Verizon Communications won a $2.4 billion deal to improve the FAA’s technological infrastructure.
According to the FAA, Verizon will develop a secure communications and administrative network. An agency spokesperson said the contract would last 15 years and reach its full amount if the FAA exercises all options.
Verizon will develop a network “to handle all of the agency’s mission-critical applications,” including air traffic control for over 45,000 aircraft daily.
The deal was announced Thursday, three months after a critical alert system failed, suspending flights nationwide. In addition, contractors mistakenly erased database and backup files, the FAA said.
FAA officials want to update the alert system and other systems. Airlines urged Lawmakers to finance FAA technology.