FAA brings in AT&T for network modernization program

The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded AT&T an initial $74.3 million task order to get started on planning and development activities for the modernization of the agency’s primary telecommunications and IT network.

In a Tuesday notice to Sam.gov, the FAA characterized the award as a first step in what the agency anticipates to be a multibillion-dollar contract with AT&T for up to 15 years.

The task order is part of the FAA Enterprise Network Services program, through which the agency is working to create a more modern network infrastructure for managing its own operations and U.S. civilian airspace.

FENS is also directly tied to the FAA’s larger overhaul of the country’s air traffic control system, for which Peraton captured the contract in December to act as the prime integrator. The FAA and the Transportation Department are targeting a December 2028 operational deadline for the Brand New Air Traffic Control system.

With this new FENS award, AT&T is taking over as the lead project manager and prime contractor with Verizon moving to a supporting role for the program. Verizon will still be tasked with providing core network functions to the FAA.

When contacted for comment, a Verizon spokesperson referred WT to the FAA.

“Under the initial contract, AT&T will begin program management and engineering activities, network design, transition planning from legacy network services, and other technical, testing, and implementation efforts needed to support the future FENS network,” the FAA said in an emailed statement to WT. “Authorizing this initial work now helps maintain the schedule to complete the program by the end of 2028 and ensure a smooth transition from the current network while the FAA and AT&T negotiate and finalize the long-term FENS contract.”

The FAA originally chose Verizon in the spring of 2023 for the FENS contract, which at the time prioritized shifting away from time division multiplexing to an environment based on a more modern Internet Protocol-based network.

In the newest award notice, the FAA cited AT&T as having participated in the original FENS competition, and the company’s status as one of three Tier-1 carriers that can move on the agency’s timeline for the broader air traffic control effort.

The FAA said a new competition for FENS would take a minimum of 22 months and would make the December 2028 deadline for the Brand New Air Traffic Control system “impossible to meet.”

AT&T currently supports FAA programs through the Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions, the primary government-wide contract vehicle for network modernization solutions, and the Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast systems for tracking aircraft.

“We’re proud to help the FAA modernize and transform the systems that keep air travel running,” an AT&T spokesperson told WT in an emailed statement. “With the nation’s largest fiber network, resilient next-generation technology, and decades of experience supporting mission-critical operations, we can help support airports, air traffic controllers, and the millions of passengers who depend on them every day.”

AT&T is now tasked to provide its core network infrastructure, nationwide footprint, network engineering and operational support to roughly 4,600 FAA facilities that operate round-the-clock.

FENS also supports administrative information systems and functions such as email, payroll and online training.