Moody improving internet, dorm resident’s quality of life

  • Published
  • By Airman Greg Nash
  • 23d WG/PA
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The frustrations of approximately 600 dorm residents experiencing poor or no internet and cable services came to an end July 17, here.

For over a year, these Airmen have expressed the opinions of their personal lives being negatively affected due to feeling disconnected from their family and friends. These individuals weren't able to utilize social media, participate in online gaming and further their education with online college courses.

"Without internet in the dorms, I feel like I can't do anything," said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Raqeeb Hall, 23d Component Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeyman. "I'm far away from home and can't even use webcams or apps on my phone to see my family. I also like online gaming with friends back home but can't do that either.

"My cell phone bill increases every month as I go over my data plan using the internet," Hall added.  "I'd probably save around $100 a month if I had internet in my room. I could save that money to actually see my family and friends in person when I take leave. It's affecting my personal life a lot by not having internet access."

The effects of poor quality of life conditions for the dorm residents haven't gone unnoticed by Moody's leadership. The 23d Communications Squadron is working with a new service provider to implement more efficient commercial internet and television service which will be available to all of these Airmen by late August.

"It was brought to the attention of wing leadership through the dorm council that Airmen in the dorms expressed their concerns about having no or poor internet," said Maj. Patrick Reagan, 23d Communications Squadron commander. "It's a quality of life concern. Dorm residents should be able to have the options such as interacting online with social media and gaming at an affordable rate with quality service."

The 23d CS has attempted to create better opportunities for Airmen to enjoy commercial internet by bringing in other providers.

"I've been in negotiations with providers for over a year trying to bring improved services for the dorm residents," said Jeffrey Ley, 23d CS telecommunication specialist. "We've constantly tried to persuade different companies of how profitable providing on base services would be but they weren't interested.

"However, we're happy to finally come to an agreement with another provider who feels our needs and customer base will successfully accommodate their business venture," added Ley. "We wanted to give the Airmen options and now we can accomplish that with a second provider."

Airmen can expect connective service as the construction for the infrastructure expands.

"Not all Airmen will have the new internet accessibility at the same time," said Ley. "Resident customers near dorm management [buildings 545, 546, 548, 549, and 593] will experience service first followed by buildings 570, 572, 573, and 577. The 300 series dorms will experience service last by the end of August."

The company will charge a $75 activation fee while providing dorm resident customers a 10 percent military discount on the monthly bill.

Information on signing up and activation services will be made available soon.