By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Tuesday that Verizon is «not moving fast enough» in its $2.4 billion, 15-year telecom contract with the Federal Aviation Administration.
Duffy, who plans to ask Congress for tens of billions of dollars to reform air traffic control, spoke after Elon Musk’s Starlink unit last week denied it wanted to take over the Verizon FAA contract.
«I want companies that want to move fast,» Duffy said at a press conference. «I can’t wait 10 years… The American people can’t wait 10 years or 12 years to lay fiber.»
Verizon said in response it is working with the FAA on solutions to create an advanced, safer national air traffic control.
«We are open and willing to work with companies that may offer complementary services to this new communications network,» Verizon said, adding it is «actively working with the FAA’s technology teams and our solutions stand ready to be deployed.»
Duffy said companies need to move fast to address aging systems. «It’s not going to be one company. We’re going to need a lot of companies to buy in and help build up the system,» he said.
Last week, Musk’s SpaceX said its Starlink satellite unit has no intent to take over any FAA telecommunications contract, rejecting media reports. Reuters has reported the FAA is reviewing the Verizon contract.
«Starlink is a possible partial fix to an aging system. There is no effort or intent for Starlink to ‘take over’ any existing contract,» SpaceX posted on X, the social media platform also owned by Musk.
The Government Accountability Office says the FAA must take urgent action to address aging air traffic control systems, saying that one third are unsustainable.
Many Democrats have suggested the FAA could cancel a $2.4 billion contract with Verizon and give it to Starlink because of Musk’s close ties to President Donald Trump. Musk, who is leading the so-called Department of Government Efficiency federal cost-cutting operation, has criticized the current FAA telecom system.
Last month, the FAA said it was testing three Starlink terminals at a government facility in Alaska to restore stable access to weather information for pilots and the FAA.
(Reporting by David ShepardsonEditing by Bill Berkrot)
