In honor of National Veterans and Military Families Month, Comcast said it will install free WiFi at up to 100 facilities focused on veterans, part of its Lift  Zones program.   

The Lift Zone program, initiated in 2020, brings WiFi connections outside the home to neighborhood community centers and complements Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, which provides low-cost broadband to eligible consumers inside the home. Both are part of Comcast’s Project UP, a 10-year, $1 billion commitment to reach 50 million people with the tools, resources and skills needed for success in the digital world.

“The Internet is a fundamental tool to participate in today’s increasingly digital economy,” Comcast NBCUniversal senior VP of Military and Veterans Affairs Carol Eggert said in a statement. “Today’s announcement will provide even more Internet access for veterans and military families. Doing so will enable them to participate in workforce development programs, access their well-deserved healthcare benefits, and foster meaningful connections with friends, family, and their fellow veterans.”

Comcast said it has already installed about 25 Lift Zones inside veteran-serving organizations and will continue to work with members of the military community to identify additional locations over the next several months.

Among the veteran  organizations that will receive free WiFi via the Lift Zone program are:

• Veterans Leadership Program, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: helps veterans in 30 counties across Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio with housing, career development, wellness and supportive services. 

• Do Good Multnomah, Portland, Oregon: provides permanent, supportive housing and low-barrier emergency shelter to houseless veterans, as well as one-on-one engagement and supportive services for veterans in need.

• Alpha Omega Veterans Services Inc., Memphis, Tennessee: helps military veterans reintegrate into society, often after achieving recovery and rehabilitation from debilitating mental and physical conditions.

“As we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, having access to the Internet to take advantage of career development searches and support services has grown increasingly important for not only the veteran in need, but their families as well,” Veterans Leadership Program chief development officer Toshua Jarret said in a press release. “We are proud to partner with Comcast through this Lift Zone to help provide the tools needed to help the veteran community succeed during this difficult time and beyond.”

Do Good Multnomah director of permanent supportive housing Jess Gibly added the program is especially important in the COVID-era, where access to internet service is crucial.    

“These Lift Zones give our Veterans in Permanent Supportive Housing, many of whom cannot afford Internet themselves, the chance to get their wellness needs met and participate in online communities that have given people much needed support and connection during COVID,” Gibly said in a statement. ■

Fox Nation is offering one year of free access to all active U.S. military members and veterans. From May 24 to May 31, military personnel can sign up for the streaming service. Fox Nation calls the promotion Grateful Nation. (Click this link for more information.)

Starting May 25, Fox Nation offers themed programming that pays tribute to the military, including Hero Dogs and USA Ink. 

Also Read: Fox News Prime Time Shows Go On Demand Via Fox Nation

“We are honored to celebrate our service men and women by contributing in a small way to those who have sacrificed so much on behalf of our nation,” said Jason Klarman, Fox Nation president. 

Shannon Bream narrates Hero Dogs, about canines who save lives on the battlefield and on the homefront. Season three starts May 25. 

Also Read: Fox News Channel Names Rachel Campos-Duffy 'Fox & Friends Weekend' Co-Host

Three-part documentary series America’s Top Ranger follows elite U.S. soldiers as they compete in the 2021 “Best Ranger” competition. Two-man teams compete in obstacles and range events for 62 non-stop hours. That begins May 27. 

Modern Warriors, hosted by Pete Hegseth, features a conversation that honors the Americans in uniform who sacrificed their lives. That premieres May 28. 

USA Ink is hosted by Johnny “Joey” Jones and examines the history of tattooing, including military personnel getting tattoos after battles. That starts May 28. 

With the war on the pandemic still not won, California’s veterans are at risk of losing access to a mobile internet app, called VA Video Connect, that enables veterans to receive telehealth services without incurring data usage charges. This is a consequence of California’s newly effective "net neutrality" law that flatly prohibits Internet service providers from offering consumers so-called "free data" plans, sometimes also called "sponsored data" or “zero-rated” offerings, unless an entire “category” of supposedly similar services receives the same treatment. 

While government-imposed “net neutrality” mandates may sound superficially appealing in theory, in reality they often harm consumers. In this instance, those harmed may include our veterans.

With free data offerings, access to various Internet content, such as the VA’s telehealth application, is subsidized by the wireless broadband providers or by third party websites and applications. As a result, consumers receive a price break or avoid potential data usage charges. Not surprisingly, the free data programs are popular with consumers, and low-income persons naturally stand to benefit the most. 

For now, California's net neutrality law is the most overreaching in the nation. Its threatened harmful effects should be a cautionary tale, not only for other states, but for the Federal Communications Commission, which likely is considering adopting similar new prohibitions governing Internet service provider offerings. 

