- Verizon awarded major contract with the US Air Force, despite recent security concerns
- Contract will see Verizon provide 5G network upgrades to bases across the US
- Victory comes despite recent network breach by foreign hacker
Verizon announced that it will provide the US Air Force with 5G network upgrades at 35 installations across the United States.
Through the agency’s lease offering program, Verizon will provide network enhancements such as new macro builds, small cells and C-band carrier additions, hopefully delivering higher speeds , increased bandwidth and lower latency for base personnel and the community.
However, some might raise eyebrows at this news, which comes just over a week after Verizon and AT&T confirmed their networks were free of China’s state-sponsored attackers, Salt Typhoon.
Verizon Military Contracts
The massive attack saw nine major companies hacked and more than 100,000 routers compromised in a single network, and the attackers were able to “geolocate millions of people, to record phone calls at will”, according to advisor Anne Neuberger deputy for national security. for cyber and emerging technologies.
It is unclear whether the deal was reached before the breach was announced, but the intrusion is considered one of the worst of its kind in telecommunications breaches, and the consequences of the breach are still to understand.
Verizon already holds contracts with the Armed Forces to support flight line testing equipment, animated simulation and training, full-motion high-definition video to support telemedicine for its Airmen, and ultra-soft artificial intelligence. fast for biometric identification.
“This is Verizon’s 7th OTL victory out of 8 attempts, a testament to the confidence the U.S. Air Force has in the strength and speed of our network, as well as the quality of the expertise in professional and managed services that it acquires through our network. people,” said Maggie Hallbach, Verizon’s senior vice president of public sector.
“We are honored to count Verizon Business among their most trusted partners. »
