http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/ Engadget Comments for Aruba Networks, Babylon provide WiFi for US soldiers in Iraq http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 24th 2008 3:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 24th 2008 3:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 24th 2008 3:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 24th 2008 4:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 24th 2008 3:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 24th 2008 3:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/
I reckon. Geez they are just admirable. they have been awarded a contract (by the US government) which will pay them 10 times more than what is necessary! and they have accepted. Good on ya 'Babylon' and 'Aruba' telecoms. How have they stepped up? they were probably in desperate competition with like 1000 other companies who were offering.
As soon as Haliburton said they would not do it the Gov prob just picked these two out of a hat.

]]>Sep 24th 2008 5:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 24th 2008 11:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Oct 5th 2008 3:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/
Luckily for the soldiers in Balad, there are several 'unauthorized' services that won't be horribly overpriced, and at least provide some diversity. Many times, soldiers who are a bit knowledgeable in the IT dept will buy a VSAT system and farm out wired internet access. (protip: wireless sucks when you've got hummers driving around with RF jammers)]]>Sep 24th 2008 3:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 24th 2008 3:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 27th 2008 5:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 24th 2008 6:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 24th 2008 7:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 24th 2008 11:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 24th 2008 9:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 24th 2008 9:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/
By the way, I wonder why engadjet didn't report the fact that our soldiers are being charged for this service. I found out by reading the press release. ]]>Sep 24th 2008 10:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 24th 2008 10:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/
It works pretty well - costs between $50 and $189 a month depending on the speed that you choose. I have used the $100 a month package for several months, and been satisfied overall - it is nice to have the internet to myself in my little room. By the way, I use Tigris Net.

There is another company (that is sanctioned by the base - mine comes from a semi-authorized source) called USComz that is also here but I have not used them.

I don't mind paying the money. Really. Do I wish it was a tad cheaper - sure. Do I think they folks offering this are making a killing? Absolutely. However, like anything else, things cost more. An AT&T phone card here costs a lot more to use than in the U.S., and folks don't complain about that. They are just happy that they can call home from the phone banks here.

Additionally, there are internet cafes at every base that are run by the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation offices (MWR). Additionally, nearly every remote outpost has a SPAWARE cafe, which allows internet for free and phone calls for very cheap.

So, that is what I know to be true here. It's not perfect, but it is not bad.

Cheers (from Iraq)

Major Chris

P.S. Lest ye feel bad for me, I should be out of here in a few weeks, as my tour is almost done.]]>Sep 24th 2008 1:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://oif.spawareurope.net/news_3-10-2003.htm - now upwards of 700+ cafes throughout Iraq and Afghanistan - each cafe has about 20 computers (which are free to use) and 6 VoIP phones with service being provided by IDT at around $0.04 a minute to the States.

At one point AAFES only sold AT&T phone cards, the cards that use to charge $0.21 a minute to the States http://blog.tomevslin.com/2006/03/att_is_ripping_.html - didn't they do the same for for-pay Internet cafes?]]>Sep 24th 2008 1:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Sep 24th 2008 8:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/
This would be perfect to use your iPhone on to even call home via VOIP.]]>Sep 25th 2008 2:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/aruba-networks-babylon-provide-wifi-for-us-soldiers-in-iraq/Who's replaced nazis these days with their whole world domination policy? The answer is simple - US of A.

Bush must be in jail by the UN law after ending of his presidency - that is the real justice. But i don't think that this will happen...

How many people in the world american government needs to kill - to provide quiet and stable life in their country?
Billions and billions...as dollars that they already lost and spent.]]>Sep 27th 2008 7:20PM