The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) is saving approximately $2.84 million per year after auditing and eliminating unused phone lines, including landlines, mobile phones, and VOIP licenses. The announcement was made on X.
According to the Department of Government Efficiency’s official X post, the Small Business Administration’s phone line audit is part of a wider federal initiative to identify and eliminate waste in agency operations. This campaign targets legacy infrastructure and unnecessary telecommunications spending, which can add up to millions in avoidable costs each year. DOGE said that this specific effort supports federal goals for modernizing agency communications and reallocating funds to essential services.
DOGE reported that, as a result of the audit, the SBA terminated 661 out of 686 traditional landlines, yielding $650,000 in yearly savings. The agency also deactivated 2,940 out of 5,340 mobile phones, achieving approximately $1.7 million in annual savings. Additionally, 6,505 of 9,195 VOIP licenses were eliminated, further reducing yearly expenditures by $469,000.
According to an article from FedScoop, agencies that conduct regular telecommunications audits consistently discover large numbers of inactive or unnecessary lines, resulting in substantial cost savings and more effective technology management. FedScoop notes that these audits free up budget for IT modernization and cybersecurity investments that are increasingly important for agency missions. The report highlights that both the SBA and other agencies have received recognition from oversight authorities for improving transparency and reducing telecommunications waste through these reviews.
DOGE is a federal agency focused on optimizing government spending, reducing waste, and ensuring accountability in contract management. By reviewing expenditures and canceling non-essential contracts, DOGE aims to improve fiscal responsibility and enhance the effectiveness of public resource allocation.
