Internet Innovation Alliance pushes broadband access for military families

The IIA (Internet Innovation Alliance) is advocating for increased broadband access for military families.  Their purpose is to provide a means of communication between families and military personnel who are stationed overseas and/or in war zones.

With military deployments, the families without a broadband connection will not be able to exchange videos and family pictures with their loved ones and be able to keep in touch.  When family members are put in harms way, the family can receive a degree of comfort in being able to see and talk with their loved ones.

This also can result in improved troop morale as the soldiers are able to reach out and communicate and even see their family.

With free communications tools like Skype, video conferencing is a great way to communicate.  Troops on long deployments can see their children grow up.  Young children can also see and talk with their deployed parent.

For veterans returning from the war and overseas operations, broadband access may even affect their health.  Built In Chicago reports that “The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Telehealth has served more than 200,000 veterans through its clinic-based program, and more than 50,000 patients are enrolled in the VA’s Home Telehealth program.”

Add to this that many returning veterans also start attending school or college to develop or just refresh their employable skills.  Many college and schools also have web-based courses.  Both of these require a good broadband connection to get the most out of your courses.

Kudos to the IIA for pushing to have the recently reconfigured USF (Universal Service Fund) to include broadband access for our veterans.  I advocate providing all veterans complete medical, retirement and broadband for life as a reward for serving their country.