Expense reduction is top of mind for many IT executives right now. (BCG notes cost management remains the strategic priority in 2025. https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/cost-efficiencies-remain-an-executive-priority-in-2025 )

But we’re also told, many still believe that cutting costs in WAN, Internet, or Voice services is impossible, or means sacrificing performance, or taking on major project risk.

It doesn’t have to.

To help you see what’s possible, here are real-world examples of hidden savings we’ve found buried in corporate telecom bills, without switching vendors or disrupting service.

📌 A fintech firm uncovered nearly $1,000,000 per year in savings, just from their WAN and Internet bills.

Take Away: In complex telecom environments (especially with annual spend over $100K,) it’s common to find 30 to 50 percent in recoverable costs.

📌 A client’s MPLS ports were contracted at $400 per month, but they were billed $2,000 to $3,000 each.

Take Away: Vendors often overcharge vs. the contract, fail to apply discounts, or miscalculate taxes and surcharges.

📌 A company moved out of a data center years ago, but never disconnected the circuits. They saved over $300,000 per year once they were removed.

Take Away: Circuits at old or decommissioned locations often go unnoticed and unbilled.

📌 AT&T “forgot” to disconnect an old data circuit after an upgrade, double billing thousands monthly until we flagged it.

Take Away: Vendors don’t always stop billing for old services after an upgrade unless you ask.

📌 Mobile devices for now-grounded travelers were still on premium international plans. Plus, over 50 percent of mobile users were on the wrong data plan.

Take Away: Employee devices are often misaligned with actual usage, costing thousands monthly.

📌 Reviewing a complex WAN, we found underused or dormant lines that could be downgraded or cut entirely.

Take Away: Legacy services and over-provisioned bandwidth quietly drain budgets.

📌 AT&T told a client they owed money at contract end even though they had overpaid. The vendor didn’t count all their spending toward the minimums.

Take Away: Volume commitments can backfire if not monitored. Validate how spend is being counted before it’s too late.

📌 A client was billed for DDOS protection on circuits they had already disconnected.

Take Away: Add-ons and optional services often survive long after their parent services are gone.

📌 One vendor was billing the same toll-free number on two separate accounts, only caught through a detailed inventory.

Take Away: Duplicate billing across multiple accounts isn’t common, but it does happen.

📌 A client’s circuit prices had quietly increased, but the total bill looked normal, so no one noticed.

Take Away: Vendors sometimes raise rates mid-contract or when a circuit comes off contract. It often flies under the radar.

📌 A client received a small mystery credit on a line. We investigated and uncovered a $1,000 per month long-distance credit they weren’t using. We re-routed traffic to capture the value.

Take Away: You may be eligible for credits that never show up clearly on your bill.

📌 A client had “Disaster Recovery” circuits that weren’t actually working. By carefully reviewing each circuits, we identified which circuits needed to properly configured and stopped thousands in wasted spend.

Take Away: Bills that include DR services often include non-operational services. You’re paying for peace of mind that doesn’t exist.

If you want a deeper look at how IT executives uncover and capture these savings, feel free to reach out or check out the book Principles of Telecom Expense Management.