Verizon, VA Partner to Provide Broadband Internet to Veterans in Rural US

Verizon Public Sector and the Department of Veterans Affairs will work to ensure veterans are provided essential electronic health services. The organizations announced Tuesday a cooperative research and development agreement that will provide broadband internet to veterans in remote areas, ensuring access to telehealth and telewellness services.

Senior Vice President Maggie Hallbach, a 4×24 member and 2023 Wash100 winner, said the partnership addresses the digital divide experienced by veterans across the rural United States. She added that through the two organization’s work, the VA can ensure no veteran will be left behind.

Veterans living in remote areas will benefit from the company’s network as a service architecture, offering connectivity through traditional terrestrial networks or low-Earth orbit satellite service, Verizon said.

The broadband service agreement comes after Verizon Public Sector secured a $448.3 million award in May to provide mobile devices and communications support that would help the agency carry out its mission. The two organizations have also worked on improving health care services to veterans by installing full-spectrum private 5G network across the VA Palo Alto Health Care System.