Joe Russo, Executive Vice President and President of Global Networks and Technology at Verizon, addressed these claims during a Barclays Communications and Content Symposium on February 25. Russo stated that Verizon was still rolling out its network but assured it would soon be operational with added reliability and performance for the FAA.
Later, Musk retracted his initial claims, clarifying that another company's system was failing rather than Verizon's solution which isn't yet online. Nonetheless, Russo confirmed that the FAA was testing Starlink in three locations for some connectivity solutions.
Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation, revealed via posts on X that both the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and SpaceX have been involved with DOT and FAA matters since early February. Duffy said he had talked to DOGE team members about upgrading the aviation system.
Hillary Clinton criticized this decision due to DOGE members' lack of relevant experience. Duffy responded by blaming experienced Washington bureaucrats for infrastructure issues.
The New York Times reported that at least 59 people involved with DOGE had ties to Musk's companies including SpaceX and X.
Duffy emphasized his commitment to securing a state-of-the-art ATC system under Trump's orders saying he needed "the brightest minds in America." He disclosed that Musk's SpaceX visited the ATC System Command Center in Virginia to review current systems.
"Because I know the media (and Hillary Clinton) will claim Elon's team is getting special access," Duffy said.. "let me make clear that the FAA regularly gives tours of the command center to both media and companies."
Duffy reiterated his openness towards any developers or companies willing to contribute towards this mission.
Verizon announced its critical infrastructure contract with the FAA in2023 worth over $2 billion for designing building operating and maintainingthe next-generation communications platform under Federal AviationAdministration Enterprise Network Services FENS contract
"Under terms," said Verizon "We'll build dynamic highly available secureenterprise network support mission-critical applications across NationalAirspace System NAS providing Air Traffic Management ATM more than flightsairline passengers traveling square miles US national airspace system"
The FENS contract succeeds Telecommunications Infrastructure FTI implementedconsolidated services facilities circuits serving primary telecommunicationsservices forming basic infrastructure Next Generation Air Transportation SystemNextGen
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