AFA wifi service?

BarbieK

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Mar 27, 2017
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Was looking through the forums but didn't see any new posts regarding Internet service. My DS is heading to Colorado Springs this summer as a new cadet and I know he will not have access to his phone during BCT. However once he gets his phone back in August I was wondering about Internet service as we have limited shared data on our plan. Do not want to get one of those "shocker" bills from AT&T showing that we've went way over our data. I been told a couple of different things. Was told by one person that they could purchase Internet service monthly for eight dollars then somebody else said they can not purchase internet service but that they can go to one of the halls to use it as needed. Does anybody out there know the situation with Internet service? I am trying to make the best informed decision I can regarding our phone/data plan.
 
BarbieK,

Starting last year, WiFi/Internet service is available for the cadets to purchase for a monthly fee, I believe about to $19 / month. Usually, roommates share the cost so it is closer to $9 - $10 / month, if only two people in a room.
 
BarbieK,

Starting last year, WiFi/Internet service is available for the cadets to purchase for a monthly fee, I believe about to $19 / month. Usually, roommates share the cost so it is closer to $9 - $10 / month, if only two people in a room.
Thank You. :)
 
That is interesting, most colleges give the kids free internet in their dorms. My son is at Purdue and the whole school is wired for wifi, regardless if you live in the dorm or not.
 
There used to be a USAFA wifi in Fairchild and wired connections in the dorms. It was a massive effort to just get commercial internet (we kept hearing rumors when I was there, but alas it didn't happen til I graduated, at least not in my dorm). I would have HAPPILY paid a lot more for good solid internet
 
That is interesting, most colleges give the kids free internet in their dorms. My son is at Purdue and the whole school is wired for wifi, regardless if you live in the dorm or not.

Let's see here: PURDUE
Indiana Resident Pays: $20,000 for Tuition/Room Board
Out of state Resident Pays: $38,000 for Tuition/Room Board

AIR FORCE ACADEMY
Residency Irrelevant: FREE Tuition/Room Board, Medical,
Cadet gets PAID Approximately $1,000 per month. (Some initially taken out for certain expenses, but there's still a NET PAY each month)

Considering I don't know of ANY OTHER "Non-Military" school that PAYS YOU to "ATTEND"........ I don't see a problem with $10-$20 a month for a student to pay for (PERSONAL) internet service.

Also need to remember...... "Little Johnny or Janie isn't (GOING OFF TO COLLEGE). They are (IN THE MILITARY). They JOINED the MILITARY. They signed up for a MINIMUM of 9 years. Just so happens, that for their first 4 years, their JOB IS "STUDENT".
 
$160,000+ vs. $900 over a 4 year period out of pocket expense? I would certainly pick Purdue any day of the week so I could keep up on facebook and snapchat. Bobby, is that you?
 
I never said that 20 per month is a lot of money, but if they bother giving you a free education , they then shouldn't nickel and dime you on basic services like internet. The fact that they are in the military as you say only makes my argument even stronger. Should the pilots get charged for fuel every time they take a plane out . Last time I checked, the internet was more than FaceTime and Snapchat but is a useful tool for education
Let's see here: PURDUE
Indiana Resident Pays: $20,000 for Tuition/Room Board
Out of state Resident Pays: $38,000 for Tuition/Room Board

AIR FORCE ACADEMY
Residency Irrelevant: FREE Tuition/Room Board, Medical,
Cadet gets PAID Approximately $1,000 per month. (Some initially taken out for certain expenses, but there's still a NET PAY each month)

Considering I don't know of ANY OTHER "Non-Military" school that PAYS YOU to "ATTEND"........ I don't see a problem with $10-$20 a month for a student to pay for (PERSONAL) internet service.

Also need to remember...... "Little Johnny or Janie isn't (GOING OFF TO COLLEGE). They are (IN THE MILITARY). They JOINED the MILITARY. They signed up for a MINIMUM of 9 years. Just so happens, that for their first 4 years, their JOB IS "STUDENT".
 
The commercial wifi is an option that a cadet chooses to pay for. The free wired internet is still available and free wifi in certain areas of the academy. The commerical wifi was something the cadets choose to have installed and pay for. So to the average snowflake it is a hardship but to these cadets its real life.
 
