Boingo 5G cell tower connectivity at Helemano Military Reservation

The Good Stuff


01/16/2025

Boingo Wireless Brings 5G Connectivity to U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii

By Team Boingo
  • Case Study
  • 3 min read

Located approximately five miles north of Wahiawa is U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii’s Helemano Military Reservation (HMR). HMR provides military housing for approximately 2,000 service members and families stationed at Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield. 

CHALLENGE


Located in a remote location that struggled with inadequate cell coverage, HMR required a robust and reliable 5G network to support base connectivity demands and provide reliable coverage for communication and mobile usage.  

Joining from the Exchange was Pacific Region Commander Col. Jason Beck.

SOLUTION 


Boingo launched a new multi-carrier cellular tower, nicknamed the “Dragon Tower,” at HMR to enhance wireless service for military families, personnel and visitors. The tower infrastructure designed, constructed and managed by Boingo Wireless provides 5G coverage for AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.  

“As professionals in the field of communication, we understand the significance of this HMR cellphone tower in our close-knit community,” said 307th Expeditionary Signal Battalion – Enhanced Commander Lt. Col. Izabella Lundy. “This infrastructure will provide our Soldiers and their families with reliable access to emergency services, facilitate communication with loved ones, and support the seamless conduct of daily business.” 

Boingo’s cellular tower is on the grounds of HMR Express store in the center of the reservation and earned the nicknamed “Dragon Tower” for the 307th ESB-E, which is headquartered on HMR. HMR is one of 13 new or in-progress Boingo cell towers being built to enhance connectivity for military communities throughout U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii.  

OUTCOME 


The tower infrastructure is a significant improvement for quality of life and mission critical efforts as it brings improved cell reception to a location that had inadequate connectivity, giving soldiers, their families and base operations faster and more reliable mobile coverage. Boingo deployed the tower in partnership with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). 

Rebecca Gray, senior vice president and general manager, military at Boingo Wireless, said: “Nothing is more fulfilling than serving military communities with wireless coverage that enhances daily quality of life and enables Soldiers to communicate with loved ones. We’re extremely proud to work with AAFES and base leaders to simplify complex tower deployments and build a remarkable 13 new cell towers in Hawaii. These towers, all with Tier One carrier service, will dramatically enhance much-needed cellular connectivity for base operations, and all those working and living on base.” 

Boingo is the Department of Defense’s (DoD) trusted partner, providing cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity at more than 100 Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and Homeland Security Training Center locations worldwide. The company supports the DoD by designing, building and managing technology-agnostic communication infrastructure that meet the unique needs of U.S. military bases and their mission. 

Learn more about Boingo’s military and tower solutions here.