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Verizon outs 5G-beaming THOR F650 truck for first responders

By Daniel Petrov

Published: Jul 08, 2021, 9:49 AM

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Verizon outs 5G-beaming THOR F650 truck for first responders

Verizon is trying to crush AT&T's Aerostat its competition in the first respondents' services realm by various means such as dedicated network capacity, devices and plans, but nothing beats a good ol' Ford F650.

That's right, Verizon Frontline, its advanced network and technology initiative dedicated specifically to first responders that has been around for more than 30 years, now has a modern tool to fight with when disaster strikes.

The monstrous Ford F650 is actually a dedicated 5G Ultrawide Band delivery system disguised as a bright red truck, aptly named the THOR (Tactical Humanitarian Operations Response) vehicle.

The truck is jam-packed with 5G connectivity and drone technology, and is able to provide "public safety agencies or the Department of Defense with high-quality communications and applications under nearly any conditions." In other words, in wildfires and deep freezes, or on the battlefield, Verizon's THOR truck can beam private 5G signal towards hard-to-reach places, where the communication networks have been damaged.

Offering full radio interoperability and built on a uniquely modified Ford F650 chassis, with a six-seat cab and three-seat rear command center, THOR can provide its own mobile network and also features capabilities ranging from commercial satellite options to the ability to be operated remotely from a tablet. Able to integrate with commercial drone applications, THOR also has an onboard tethered drone to assist with disaster response and risk assessment missions.

The THOR prototype was crafted with input from the Pentagon’s NavalX and the SoCal TechBridge projects, and we can only imagine that these trucks would soon be seen covering scenarios like the network breakdown during the big Texas freeze not long ago. In any case, THOR looks pretty svelte for a disaster-oriented 5G-beaming machine, what do you think?

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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena from 2010 to 2025, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.