Free internet is provided for educational purposes, accessible via the cadets government issued laptop.

The optional paid for wifi is for personal use on cell phones and non-government computers.
 
My son is a freshman and he and his roommate split the cost for the higher speed. I think it's 50 a month or 25 each. I'll ask him today.
 
To tag onto Karen359's comment...I believe there are different "levels" or speeds available. Of course, the slower speed is less. It will all depend on what the desire/need is. Gaming may need higher speed, but as a Doolie, you won't have a lot of time for that.
 
I didn't realize they get free wired internet. That changes everything. One question, if they have wired internet, are they restricted from connecting a wifi router and having wifi in their room ? The monthly fee isn't a hardship but to me is surprising.

The commercial wifi is an option that a cadet chooses to pay for. The free wired internet is still available and free wifi in certain areas of the academy. The commerical wifi was something the cadets choose to have installed and pay for. So to the average snowflake it is a hardship but to these cadets its real life.
 
Yes, the regular wired network is for "OFFICIAL USE". It's for their assigned laptop for school work and military things. Think of it as a computer at work. You're not "SUPPOSE" to use it for personal business. And to answer your question; no, they aren't allowed to make a wireless access point out of it and use it for personal. Hence, the reason for the availability of commercial internet service.

The wired network is going through the air force's IT network; routers; firewalls; etc. It's for military purposes. Don't want personal traffic, virus', etc. on it.

But the cadets have all the tools they need to do their job. Network, wired/wireless internet, computer, etc. It's just for their personal use stuff that they need to buy it if they want it.
 
That is interesting, most colleges give the kids free internet in their dorms. My son is at Purdue and the whole school is wired for wifi, regardless if you live in the dorm or not.
Let's see here: PURDUE
Indiana Resident Pays: $20,000 for Tuition/Room Board
Out of state Resident Pays: $38,000 for Tuition/Room Board

AIR FORCE ACADEMY
Residency Irrelevant: FREE Tuition/Room Board, Medical,
Cadet gets PAID Approximately $1,000 per month. (Some initially taken out for certain expenses, but there's still a NET PAY each month)

Considering I don't know of ANY OTHER "Non-Military" school that PAYS YOU to "ATTEND"........ I don't see a problem with $10-$20 a month for a student to pay for (PERSONAL) internet service.

Also need to remember...... "Little Johnny or Janie isn't (GOING OFF TO COLLEGE). They are (IN THE MILITARY). They JOINED the MILITARY. They signed up for a MINIMUM of 9 years. Just so happens, that for their first 4 years, their JOB IS "STUDENT".

Initially I was surprised how the AFA gave an upfront loan for various items i.e.: computer, uniforms, laundry etc. That seemed strange to me but after looking through all the paperwork and understanding what they're doing I think it's great!! I am thrilled that my son is going to be forced to learn how to manage his money on his own - this is the one area where I have struggled and butted heads with him as he thinks he knows it all. It will be good for him to have monthly bills that he needs to be responsible for. The only reason internet access is important to me (other than for school work if they even use it for that) is for communication purposes. If he complains and doesn't think he can afford it, then he can do without it and I can just use the Wright To Me program to communicate with him and he can use a track phone for phone calls - it will be his choice. Awesome that the USAFA wants these boys to become fully independent men and quickly. As far as the public colleges go my DS had what was considered a full ride to one of our in-state universities but that full ride was still going to cost us plenty in the nickel and dime department if you know what I mean. I am looking forward to my DS coming home for Thanksgiving and having a much better concept about the value of money.
 
So USAFA does have civilian wifi that cadets are free to pay for monthly. This wifi can be connected to with phones, which I think is the biggest concern for most. However, it costs closer to $30/month or $50/month depending on the plan and speed you want.

One thing most squadrons are unaware of is that they are allowed to get their own squadron wifi as of this past year. This uses a civilian provider like Comcast and the internet is setup by cadets (normally IT staff) within their squadron. My squad does this and we get good wifi for about $5/month.
 
... One thing most squadrons are unaware of is that they are allowed to get their own squadron wifi as of this past year. ... My squad does this...
Stonewall, would you be willing to share your squadron number. My DS was unaware of this and interested in finding out more. If you prefer not to publish such info in the public forum, I would appreciate a PM. Thanks.
 
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