Pictured above: The sales team at Network Telecom 

Many Shropshire firms are "wasting money" on phone and data charges, warned a leading county telecoms firm.

Cost cutting companies trim staff and are frugal in many areas of  business but forget to overhaul often inefficient communications systems, said Network Telecom's Eddie Whitehead.

"A lot of county firms have dismissed staff and streamlined their business during the recession but they never consider the cost of communications. It is the last area they look at when they are downsizing.

"Firms are wasting money and often have inefficient communications  which are far too costly for what they need," said Eddie, whose Telford company has launched a telecoms health check for county firms.

Companies are invited to book the free service at Network Telecom's newly opened hospitality suite in Hadley Park in which their team will overhaul a company's communications.

"We believe in customer service and we will tell you if you are in good shape. There are a lot of unscrupulous providers out there with a shoddy after sales service," said Eddie, whose company has just recorded its best ever sales since it was established 18 years ago.

To save money on communications, firms should:

· Overhaul communications system at least once a year.

· Watch out for "unscrupulous" telecoms providers which sell firms services they don't need.

· Prices are always changing - ensure you are on the best and most up to date tariff.

· Many firms are paying for phone lines they don't use. Install the right number of lines for your call volume and remove those you don't use.

· Get the correct telecoms and data service for your business needs.

· If staff work from home or regularly travel abroad check calls and data transfers are directed through the head office telephone system to cut costs.

· Be aware of free landline calls.

Always at the cutting edge of new technology, Network Telecom has been well established in the Midlands region for the past 18 years and now intends to expand its successful operation both into the north-west and south into the Bristol and Oxford area with more sales staff.

They supply mobiles, landlines, broadband, VoIP, data and IT, among a host of new telecommunication technologies.

"We look after our customers and want to keep them informed about not only new technology but also cost cutting telecoms to give each company the best service for their particular enterprise," added Eddie.