According to a March 24 report in Politico, “officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs are privately sounding the alarm that California's new net neutrality law could cut off veterans nationwide from a key telehealth app.” The reason California’s ban on free data offerings likely will impact vets and consumers across the nation is that, unlike traditional voice telephone calls in last century’s analog era, it is highly impractical and burdensome, and in some instances impossible, to segregate interstate and intrastate Internet traffic. Thus, Internet providers, such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Tracfone, and Verizon, that offer the VA Video Connect app, almost always implement uniform nationwide protocols. 

Why would California threaten to make it more costly – and, therefore, more difficult – vets to take advantage of an innovative telehealth program by banning the wireless carriers’ free data programs? Simply put, because of an overly rigid ideological view of what “net neutrality” means. The most rabid net neutrality proponents, including Big Tech companies, persuaded California's legislature that it's somehow wrong for Internet service providers to allow certain content websites and applications, such as the VA’s in this case, to bear some small portion of the massive costs of constructing and operating broadband networks, rather than having consumers bear the entire costs. 

In this view, popular free data offerings supposedly constitute an invidious form of non-neutral “discrimination.” According to this theory, there could be an adverse impact on websites and applications that don’t themselves offer free data programs. An outright ban on these offeringssupposedly protects hypothetical competitors from hypothetical injury from hypothetical discrimination. 

If banning free data apps is a core "net neutrality” principle, then it's one that deserves to be jettisoned. In the technologically dynamic, rapidly evolving, competitive Internet ecosystem, Internet service provider practices should not be categorically restricted based on hypothetical harms. In the real world, free data programs are popular and benefit consumers. The VA Video Connect app is a prime example of such a consumer benefit. 

In light of the embarrassment caused to California by the potential take-down of the VA’s telehealth app, it will not be surprising if the state’s officials reach some interpretative accommodation that creates a “free data” exemption for certain applications, say, those relating to government-provided telehealth applications or “telehealth” sites more generally. That will be good for veterans and perhaps others. 

But the uncertainty that already has been created just serves to illustrate the harm all too likely to ensue when government diktats put Internet service providers into straight jackets that require regulatory contortions to remedy the consumer harm the diktats create in the first place. A regime that requires the government to define and approve specific categories of acceptable websites and apps invites arbitrariness, manipulation, and favoritism. 

The far better course is for Congress, the FCC, and the states to adhere to a policy grounded in Internet freedom that presumptively permits innovative services such as VA Video Connect and other free data offerings. In the event any specific claims are raised that consumers and competition are being harmed, those concerns can be addressed on a case-by-case basis by the Federal Trade Commission or Department of Justice.

Randolph May is President of the Free State Foundation, a think tank in Rockville, Maryland, and Seth Cooper is a Senior Fellow. They are co-editors of the book, A Reader on Net Neutrality and Restoring Internet Freedom.

*This piece was originally published on Real Clear Markets.

History has worked with sponsor Rocket Mortgage to salute a program aimed at ending homelessness among armed services veterans.

A vignette will start appearing Wednesday on History and on social media that talks about Community Solutions’ Built for Zero program and how it nearly eliminated vet homelessness in Lynchburg, Va., one of 80 cities and counties participating.

Two other videos are being produced calling out other towns that have essentially zeroed-out homelessness among those who have served our country.

Rocket Mortgage is lead sponsor amplifying Built for Zero. History and Rocket Mortgage first teamed up to support the program last year. History parent A+E Networks has created other branded content, including billboards, tagged promos and content bridges for Rocket Mortgage that have also appeared on History. A&E and Lifetime, including a Memorial day commemoration.

By collecting data on all of the struggling veterans in the area and making sure they get the services they are entitled to, plus finding places to live in tight housing markets, the program ensures that homelessness is brief, rare and non-recurring.

Additional vignettes will showcase other areas that have achieved “functional zero,” with no veteran living on the street.

“Honoring our veterans is a longtime pillar of the History brand, and telling their stories – the challenges and the triumphs - is both a responsibility and a privilege,” said David DeSocio, executive VP, Ad Sales Marketing & Partnerships at A+E Networks, History’s parent company. “We’re honored to once again partner with Rocket Mortgage to bring awareness to the Built For Zero initiative and to amplify the good work they do battling homelessness in communities across the country.”

Before heading out for their August recess, the House of Representatives last week passed a bill that would allow members of the armed services to terminate their cable, satellite or internet access service when they are deployed or are transferred without having to pay an early-termination fee.

Some states already have their own laws, and there are currently laws that let them get out of rental agreements, auto leases and cell phone contracts.

The bill (H.R. 2409) updates the cell phone contract portion of the Service members Civil Relief Act to include pay TV and internet contracts.

