Atlantic keeps families in touch

Atlantic Broadband is working to keep military families in touch with their loved ones.

Several years ago, the cable and Internet service provider introduced Operation Mail Call, a public service project that offers free high-speed Internet to the immediate family members of military servicemen and women who are serving in the Persian Gulf or Afghanistan war zone.

"It's simply a small token of our appreciation for what others are doing," said Sam McGill, vice president and general manager of Atlantic Broadband. "With troop rotations ongoing in Iraq and additional deployments planned for Afghanistan, some local military families might not be aware of this important communications resource available at no charge through Operation Mail. That is why we are reaching out once again to expand the program's reach, asking military families, or those who know of any, to contact us," he said.

Those eligible get Atlantic Broadband's Preferred High-Speed Internet service with up five e-mail accounts, as well as a free cable modem, installation and maintenance.

"Through Operation Mail Call, families here can exchange e-mail and instant messages with their loved ones any time of the day or night, and our high-speed broadband service makes it possible to share family photos, video and even their children's drawings, or to talk face to face via video chat with a web cam," McGill said.

More than 200 military families in the company's East Coast service area have taken advantage of the free Internet service since Atlantic Broadband launched Operation Mail Call. According to McGill, to begin Operation Mail Call, servicemen or women or their family members simply have to provide deployment papers to Atlantic Broadband. The service is extended the length of the deployment.

To get the service, customers may call Atlantic Broadband at (888) 301-8649.

Contact April Bailey at abailey@aikenstandard.com.