Increased Federal Telecommunications System Use by Strengthened Control Over Commercial Toll Calls Could Reduce Costs

GAO reported on commercial toll calls made by Federal employees through the Federal Telecommunications System's (FTS) switchboard locations. FTS was established in 1963 to satisfy voice, record, and data communications requirements of Federal civil agencies. The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for operating and managing the system. It is estimated that commercial toll calls will cost $22.9 million during fiscal year 1981. However, easy access to FTS makes it unnecessary to use commercial long-distance toll facilities to complete official calls. Based on nationwide data, GAO estimated that $10.2 million, or 44.5 percent, of the commercial toll costs will be incurred by Federal employees from FTS telephones, either intentionally or out of ignorance, when the calls could be placed over FTS at a nominal additional cost to the Government.