Free wireless internet for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
Service personnel deployed on operations will be able to surf the web and contact home without leaving their living
accommodation in Iraq and Afghanistan after Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced a new free wi-fi internet service
recently.
Secretary of State for Defence, Des Browne, said: "I am delighted that our brave service personnel deployed on
operations in Iraq or Afghanistan will soon have free wi-fi internet access."
"This will make it even easier for our Armed Forces to stay in touch with their loved ones back home while they continue
their tremendous work in bringing stability to Iraq and Afghanistan."
"This improvement to the internet access for our troops adds to the excellent Operational Welfare package available to
all those deployed on operations, which includes the provision of TVs, DVD players, radios and 30 minutes of free phone
calls per week to anywhere in the world."
Project Mercury, a programme to increase the number of telephones and hard-wired internet machines, is due to complete
in December 2007.
Work to install the wire-free access will begin immediately afterwards with a view to completion for Easter 2008.
ENDS