Never mind those Chinese spies: US Air Force picks Verizon for 35 base network upgrades

Never mind that whole Salt Typhoon hiccup - Verizon's reputation hit hasn't stopped it from securing a deal to upgrade the networks on 35 US Air Force bases with new 4G and 5G kit. 

The largest cellular service provider in the US confirmed the contract yesterday, describing it as the seventh win out of eight attempts to score a deal to upgrade cellular networks on the branch's state-side facilities through the Air Force's Opportunity to Lease (OTL) program. 

Verizon will be installing C-band equipment, macro and small cell towers on bases in 24 US states and Washington, D.C. as part of phase 3 of the OTL program, following on from previous awards the telco received in OTL phases 1a, 1b, 2 and 2b between 2019 and 2023. Those previous OTL awards saw Verizon install cellular equipment on more than three dozen USAF bases. No financial details ...