FAA Partners with AT&T for Air Traffic Network Overhaul

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken a significant step in its efforts to modernize the US air traffic control system by partnering with AT&T. The agency has awarded the telecommunications giant an initial $74.3 million contract to support the overhaul of the US air traffic control system.

The contract, known as FAA Enterprise Network Services (FENS), is a key part of the FAA's broader modernization plan. FENS is intended to replace the aging FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure network, which has supported agency communications for over two decades. The new system will provide the backbone connecting air traffic facilities and other FAA operations across the National Airspace System.

The FAA has been working to modernize its air traffic control system for several years, with a goal of replacing aging radar, telecommunications, software, and hardware by the end of 2028. The agency has already made significant progress, having replaced over one-third of its old copper infrastructure with high-speed digital fiber.

The modernization plan includes several key components, including:

| Component | Quantity | | --- | --- | | New high-speed network connections | 5,170 | | New radios | 27,625 | | Digital voice switches | 462 | | New radars | 612 |

These upgrades are aimed at improving reliability and reducing delays caused by aging equipment. The FAA has reported that flight-delay minutes attributed to equipment problems in 2025 were about 300% higher than the average from 2010 through 2024.

The FAA has received significant funding for the modernization effort, with Congress providing $12.5 billion towards the project. However, the agency estimates that an additional $20 billion will be needed to complete the program.

The full value of the long-term AT&T FENS agreement has not yet been disclosed, but the initial $74.3 million award is expected to grow much larger over several years.

The FAA's decision to partner with AT&T is seen as a strategic move to accelerate the deployment of the new air traffic control system. The agency has stated that it is restructuring FENS around AT&T to meet its 2028 air traffic control modernization deadline, with Verizon remaining in a supporting role.