Why is there a lack of internet options at many installations?

2021-05-31T20:19:28-04:00

Has anyone wondered about limited internet options at many Military Installations? Ive lived on five different bases and it seems that at least half if not most only have one choice or possibility for internet providers if you live on base. Is this some sweetheart deal that someone in the DOD makes? Seems like its highly questionable and unfair to the service members living on that base. Monopolies are not good for the consumers. Any insight would be great because its bugged me for years.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2021 8:30 PM

2021-05-31T20:30:53-04:00

Pretty much. Service providers get a contract with the base to be the sole provider in most cases. I remember back in the 90s Sprint was the sole phone provider for Fort Lewis. They werw terrible and they would frequently mix up charges to different lines, sometimes for hundreds of dollars. There were times we would return from a month in the field to find charges for long distance calls that couldn't have possibly been made. You couldn't dispute it, you had to pay for it, and you couldn't clear until you did.