As Santa Claus gears up for his global sleigh ride, Verizon’s holiday tech squad is set to collaborate with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) for the 21st consecutive year. In a bid to enhance NORAD’s capabilities in tracking Santa’s journey on Christmas Eve, Verizon will leverage its robust network infrastructure.
Verizon plans to deploy its C-Band spectrum, known for expanding high-performing 5G connectivity, to fortify NORAD’s commercial network. The telecommunications giant aims to ensure uninterrupted coverage for the toll-free hotline, allowing children worldwide to inquire about Santa’s whereabouts.
Maggie Hallbach, Senior Vice President of Public Sector at Verizon Business, expressed pride in the longstanding partnership, stating, “Verizon has supported the NORAD Tracks Santa Initiative for over two decades.” This collaboration not only strengthens ties with NORAD but also brings joy to children globally.
To handle the high volume of calls, Verizon’s Consulting Services team has introduced an Interactive Voice Response System (IVR). This smart, automated system can address children’s queries and provide Santa’s flight path information when call center volunteers are occupied.
With over 130,000 calls received last year, NORAD’s hotline requires additional assistance. Nearly 900 in-person and over 200 virtual volunteers, including Verizon employees, military personnel, and other partners, will unite to make NORAD Tracks Santa a magical experience.
Children eager to track Santa can call the toll-free hotline, 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723), beginning at 6 AM (Eastern Standard Time) on Dec. 24. Families can also visit the NORAD Tracks Santa website, featuring ‘SantaCams’ capturing Santa’s flight, games, and holiday traditions. The NORAD Tracks Santa mobile app is available for download on Apple and Google Play.
In addition to supporting NORAD Tracks Santa, Verizon actively participated in the Dallas Holiday Parade and provided communications support to the U.S. Forest Service for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree’s journey. This year’s tree hails from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia.
