DHI Telecom, LLC is a US commercial Internet service provider (ISP) that operates on U.S. and NATO bases in the Middle East including Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. DHI provides wired, fiber-optic cable, mobile Wi-Fi, and wireless commercial Internet access to US, coalition armed forces, direct-hire DoD, Department of the Army and State Department civilians, authorized civilian contractors, and international businesses participating in Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom. DHI has additional operations in the UAE, Jordan, The Congo, Poland and Romania.
Summary
DHI Telecom competed against scores of companies for a contract with the DOD. On October 26, 2010 DHI was awarded a long-term DoD contract under the Army & Airforce Exchange Service, (The Exchange). As of September 2019, the company's operations on US and NATO bases throughout Afghanistan and Iraq are located in Baghdad, Kirkuk, and Um Qasr in Iraq and Bagram Airfield, Jalalabad, Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar e-Sharif, Camp Dwyer and Shindand Air Base in Afghanistan. DHI technology is also sold at The Exchange stores at major bases in Europe and the U.S.
Services
ISP services offer seven packages tiered by download speed and length of each plan. The different plans range from 24-hour service, up to 30 days of unlimited service. Businesses supporting US/NATO missions can opt for small business plans.
In 2017 DHI Telecom launched Sapphire International Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots. The pocket-sized devices use CloudSIM technology to connect in 130+ countries without SIM cards and local carrier plans. The Sapphire device connects to the strongest cellular signal and provides a secure Wi-Fi hub with up to 4G LTE speeds and can connect up to five internet devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets to a private hub. https://www.sapphirego.com/
Access
Users can auto-obtain wireless connectivity using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)-IP addressing. Upon launching their Internet browser, subscribers are redirected to a captive portal homepage where they can either sign up for a new account, or logon to an existing account. Android and iOS mobile apps for Sapphire data plans are also available.
Technology
In each area of operation, technicians position a satellite earth station and erect and operate a main communication tower. Sectoral flat panel antennas affixed to the main tower provide 360-degree coverage for up to three square kilometers. A point-to-multi-point or terrestrial fiber optic backbone distributes and allocates bandwidth throughout the combat living areas. Each communication tower transmits an encrypted “invisible” signal through the use of licensed frequencies to commercial-grade wireless router antennas and wireless access points located throughout each US base. Data is encrypted between the company's hosts using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)-256 encryption algorithm. Sapphire mobile Wi-Fi devices are designed for 4G LTE speeds.
Criticisms
Costs
Operating an ISP inside war zones is costly due to the remote infrastructure, unconventional methodology, danger placed upon employees in harm's way and use of satellites that are required to get the bandwidth in and out of the OIF theatre. None of these constraints exist in the U.S. and other developed parts of the world. Also, bandwidth costs in the U.S. and elsewhere are nowhere near those found in Iraq because of America's Internet and Wi-Fi infrastructure, the surplus of fiber optic backbones and high speed cable lines to propagate bandwidth. With the infrastructure in place now within these camps, the Garrison Command ensures no soldier directly interferes, tampers, or destroys any of the wireless capabilities the Sniperhill contract has brought. The most common repair to such equipment is from normal wear and tear from the excessive heat and sand. Occasionally interference occurs from the hosting teleport.
Soldiers performing logistical operations within DHI's area of operation temporarily RON (rest overnight) at these camps. The "Target Practice" service is the most widely used option for the troops whose obligations involve convoy movement, as their stay is most likely to be less than 48 hours. This service costs $10 a day.