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Internet

by Herman Cruz
(Camp Phoenix)

Dear Sir/Ma'am,

I am currently stationed with JTF-435 onboard Camp Phoenix. I dont understand why we have to pay exobitant prices for extremely painfully slow internet. I understand that nothing is free and we pay for such niceties which most of us would call moral building services funded by each service member. However, the rpice should reflect the level of service provided. $70 is not a reasonable price to pay nor is $100 for what we get out here. It is hard for me to imagine that there isnt a better course of action available out there like VSAT or other satellite based ISP that can drive the price down.

Why does AAFES insist on maintaining a contract with the current company that provide mediocre speed at best for rediculous prices gouging the poor Soldier/Airmen/Sailor/Marine of their hard earned money? In my opinion this is a classic case of profiteering on the backs of the men and women who lay their lives on the line. AAFES should be ashamed for not looking out for the servicemebers.

Despite efforts from those currently on the post AAFES still refuses to help the very people they claim to serve.

I think it is time for AAFES to put there money where their mouth is and provide some much needed morale boost to the men and women on this post and any other post with same lack of quality internet services.

VR,
Herman Cruz

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Internet=MWR
by: Anonymous

Since Internet access could arguably be an MWR service, why isn't internet access one of those MWR programs? We don't need a state-of-the-art gym every 6 months or whatever and what percentage of the troops actually use the pool at some of these posts? I'll bet many would rather have better access to friends and family back home via the internet, if nothing else. Isn't keeping in touch with friends & family part of MWR? AAFES makes a lot of money and dumps a lot of it into new gym equipment, services etc. It would be nice if AAFES & MWR would dump some of that into internet access rather than a bunch more $2000 stairmasters....

The internet is a bit of a different animal than buying products. The internet comes from Satellites controlled by various Nations. There is only so much bandwidth available. The only way AAFES could get enough bandwidth to satisfy everyone who wants it, is to put up their own Satellite. That is not going to happen. The best thing to do is for our Leaders to do would be to bring our people home.

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AAFES
by: Matthew

Your concern is noted. I was a vendor in Iraq and so I believe I can help clear this up.

When a vendor wants to offer a service on base they have to go through AAFES.

AAFES requires a payment of about 20-30% of the total revenues. This of course is added to the price of the product being offered.

This fee is gathered to back into the Military's MWR fund which pays for the MWR programs that are on many of the bases in the Middle East.

As far as the internet goes and the speed. You should be glad you have what you have. I was there in a time when there was no internet service at all.

You are in war zone. Be happy you have what you do have. It could be much worse.

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