Verizon recently installed an array of small cells at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego. The deployment marks the operator’s third 4G LTE small cell installation at Navy bases in the region last year, and lays the foundation for an eventual 5G deployment.

The latest deployment provides the facility with improved connectivity for mission-critical communications and supports more than 60 military tenant commands, according to Verizon. Naval Base Point Loma provides support for up to 70 U.S. Pacific Fleet vessels afloat and stationed on shore with an on-base population of about 22,000 Navy and civilian personnel.

Verizon previously installed small cells at nearby Naval Base Coronado and Naval Base San Diego, making the bases among the first naval small-cell installations in the country. The improved connectivity and coverage will support ship maintenance, operational training, asset management and tracking, fleet and family services, IoT, and real-time analytics, the operator said.

The deployments solidify Verizon’s determination to remain a strong player in the public-safety market. It’s rival AT&T has been making significant strides in the sector after winning a 25-year contract from the federal government to deploy the FirstNet nationwide public safety communications network.

“In one year, we’ve gone to 1 million connections, 75% of Band 14 rolled out to communities nationwide, and more than 100 apps and 100 devices,” FirstNet Authority Executive Director Edward Parkinson said last week at CES 2020. Band 14 is the dedicated spectrum that AT&T is using for FirstNet.

Earlier this week, AT&T announced an agreement to provide 5G services and access through FirstNet at the Nellis Air Force Base in southern Nevada.

It’s unclear why Verizon’s small cell naval deployments are riding on 4G LTE. The operator said the installations “lay the groundwork” for 5G at the naval bases, but it did not provide further details about how the evolution to 5G will occur. Verizon and Naval Base Point Loma did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Verizon has worked with the military for decades to support mission-critical communication capabilities,” said Mike Maiorana, SVP of the public sector at Verizon, in a prepared statement. “With this small cell installation, we are building a more responsive, agile, and secure network to meet the Navy’s communication needs and are laying the groundwork for the Navy to leverage 5G technology down the road.”

Verizon deployed 5G service in parts of 31 cities before the end of 2019 and the operator named San Diego as one of six additional cities to gain access to 5G soon.