Mobile Communication Device (MCD)

Employees whose job duties include the frequent need for a mobile communication device (MCD) may be assigned a state-owned device or may receive an allowance for the use of an employee-owned device.  For the purpose of this policy, a MCD is any device that provides two-way communication.

State-owned Devices

Any state agency or institution may elect to acquire and provide a mobile communication device to an employee upon justification of necessity and approval from proper internal authority. A statewide term contract has been executed and all executive State governmental agencies must use this contract while other state entities may use this contract when purchasing MCD and/or services (Statewide IT contracts).

The device is considered state property and is to be used for state business purposes only. A re-view should be conducted annually to re-justify the business need for each state-owned MCD that has been issued.

5.11.3 Employee-owned Devices

Any state agency or institution may elect to provide an allowance to an employee for the business use of their personal MCD. The following requirements must be followed:

1.       State agencies and institutions must develop an initial business case for the use of MCD allowance.

2.       The business case must be submitted and approved by OSBM prior to the implementation of a MCD 

           allowance policy. Concurrently, the agency’s internal policies and procedures for the MCD allowance

           must be submitted to OSBM.

3.       State agencies and institutions must develop a flat or tiered allowance, based upon the volume of use, for

           the business use of personal MCDs.

4.       Necessity of a MCD allowance must be justified, documented and approved by the proper internal

           authority.

5.       Each individual MCD allowance must be reviewed and justified every fiscal year.

This allowance would be taxable and employees personal MCD records could be subject to the North Carolina public records law (General Statute § 132).

An employee receiving a MCD allowance may not be reimbursed for business or personal calls allowable during travel status as outlined in section 5.10 Phone Calls.