Water, Gas & Light Commission telecommunications department director Jason Gauntt told the WG&L board Thursday morning that significant improvements in the leaner department were what he expects to be only the beginning of a department with an eye on the future.

Gauntt said the WG&L telecom department had generated $274,450 in additional revenue compared to the same period last year and that the majority of the revenue ($213,058) is recurring. Interim General Manager Tom Berry trimmed department personnel from nine to three late last year as a cost-saving and efficiency measure.

“Our department is still a work in progress that’s only going to get better,” Gauntt said. “I believe if you look at where we were a year ago and compare it to where we are today, it shows what we’re capable of doing.”

Gauntt said the telecom department offers data, Internet and internal networking services and is in a trial phase with a voice component that will give the utility the ability to offer more compelling bundled packages.

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