Verizon extends Texas fish and wildlife deal

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has extended a contract with Verizon Business for an automated system to process hunting and fishing licenses.

The company has held the contract since September 2000. The five-year extension is valued at about $15 million, according to Verizon. Under the contract, the company provides the network architecture, data hosting and customized database applications for the system.

More than 1,900 retail license agents use the system, called the Texas License Connection, to process applications. It also allows hunters and anglers to purchase licenses 24 hours a day by phone or online. The system is for residents and nonresidents who want to be licensed in the state, said Alex Coleman, group president of Verizon Business’ government and education organization.

When someone purchases a license, the system updates a central database with the relevant information. Verizon also provides help-desk support for license sales agents statewide.