Verizon Public Sector has entered into a cooperative research and development agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide broadband connectivity to veterans living in remote areas.
The work is with the Veterans Health Administration’s National Center for Collaborative Healthcare Innovation at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System.
“Our goal is to provide the best and most advanced healthcare possible for our Veterans,” said Thomas Osborne, director of NCCHI. “Some of our rural Veterans may have reduced connectivity because of where they live, which could affect access to virtual care options such as telehealth and wellness programs. However, we are on a journey to change that.”
Verizon’s network-as-a-service architecture can provide cellular or low-Earth orbit satellite to veterans living in areas with very limited internet availability. This connectivity will provide VAPAHCS veterans with access to telehealth and telewellness, which are high priority areas.
“The objective of this collaboration between Verizon Public Sector and the VA is to help bridge the Digital Divide for our nation’s veterans,” said Maggie Hallbach, senior vice president at Verizon Public Sector. “This important partnership and the improved broadband internet availability it will help provide is aimed at ensuring Veterans, regardless of where they live, have access to the widest possible array of health and wellness options.”
Earlier this year, Verizon Public Sector announced a 9-year expansion of its partnership with VA valued at $448.3 million to supply mobile devices and mission-critical communications systems. The company also recently equipped VAPAHCS with a full-spectrum private 5G network.