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Keeping in Contact With Family, From Afghanistan?

Posted by timothy on from the and-don't-say-learn-pashto dept.

LiNKz writes "Within a short while I will be heading to Afghanistan and in the interest of keeping in communication with my wife and family I've been looking at different means of it, from VoIP to cellular services. I'm not sure how well connected or how stable of a connection the base I'm deploying to has, which means VoIP might simply not be an option. I have, however, noticed in my searches that Afghanistan has recently boomed with cellular coverage though that too seems to be difficult to ascertain. I'm curious if the Slashdot community has any information or experience regarding international cellular services offered in this country and the means of obtaining it."

6 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. MWR provided internet and Voip by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm currently deployed in Afghanistan at FOB Blessing and the broadband phones and internet that the MWR give us for free is actually really quite good considering where we're at. It's free and works perfectly, the only problem is the small amount of computers (8) and phones (3) available for this base with our numbers. Most of the other outposts have a MWR room with similar things in them, maybe less or more comps or phones..

    Not many people use the afghani cell phones or their blackberrys (apparently depending on the plan they work here albeit very expensive).

    hope this helps or reassures you!

    1. Re:MWR provided internet and Voip by shiftless · · Score: 4, Informative

      Yo dude, hello from Camp Phoenix, Kabul! Never been to Blessing, but I've heard of it. IIRC, you fuckers are always getting lit up, or at least you used to when I went through the area a couple years back.

      To the OP, most larger bases have a SPAWAR system. That's a very good satellite system with a bunch of phones and computers available. You purchase minutes off the SPAWAR web site and make calls back to the states for $.04/min. You can also use Skype, as VOIP bandwidth is guaranteed. Laptops are generally not allowed on the system, but the network actually has very few (if any) restrictions. I download torrents all the time, for example, by running uTorrent off a thumb drive. The system is really slow during peak hours but in the middle of the night you can get some fantastic download speeds. I've hit 400k+ a sec before on torrents.

      Smaller bases (small FOBs) may only have DSN phone access. In that case, you just call back to a base in the states, have them transfer you to an outside line, and use your calling card to complete the call. Just as cheap as SPAWAR, though more hassle.

      At any rate, what it comes down to is, you will have no problems keeping in touch with family, even if you are stationed on the smallest, shittiest FOB in Afghanistan. So don't worry about it!

      P.S. be sure to bring a big external drive. You'll need it to hold the thousands of movies people will let you copy off their drives.

  2. Regulations by breakzoidbeg · · Score: 5, Informative

    Communication Through un-official means may get you into some trouble, so be discrete no matter what option you choose so be careful. When the prime minister of Canada visited our base in kandahar they blacked out official communications and were really on top of unauthorized communications (no e-mail even). Keep your head down mate!

  3. Video Skype by flyingfsck · · Score: 4, Informative

    Video Skype on a Linux Netbook is the easiest way to do it.

    --
    Excuse me, but please get off my Pennisetum Clandestinum, eh!
  4. A Little Info by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm currently in Afghanistan as well.

    SPAWAR provided phones at the MWR are cheap. Take a look at the link: http://oif.spawareurope.net/

    Also, Bently-Walker provides good satellite Internet out here. That's what I'm using right now.

  5. Iridium by The+Dancing+Panda · · Score: 4, Informative

    Is price an object?

    If not, you can buy an iridium phone for around $1400. Plans are around $30/mo, and $1.45 a minute, Or you can do prepaid. They work everywhere, and are pretty portable. You can call the phone from the US for regular long distance charges using a pass-through number.