Internet upgrades to begin this fall

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Derek VanHorn
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Misawa residents can look forward to faster commercial internet here after a memorandum was signed between the 35th Fighter Wing and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.

The upgrades are scheduled to take place between Oct. 1 and March 31, 2014, and include the installation of a fiber optic network which will be maintained by AAFES providers utilizing already-existing substructure.

The company set to perform installations, Allied Telesis, will follow an aggressive timeline to ensure all areas of the base are reached in a timely manner. Various sections - not individual homes -- of the base will be worked, and all residents within these sections will be notified prior to the cutover for installation scheduling.

Members of the 35th Communications Squadron here played a significant role in the preparation process by ensuring the government was protected and customers were getting a good product by drafting, reviewing, and coordinating the memorandum of agreement, according to Maj. Reid Novotny, 35 CS commander.

Novotny said the squadron will continue to support aspects of the current and new infrastructure but the majority will be not seen by the customers on base.

"This should change every aspect of Misawa Air Base's quality of life," said Novotny, citing online education, home entertainment and overseas communication as key areas this improvement will benefit.

"This is a major quality of life improvement for the community," said Shirley Huth, Misawa Exchange general manager.

Huth said the new service will provide a "triple play" impact, and "the community can expect a significantly improved and faster internet service, enhanced calling plans and premium television."

"This is the largest quality of life project to ever hit here because every aspect of life in the 21st century will improve, especially bringing us closer to those who are deployed and to our families in the U.S.," Novotny concluded.

Because of the volume of necessary upgrades, Huth asked that tenants be patient while upgrades take place. The Exchange here will be the point of contact for any questions or concerns, and can be reached at 616-6085.