Japan Telecom Company has announced plans to cease operations at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, opening the door for a new wireless option, according to base officials.
A contract held with Iwakuni’s Marine Corps Community Services has expired, and Japan Telecom will terminate services effective Dec. 12.
The base plans to use Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation to provide broadband wireless services after Japan Telecom departs, said Ashleigh Pipes, Community Services marketing director.
The departure ends residential dial-up Internet service for on-base customers and those in other areas with e-mail addresses ending in ika.attmil.ne.jp. About 1,100 customers will be affected.
Applications for the NTT service will be accepted starting Nov. 1, she said, with wireless service available by Dec. 1.
“The 12-day transition period ensures that current MCAS Iwakuni Internet users who sign up for the new NTT wireless service will not experience a break in accessibility,” Pipes said.
Japan Telecom services between Dec. 1 and Dec. 12 will be free, she added.
Japan Telecom’s telecommunications center will remain open through Nov. 30 to accept payments. Starting Dec. 1 through Dec. 12, hours will change and no Internet services will be available in the shop.
The December hours will be 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Customers using the annual payment plan can pick up refunds for unused months of service at the center between Nov. 15 and Dec. 12, the release stated.
