Last week, June 14, a lineup of speakers heralded the arrival of free cable and internet services at the Rhode Island Veterans Home.

Over the past few years, residents have become more comfortable with technology, including Facetime, streaming television, and using other tech-enabled services. As comfort levels grew, there was increased demand for enhanced cable and internet services at the Veterans Home.

Representatives from i3 Broadband were also on hand to speak about the services being offered, as well as the unique client services team being provided to assist residents with enrollment into the new program.

Kasim Yarn, Director, Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services welcomed the crowd. “I want to thank our residents, who served and sacrificed in defense of our freedoms,” he said. “So now we're here to serve you.”

“It's always a pleasure visiting here and meeting with the men and women that served us so well,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Not only thanking everyone for their service but also doing things that are constructive…That's why I'm so proud to be here today as we announce the state's progress toward providing free basic cable and internet through a dedicated WiFi system right here at the Veterans Home.”

“I’m really honored to be here with you today,” said Paul Cronin, the CEO of i3 Broadband. “This is really one of the special places in our state. i3 considers this a real privilege to be able to serve high-speed internet and fiber optic technology to the veterans. We’re not taking that privilege lightly.”

“People in Rhode Island have a lot to be proud of when industry and government and local citizens get together and decide we are going to make a place that is good for our veterans,” said Rep. Marvin Abney, Chairman of the House Finance Committee. “It’s been fun watching this happen, and I'm just so glad that our top industry, the government, and people here can make this happen.”

According to Nancy Pellegrino, Administrator of Management Services for the Veterans Home, this all began when i3 Broadband worked with the Home to get services to veterans forced to isolate during the pandemic.

“They couldn’t come in but they gave me what I needed and taught me how to hook it us so Veterans couuld get free cable in isolation,” she said. “This is wonderful for them”