FOI release

Departmental spending on telephony and mobile internet

Published 9 January 2014

  • Date requested: 16 April 2013
  • Date responded: 7 May 2013

1. Request

How much did the department spend in phone calls and mobile internet last year (2012)?

Provide:

  • total number of phone numbers in use
  • total amount of money spent, with details on the type of line (landline or mobile)
  • carrier
  • consumption including:
    • total hours
    • minutes of talk time
    • amount of data accessed via mobile internet

2. Release

A copy of the information which can be disclosed is provided below. As stated below, some of the information requested is not available.

2.1 Landline telephony

The department’s landline telephony services are provided by BT.

The number of extensions used in the department changes throughout the year; it is not possible to report how many were used during the course of 2012. There are currently 4,835 extensions in use (as at 23 April 2013).

During 2012, landline calls made equated to 110,674 hours, 27 minutes, 49 seconds.

The cost of landline call charges in 2012 was £183,868.19 excluding VAT.

2.2 Mobile telephony and internet, and carrier

The department’s mobile telephone and internet services are provided by Vodafone.

The number of mobile telephone and internet lines changes throughout the year; it is not possible to report how many were used during the course of 2012. There are currently 2,226 mobile telephone lines in use and 48 mobile broadband 3G dongles (as at 26 April 2013).

During 2012 the department spent £346,101.64 including VAT on mobile telephony and internet services. This figure includes:

  • line rental (tariffs include mobile data and/or call allowances)
  • additional call/mobile data charges
  • other associated costs

2.3 Consumption information

Only information for last 12 months between April and December 2012 (inclusive) is available:

  • mobile telephone calls equated to 27,831 hours, 27 minutes, 57 seconds
  • mobile data use equated to 95.71 GB