NEW YORK / PRNEWSWIRE / AUG 5, 2025
DataRemote partner, MetTel, has secured a $54 million contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to modernize legacy telephone infrastructure across ~15,000 landlines at 1,875 VA sites
VA POTS Transformation Contract
DataRemote partner, MetTel, announced it has been selected by the United States Veterans Administration (VA) to modernize the VA’s 15,000 telephone landlines across 1,875 locations with its POTS Transformation solution and managed services. This multi-year, single‑vendor task order—awarded under the GSA’s Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions vehicle—will utilize MetTel’s POTS Transformation solution to transition analog circuit‑switched phone systems to a multi‑path IP‑based structure, supporting standard voice, elevators, alarms, fax, emergency 911 call boxes, and modem connections
At the core of this modernization is DataRemote’s proprietary POTS IN A BOX® technology, seamlessly integrated into MetTel’s broader POTS Transformation service. Key features include:
Port-level analytics & advanced reporting for real-time visibility
Continuous monitoring and multi‑path failover via broadband, Wi‑Fi, & LTE/5G backups
Zero‑downtime deployment retaining analog device compatibility across legacy systems
These capabilities ensure the VA maintains full operational continuity while benefiting from secure, digitized communications.
How DataRemote’s POTS IN A BOX® Drives Success
MetTel’s fully-managed, multi-carrier POTS Transformation solution uses DataRemote’s POTS IN A BOX® technology which will maintain and improve VA voice connectivity while also offering additional features including detailed port-level analysis, 24/7 monitoring, multi-path failover and advanced reporting. MetTel provides the best alternative to POTS service through its partnership with DataRemote, geographically dispersed network and managed service delivery team. MetTel has also been approved as a Managed Facilities-based Voice Network (MFVN) by respected public safety organizations such as the New York City Fire Department (NYPD) and is listed with Cal Fire, the California State Fire Marshalls’ Building Materials Listing Program, for analog telecom replacement.
Reliable, secure voice connectivity remains vital to VA’s mission supporting veterans, even during outages.
Cost optimization through digital conversion eliminates steep legacy copper line costs and variable state surcharges. Previous implementations have demonstrated up to 30% cost savings for clients.
Operational simplification: National deployment managed from a unified platform reduces complexity and improves SLAs and support.
MetTel’s Don Parente, VP of Sales & Solution Architecture – Federal, emphasizes:
“We provide connectivity via multiple paths from space‑based broadband to LTE, supported by a network of data centers and points of presence (PoPs) across the U.S. Given the variety of access pathways and robust infrastructure, MetTel can ensure reliability in communications – an attribute that is core to the VA’s mission to support our military veterans.”
POTS Transformation Benefits Summary
At DataRemote, we are proud to contribute to this milestone—a digital transformation that empowers the VA to modernize mission-critical communications while honoring their duty to serve U.S. veterans.
Benefit
15,000 Lines Tranformed
Continuous Backup & Monitoring
Legacy Device Compatibility
Cost Savings & Stable Pricing
Analytics & Reporting Capabilities
Impact for VA
Enterprise-Scale Deployment
Ensures Uninterrupted Services
No Hardware Overhaul Needed
Predictable Opex & Reduced Costs
Operational Insight & Centralized Visibility