The US Air Force selected Verizon Business to implement 5G and 4G network improvements across 35 of its installations as part of a government upgrade programme.

Verizon is providing C-Band spectrum, new macro builds and small cells across the bases through the agency’s offer to lease programme (OTL).

Maggie Hallbach, SVP for Verizon Public Sector, stated the latest contract is its seventh OTL win out of eight attempts.

The operator stated the upgrades will result in faster speeds, increased bandwidth and lower latency at the installations and surrounding areas.

A representative told Mobile World Live Verizon had announced close to $3.7 billion in contract awards with the US Department of Defence (DoD) in total, which includes the US Air Force.

Verizon is providing 5G and additional wireless network services across 72 bases throughout the US. The representative said it is delivering network upgrades to more than 85 per cent of the installations.

Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile US have secured various US government contracts over the last few years.

In November 2024, Verizon secured a contract extension from the DoD valued at more than $98 million as part of a plan to build a point-to-point connection within Asia to improve communication capabilities.

It also won a ten-year contract in May 2024 worth $2.7 billion to provide the US Navy with various wireless services and devices.

Verizon was awarded a $15 million contract with the US Navy in late 2023 to provide voice and data services at domestic and international locations.