Monday, 19 November 2007

SPAWAR Europe awards new MWRnet Internet and Phone Service Contract

On 1 December 2007 a new company, DRS Technologies Inc., will take over operation, support, and maintenance of the MWR Internet Cafes in Iraq under Governmental direction of SPAWAR Europe. SPAWAR Europe is working diligently with both the current and the new company to ensure the transition is executed as seamlessly as possible, with a minimal impact on the operation of the Internet Cafes and the troops ability to access the Internet and make morale calls.

As part of the transition, the current company will stop selling long distance minutes for the MWRnet Iraq Program on 1 December 2007 and users will be able to purchase new long distance minutes from DRS.

To ensure the troops can continue making phone calls during the transition period, SPAWAR Europe and DRS will honor the existing MC Dean cards through 28 February 2008. However, starting 29 February 2008, only the new DRS long distance accounts will be supported on the Iraq MWR network. The users will, however, be able to make calls using existing long distance accounts while in the US.

If you have a MC Dean account PIN, we strongly encourage you to use the balance on the account during this timeframe:

• Use the card as you normally do
• On or after 1 December 2007, log-in to the Account Center and disable the Automatic Recharge feature, to ensure that funds are not automatically added to your expiring account after 1 December 2007
• When your existing card balance is exhausted, create a new account and purchase new long distance minutes by following the Purchase Minutes link at the top of the page at http://oif.spawareurope.net

Long Distance Rates

DRS will honor the current long distance rate of 4 cents per minute for calls to the Continental United States (CONUS) and Germany (excluding mobile phones). Rates for calls to mobile phones and to other International destinations may vary. Current rates will be posted on the official MWRNet Iraq website.