GREENVILLE, Miss.–Greenville’s outdated phone system is costing the city a lot of extra money. AT&T is eliminating analog phone lines across the country and Greenville’s 58 analog lines are now costing the city an extra $60 each per month.
If the city upgrades, as suggested by the rep who sells the city their phone services, it would save the city about $2,600 per month, said that rep at the city council meeting Tuesday.
But, that would come with extra expenses, like the retraining of personnel and some up front costs for new equipment.
However a representative from Tecinfo said they could continue to provide the outdated service at a price far less than AT&T would charge.
The varying proposals were presented to the council at a time when Mayor Simmons has warned that a tax increase may be a last option because of state and federal cuts and that the city would be looking at every way to save money in the upcoming budget sessions.
Though the head of the city IT department recommended taking the lowest bid, which would be to allow Tecinfo to take over the phone system and maintain the current analog system because it is still viable and the city has money invested in it, the council voted to table the measure until they can get more information.
Were the city to upgrade a great deal of retraining would be required, which would be at an extra expense.
