The Mount Pleasant City Commission passed a motion Tuesday to switch the city’s phone service from Verizon to Winn Telecom, which could potentially save taxpayers several thousand dollars.

Winn Telecom has also agreed that in addition to switching services, it will install a fiber-optic cable at a $21,000 savings when the Mount Pleasant Municipal offices move into the Borden Building later this year.

Fiber-optic cables, which contain glass or plastic fibers that carry light along its length, would allow communication signals to be transmitted at faster speeds than metal wires.

At the May 12 meeting, the Commisson was asked to postpone the decision on the dial tone switch and look for a cheaper or equally effective system, and City Manager Kathie Grinzinger said they haven’t found one.

“We’re determined now that their is no less costly or equally effective solution,” she said. “Winn Telecom will provide fiber at no cost in 18-24 months.”

Since the expansion of the fiber network is critical for the entire data and communications system, it would be difficult to find a cheaper alternative.

One option considered was Voiceover Internet protocol (VoIP technology), and although this may be an acceptable dial-tone provider for the hardware system currently in use, it would not be appropriate for auto-alert systems.

Since technology changes rapidly and the commission would like to be open to alternative technologies, the Winn Telecom contract was recommended for three years.

Commissioner Bruce Kilmer questions the service switch.

“If the five-year contract will save us $20,000 why not go with that?” Kilmer said.

But Administrative and Financial Services Director Nancy Ridley said the three-year contract will save money.

“Our savings will be greater than we first thought,” Ridley said. “Telecom doesn’t want to do a shorter contract but in three years we can look at alternative technologies.”

With the motion passing, all the necessary agreements for the phone and fiber installation will be signed.

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