Welcome to Groton, Connecticut. Situated amidst the Thames and Mystic Rivers and the shores of Long Island Sound, the town is home to fishermen, businesses and a submarine base. They all have one thing in common: they have access to satellite broadband internet.
Groton prides itself on the fact that they have a real investment in the Naval Submarine base. They backed this up by committing $11 million dollars in 2009 to help improve the infrastructure to keep the base from closing. The Pentagon has tried on two occasions to target the base for shutdown, in 1993 and 2005, but the generous efforts of the population enabled it to remain open.
Reportedly, Connecticut is the first state that has fully funded a military construction project. The US Navy has named the Groton base as home to the new ‘Virginia’ class of subs. These nuclear submarines are equipped with state-of-the-art systems which include broadband satellite internet for use on the bridge and in seamen’s quarters. The sub can connect its SATCOM system by raising a mast-mounted antenna above the surface while the ship remains submerged at periscope depth and out of sight.
It also affords the fleet the ability to send and receive military information as well as allow the crew to stay connected to their families back home with full internet use. The good news is that the families and friends back on shore are also able to use satellite internet service to keep in touch and stay informed.
I guess you could say that Groton is putting its money where its mouth is in supporting the upkeep of this very important base and by extension keeping the rest of the country safe. Thinking of this as an investment also reminds us that by keeping the base open, the people who live on or near the base are benefiting as well. They and their families will shop in Groton’s stores thereby strengthening the town’s own infrastructure. That’s a great return on investment since everyone benefits.
If you take a trip to Connecticut, be sure to stop by Groton. They have lovely parks on its shores to enjoy some fresh salt air and beautiful scenery and you might just get a glimpse of a modern nuclear submarine! Check ahead and you can find satellite internet access in cafés and restaurants as well or in your choice of a comfy Bed and Breakfast or hotel.
Being the forward-thinking state that Connecticut has become I would not be at all surprised to see them become the most recognizable spot to support the technology behind broadband satellite internet since it serves its towns and seaside neighbors so well. Of course, this now includes those off-shore as well.
I, for one, am very proud of those sailors and soldiers who put their lives on the line everyday for us, so if they can be provided a little bit of comfort through satellite internet they deserve it.
Tags: High Speed Satellite, Military Satellite Internet, satellite internet at sea
