Under a pilot program launched last month at Fort Riley, soldiers living in barracks, will be able to take advantage of free Wi-Fi. (1st Infantry Division/Facebook)
The Army’s first effort to deliver free wireless internet to soldiers living in barracks — part of a military-wide mandate — has exceeded expectations among troops at Fort Riley, Kan.
In less than one month, 807 soldiers have signed up for the free service, said Maj. Guster Cunningham, 1st Infantry Division spokesman. That’s above the 769 sign-ups anticipated at this point in the pilot program involving 11 barracks buildings.
“We believe Fort Riley is the best place to live, raise a family, deploy and return to in this region. The provision of free Wi-Fi that works helps send a clear message to our soldiers who reside in the barracks; we are committed to improving their quality of life at Fort Riley,” Cunningham said in a statement.
The Army launched the pilot program in January in response to a congressional mandate to get broadband internet access to the junior enlisted troops in unaccompanied housing as part of the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, an annual law that lays out Pentagon priorities. The other military services, too, have begun to meet the requirement with the Navy the furthest along in the process.
It has free Wi-Fi available at roughly 88% of its unaccompanied housing and expects to reach nearly all barracks by the end of 2027, according to Navy Installations Command.
The next bases in line for internet are Naval Support Activity Naples and Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy and Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Greece, said Destiny Sibert, spokeswoman for Navy Installations Command. Exact dates are still pending finalized contracts.
As of Dec. 31, 78% of residents in participating buildings were enrolled in the free Wi-Fi program, Sibert said. Sailors can also upgrade for a fee to get faster download speeds — though about 68% stick with the free plan, she said.
The Air Force has a plan in development that would get internet service to dorms about 20% of its bases by the end of September, said Laurel Falls, spokeswoman for the Air and Space Forces. This would include Wi-Fi in common spaces of unaccompanied housing.
The Air Force would add 25% coverage in fiscal year 2027 and the remaining installations in the following year, she said.
“The DAF is committed to accelerating this schedule where it can. Internet connectivity will ensure residents can pursue educational opportunities, manage personal administrative tasks, and stay connected with friends and family, among other things,” Falls said.
The Marine Corps said it is developing its plan as well.
Next in the Army for a pilot program is Fort Wainwright, Alaska, in the spring, the service said. The effort will test bringing Wi-Fi to “a remote and isolated environment.”
“Soldiers in permanent-party barracks across the United States can expect to start seeing free Wi-Fi plans around 2027, pending funding,” the Army said.