Service members don't have to pay an early termination fee of they are deployed or otherwise have to relocate for at least 90 day. They must return any provider-owned equipment within 10 days after their service, as in cable or 'net service, is disconnected.

The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Ryan Costello (R-Pa.) and Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.).

“When service members and their families receive military orders to deploy or relocate, they should not have to face fees from internet, cable, or other paid television service providers in their moving process,” said Rep. Costello. "This commonsense legislation would implement a federal solution to ensure military families do not have to pay these fees."

Citing the need to pass spending bills, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) last month canceled the Senate's August recess, so the bill could get a Senate vote.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. It will have to move quickly to get a vote before the second week of august since Senators are expected to get a break the first week of August for a home state work period.

Charter said it is expanding its five-state Broadband Technician Apprenticeship Program to its entire 41-state footprint.

The program, designed to employ veterans, includes both physical and digital classroom training, as well as on-the-job training with veterans able to get GI Bill benefits as well as a paycheck while training.

"Our commitment to an outstanding customer experience requires a devotion to craftsmanship among our employees," said Charter president John Bickham. "The veterans who work at Charter are best-in-class when it comes to so many of the key attributes of craftsmanship: punctuality, attention to detail, resourcefulness and communication."

Currently 1,000 Charter employees are enrolled in the program in five states, including Kansas City, Mo.

Missouri governor Eric Greitens, himself a former Navy Seal, planned to be on hand for the expansion announcement in St. Louis Wednesday (May 31).

The ramped up training program comes as Charter also plans to hire 20,000 employees over four years as it repatriates Time Warner Cable call center jobs.

Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.) has introduced a bill to boost broadband access for veterans, saying they should not be left behind in the push for broadband adoption.

McNerney is a member of both the House Communications and Veterans Affairs subcommittees.

The bill, the  Improving Broadband Access for Veterans Act of 2016, would require the FCC to launch a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) into veterans' current access to broadband and what can be done to increase access.

Boosting that access could conceivably piggyback on current Universal Service Fund subsidies since McNerney's office says the NOI would focus on low income veterans and those in rural areas.

"Veterans, who fight tirelessly to protect our country, face many challenges when they return home. Not having internet access makes what is already an incredibly difficult transition process even harder,” said Rep. McNerney in announcing the bill.

The congressman cited a Pew Research study that found that less than half those living below the poverty have broadband access at home. He also cited National Telecommunications & Information Administration figures showing rural adoption lags urban.

“It is critical that we find ways to ensure that the more than 1.4 million veterans living below the federal poverty level and the 5.3 million veterans residing in rural communities have broadband access,” he said. “By directing the FCC to examine current broadband access for veterans and what can be done to increase it, the Improving Broadband Access for Veterans Act will pave the way for getting more veterans online. By further directing the FCC to focus on veterans residing below the federal poverty line and in rural areas, my bill will help make sure these veterans are not left behind.”

Back in March, President Obama announced the ConnectALL initiative "to help Americans from across the country, at every income level, get online and have the tools to take full advantage of the Internet."

McNerney wants to make sure veterans get a seat at the keyboard or a spot in front of the mobile device.

The 2016 Summer Olympics are still several months away, but ESPN will focus its attention this week on another international competition: The Invictus Games, considered by many to be the annual Olympics games for wounded war veterans.

The games, initially launched by the United Kingdom’s Prince Harry in 2014 in London to honor wounded military personnel from around the world, will take place at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports facilities in Orlando, Fla., and feature more than 500 competitors from 14 nations.

ESPN2 kicked off coverage on Sunday (May 8) with the opening ceremonies, and will air a one-hour primetime highlight show today (May 9) and Wednesday night (May 11). ESPN will run a 90-minute primetime show on Tuesday (May 10) featuring action from the games.

Subscription online-video service ESPN3 will air more than 35 hours of live coverage from the games starting today, according to ESPN.

ESPN2’s coverage of the games, created to help inspire recovery and support rehabilitation among wounded warriors, will be sponsored by Land Rover, according to network officials.

“Anytime you can give back to the men and women who gave every measure of themselves to their countries and to help the healing process that they’re going through is a great thing to be part of,” said Invictus Games coordinating producer Bill Bonnell said. “It’s admirable for people to say thank you for your service, but this is part of us being able to give them sport and competition to help the healing process for them.”

Of the 10 sports featured within the Invictus Games, ESPN and ESPN2 will focus its primetime coverage on track and field, swimming, power lifting, rowing and archery events. “We’re going to get as much competition in within the primetime shows that we have,” he said.

ESPN2 will support its coverage with shoulder programming that will highlight the issues that wounded military men and women face. The network will offer nightly “Up Close and Personal” features on several of the competitors, narrated by former ABC News reporter Bob Woodruff, who in 2005 was wounded in a roadside bomb while he was reporting from Iraq.

