Better Management of Defense Communications Would Reduce Costs

Department of Defense programs to reduce communications costs through increased use of shared services in lieu of services restricted or "dedicated" to one or several users have not been effective.

Requests for new communications services and the need for retaining existing services are not adequately reviewed to assure that valid needs are satisfied by the most economical method available. While the Defense Communications Agency (DCA) has been unable to obtain sufficient funds to provide acceptable common-user services, many users are able to obtain funds and procure dedicated services on the basis that common-user services are inadequate. More effective common-user services could be provided with the addition of more funds being spent for dedicated services.