Custer County approves RFP to replace phone lines with VoIP system to improve redundancy and cut costs
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Summary
The Custer County Board of Commissioners authorized a request for proposals for a countywide voice-over-IP phone system, citing recurring phone outages, impending end of DSL support from CenturyLink and potential cost savings; commissioners asked that future broadband backhaul be included in vendor proposals.
The Custer County Board of Commissioners on June 25 approved a request for proposals (RFP) to replace the county’s disparate phone lines with a consolidated voice-over-IP (VoIP) system intended to reduce monthly phone bills and add redundancy for emergency communications.
County IT presenter Vernon told commissioners the RFP would seek cloud or hybrid platforms to support desk phones and softphones across departments, allowing calls to be routed between the courthouse, sheriff’s office and road-and-bridge staff. "Right now we're spending a lot of money — between $5,000 and $7,000 a month on all of our phone bills," Vernon said. He told the board some vendors estimate monthly per-line charges could fall from about $65–$75 to about $25 once numbers are ported to VoIP.
Vernon warned the system would depend on internet connectivity but said the RFP will seek options that include redundancy or backhaul alternatives such as FirstNet wireless or STARLINK if fiber is cut. "Backhaul means we can open this up to multiple forms of support," he said, noting CenturyLink is planning to stop supporting DSL in the near future.
Commissioners asked that the RFP account for an upcoming local broadband initiative that will provide more resilient fiber routes to Texas Creek, Walsenburg and Wetmore so a VoIP system could transition to that infrastructure when available. "That broadband initiative would really help us in a lot of ways and make some redundancy in the valley," Vernon said.
Motion and vote
Commissioner (unnamed in record) moved to issue the RFP for voice-over-IP; the motion was seconded and carried with commissioners voting "aye." The board approved sending the RFP to vendors for proposals; commissioners emphasized proposals should describe costs for redundancy/backhaul and options for upfront versus absorbed installation costs.
Why it matters
County staff said phone outages have been frequent and that VoIP could centralize administration, reduce monthly charges and add failover options for emergency communications. The county presently has limited redundancy for fiber in the valley and officials said a single fiber cut could disrupt both internet and telephone service in multiple communities.
What the RFP will request
Vernon said the RFP will seek: options for cloud or hybrid VoIP platforms; support for desk phones and softphones; number porting from CenturyLink; clarity on backhaul/redundancy (including how vendors would integrate future county broadband infrastructure); and cost breakdowns for upfront and ongoing charges.
Next steps
County staff will finalize the RFP language, incorporate guidance on the broadband initiative and return vendor responses for a later workshop and subsequent meeting agenda item.