ESPN2 will air the closing ceremonies live on Thursday night featuring musical performances from Rascal Flatts, American Idol winner Phillip Phillips, hip-hop artist Flo Rida, The Voice’s Jordan Smith, and wounded warrior band, Vetted.

The network is not looking for Olympicssize ratings from its coverage of the Invictus Games, Bonnell said. Rather, it’s looking to bring attention to the plight of wounded veterans in the U.S. and around the world.

“At the end of the day, if we’re able to change attitudes about our military men and women and have people see how inspirational the stories are of these men and women who have served our country, that to me would be a successful broadcast,” he said. “We want to give these people a spotlight.”

ESPN is already in talks to televise next year’s Invictus Games from Toronto, but no deals have been reached.

In the wake of stories about how much spot ads are going for in the Sept. 16 GOP debate (a 4,000% increase), leading candidate Donald Trump has written CNN president Jeff Zucker suggesting the network donate profits from those ads to veterans' groups.

Fox drew debate-record ratings for its Aug. 6 airing of the first Trump vs. the rest of the GOP field debate.

In a letter to Zucker dated Sept. 8, a copy of which Trump tweeted, the Republican candidate said that since he was sure it was his appearance that would be driving viewership -- "this tremendous increase in viewer interest and advertising is due 100% to Donald J. Trump," he bragged -- the network should air the debate as a public service and donate the ad dollars.

Trump said he would soon be supplying Zucker a list of the organizations he was suggesting get the money. "This large contribution of many millions of dollars would be a truly wonderful thing for CNN to do," he added.

No word on whether CNN would take that unusual step -- a spokesperson had not returned a request for comment at press time -- but the likelihood was low, particularly after CNN announced Wednesday it was providing free online and mobile viewing of the TV debate to boost the eyeballs for advertisers seeking more bang for their bucks.

INSP will partner with the Disabled American Veterans organization to produce two short films airing on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27) that pay tribute to wounded veterans and their families, said network officials.

The films – part of the network’s Moments series – includes Unbroken Soldiers: Jason Courneen, which profiles a husband caring for his traumatic brain-injured U.S. Coast Guard wife Alexis (pictured); and Unbroken Solders: Bobby Barrera which chronicles the inspiring story of a Vietnam War Marine Corps veteran and amputee.

“By sharing inspirational stories of our nation’s heroes, recognizing caregivers, connecting veterans with DAV’s free services and enhancing public support and awareness about veterans and the people who support them, this thanks on Thanksgiving is going to help many deserving veterans and their loved ones discover a new sense of hope,” said DAV National Commander Ron Hope in a statement.

HBO will telecast a live concert to honor military veterans on Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11).

The inaugural Concert For Valor concert, hosted by HBO and coffee company Starbucks, will honor the courage and sacrifice of America’s veterans and their families, the network said. The concert, which will take place on the National Mall in Washington D.C. and will look to raise awareness for veterans service organizations, will feature performances from such stars as Eminem, Jamie Foxx, Dave Grohl, Metallica, John Oliver, Rihanna (pictured), Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band, as well as special appearances by Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

HBO will open its feed to affiliates to allow non-HBO subscribers to view the special, said network officials.

“We are honored to play a small role to help raise awareness and support for our service men and women,” said  HBO chairman and CEO Richard Plepler in a statement. “Their immeasurable sacrifice deserves our nation’s gratitude. This event will not only celebrate their service, but help remind Americans of the many challenges they face on and off the battlefield. We are delighted to join with Starbucks in our mutual effort to pay tribute to our veterans and those currently serving in the military.”

In an effort to encourage the employment of military veterans in the cable industry, The Cable and Telecommunications Human Resources Association (CTHRA) has created an Advisory Task Force on Veteran Talent in the Media Industry.

The task force, which will be chaired by Michael Powell, president and CEO of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), seeks to attract, hire and retain military veterans in various employment positions throughout the industry.

Task force members include Will Baas, vice president of talent acquisition for Comcast; Carlos del Castillo, senior vice president of human resources for A+E Networks; Gary McCollum, senior vice president/general manager of Virginia for Cox Communications; Kevin Moore, vice president of telephony for Charter Communications; Kevin Preston, director of the veterans initiative for ESPN Inc. and the Walt Disney Company; Carrie Storer, senior vice president of legal for Discovery Communications; and Jack Womack, senior vice president of operations and production for CNN Worldwide. The task force will also have an advisory group of adjunct members. 

During last year’s Cable Show, the NCTA partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to host a Hiring Our Heroes job fair for military veterans. The Advisory Task Force held its first meeting during this year’s show on April 30.