Wi-fi has lift off at Oxfordshire RAF base

BT delivers communications boost to RAF Brize Norton families and servicemen and women; 
UK’s busiest military base is first in England to land new wireless network 

Servicemen and women and their families at an Oxfordshire military base will be able to stay in touch more easily and quickly following the launch of a new high- 
speed wireless (wi-fi) network by BT today (Tuesday). 

It’s the largest wi-fi system of its kind to be deployed at an MOD site in England. This military-owned network cost approximately £885,000 to install and will 
provide enough bandwidth to enable thousands of people to communicate at the same time using almost any device. 

Furthermore, it will be a boost for thousands of servicemen and women passing through RAF Brize Norton, enabling them to contact loved ones before 
being posted overseas. 

At the same time the network will also enable the 6,000 personnel based at RAF Brize Norton (the largest station in the RAF) to stay in touch more 
easily with civilian friends, family and other RAF friends located worldwide. 

Access to the wi-fi network in the main airport terminal and Gateway House will be provided by BT free for the next five years. 

The network also covers the permanent accommodation blocks and communal areas across the station, where it will be free for BT Broadband users, 
with monthly pay-as-you-go options also available. 

Around 600 wireless access points (WAPs) have been installed to ensure coverage across the vast site, which connect to one of 57 main wireless control 
points. 

Squadron Leader David Riley said: “Whatever we can do to make our servicemen and women feel more comfortable and valued is vitally important to us. 

“Providing wi-fi access is certainly going to improve the quality of life for everyone at RAF Brize Norton.” 

Peter Cowen, BT’s regional partnership director for Oxfordshire and the South East, said: “We know how important staying connected is for people in their 
everyday lives, but it becomes even more important if you’re returning from or going on tour. 

“Supporting our servicemen and women and their families by bringing wi-fi access to RAF Brize Norton is something we’re really proud to be doing.” 

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