Yokosuka rec area gets wi-fi hot spots

Petty Officer 3rd Class Steven Shepard uses the free wireless Internet connection on the third floor at Yokosuka’s Fleet Recreation Center Monday. There are about a dozen spots on base with free Wi-Fi access. (Allison Batdorff / Stars and Stripes)

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — Want to use Yokosuka Naval Base’s free Wi-Fi? No porn, no piracy — no problem.

Instead of availing themselves to all the Internet has to offer, those using Yokosuka Naval Base’s new free service must accept a disclaimer discouraging inappropriate online activities.

Not every Wi-Fi provider issues guidelines for use, but the Morale, Welfare and Recreation department and the base wanted some discretion over what kind of service they were providing, said Wi-Fi project manager Jason Symak.

“We don’t want families walking through the park and catching something obscene that someone was downloading on the Internet,” Symak said. “This protects us and them.”

Users must refrain from pornographic, racist, hateful and subversive Web sites; distributing secured information; pirating material; creating or transmitting software viruses; or doing anything violating the Joint Ethics Regulation. The agreement also indemnifies the MWR Wireless Network from connection losses and consequential damages.

After reading the two-page agreement outlining these rules, users click “accept” and are online.

Providing Wi-Fi became a base priority this year. The base’s existing system, run at a profit through the Japan Enhanced Network Services Corp., cost sailors $10-$50 a month and was available only in a few locations.

Now there are WAPs, or wireless access points, in more than a dozen places, including all indoor clubs at Yokosuka, Ikego and Negishi, plus outside in parks and poolside.

Fireman Apprentice Timothy Johnston uses it to chat, e-mail and keep track of his finances. “I like free wireless,” Johnston said. “It saves me a little money and helps me keep in touch with my family and friends back home.”

Seaman Carlos Williams prefers JENS’ J-spots, as they offer upgraded service needed by “hard-core gamers,” he said.

“For gamers, the faster, more reliable connection is worth the $50 a month,” Williams said.

Although the Spectrum Single Sailors Lounge has desktop computers, Seaman Jonathan Sperling and Seaman Recruit Justin Dupuis prefer the WAPs, they said Monday. They like the mobility, they said.

“Free wireless is awesome,” Dupuis said. “You can just take your computer and do your own thing.” Accepting the agreement beforehand is “not a problem,” they said.

“It’s the price you pay for free Internet,” Sperling said.

WiFi at Yokosuka

Yokosuka Naval Base’s high-speed wireless Internet is available at:

Club Alliance Sports Bar

Chief Petty Officers Club’s Cove Bar

Officers’ Club’s Kurofune Sports Lounge

Spectrum Liberty Center

Fleet Recreation Center — third floor

Yokosuka Library

Yokosuka Bowling Center

Green Beach pool deck

Negishi All Hands’ Club