Misawa residents to get new phone, Internet services Published Feb. 1, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Kelly White 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Shortly after Feb. 15, base residents will receive a new, 10-digit home phone number, as Misawa Air Base gets ready to switch its telephone and Internet service provider. "The base is making this switch because the use of DSN phone numbers for unofficial use is no longer authorized," said Anna Iosefo, AAFES general manager, Misawa Base Exchange. "What's happening on Misawa is that both the current phone and Internet services will terminate March 30 and Verizon Business will become the new base provider for both residential phone and Internet service." The new phone numbers will be Japanese, said Ms. Iosefo, but on-base calling will continue to be free, and the way residents place calls to the United States will be done the same way it is now. Additionally, the switch brings with it 100 free minutes of calling to the United States each month, as well as free emergency service, voicemail service, call waiting, call forwarding, call blocking and caller identification. While residents' new phone numbers will automatically take effect, their Internet service will only continue if they have signed up for this service prior to the cutoff by filling out an application at the BX customer service department. "There is no deadline for signing up," Ms. Iosefo said. "However, Verizon would like to mail customers a self-install kit so that they can 'plug and play' on the day of the cutover." Although residents will have to sign up for the install kit, the benefits under the new contract surpass the current service. Misawa's North Area residents may find they are quite pleased with Internet speed that is nearly 10 times faster than what they currently have. Residents in the North Area currently have only 1.5 megabits per second, which can be increase up to 12 megabits per second with the Verizon service, Ms. Iosefo added. "Our goal has been to make this necessary change in such a way that we've secured the best value available for Misawa residents," Ms. Iosefo said. "And as we get ready for the actual switch, we want to make it as easy as possible for them." Pricing information and answers to frequently asked questions are available via the following links. Verizon Phone Support Pricing Telephone FAQs Internet FAQs