his new device. Bowden said the ordering process was confusing, and he had to contact Team 55 for help.

“My friend told me to only use the written instructions, because the video was confusing,” Bowden said.

Phones ordered by Aug. 20 are expected to be ready for distribution Aug. 28. To complete the trade-in process, third-year students should go to the Learning Commons with their student IDs. Stations will be available where students can activate phones, sync contacts and set up e-mail accounts. Technicians will be available to help.

Last Thursday, ACU faculty and staff were invited to Cullen Auditorium to participate in a test of the network. Reeves said the network in Cullen Auditorium needs to be able to handle approximately 500 devices for the freshman Cornerstone classes.

“More than 150 faculty and staff participated in the test,” Reeves said. “But most brought two or three mobile devices, such as laptops, iPads and iPhones.”

Reeves said the test experienced quite a few problems.

“The iPads seemed to work well, laptops connected all right, but iPhone users experienced more problems,” she said.

Students will return their original device when they receive the new one. Old iPhones will be sold to help pay for the new ones, and iTouches returned in good shape will be available for loan to part-time students.