Beitrag Do 27. Mai 2021, 04:59

To Those Who Give Everything, T-Mobile Gives Connectivity

To Those Who Give Everything, T-Mobile Gives Connectivity

Bild

When we talk about the digital divide — that gap between those with easy access to internet connectivity and those without — we too often fail to include military veterans in the conversation. But the fact is, more than two-thirds of America’s veterans live in rural areas where reliable, high-speed broadband connectivity is limited. Caught on the wrong side of the digital divide, they’re left without the means to access remote work, distance learning, telehealth and other online essentials.

This is a real problem for America’s military community — and there’s no better time to talk about it than now.

May is Military Appreciation Month, a time to recognize the contributions made by veterans, active-duty soldiers, National Guard and Reservists and their families. At T-Mobile we take it a bit further, doing our part to give back to those who selflessly serve our country. As a leading telecommunications company, we believe it’s our responsibility to ensure they can enjoy all the benefits that broadband connectivity brings.

Bridging the digital divide for all Americans, veterans included, is more important than ever. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently reported that VA telehealth visits increased by 1,180% since the start of the pandemic. As of January 6 of this year, the VA provided more than 20,000 digital divide consultations enabling more than 12,000 veterans to receive internet access or a video-enabled device for their care needs.

Despite the spike in use, one of the biggest remaining obstacles to delivering telehealth is a lack of sufficient or affordable broadband service in areas where veterans live. The VA estimates that 15% of veteran households lack an internet connection, with many others lacking a reliable enough connection for basic necessities like job interviews, schoolwork and telehealth. And many veterans have disabilities that require them to travel dozens or even hundreds of miles to see a doctor.

Read More : pg slot