Getting Cell Service in Afghanistan

[Tordane]

Anyone have experience with talking to soldiers in Afghanistan? Friend's husband is over there and they do not have wifi and are not near any of the major cities. Don't actually know where he is at the moment, but they have been told they will not be getting wifi anytime soon, and are limited to 30min a day access via military computers. Have looked a few things, calling cards for mobile, unlocked GSM phone using Afgan Wireless SIM, and satellite phones. Was curious if anyone could shed light on their experience... Soldier in question has an iPhone with ATT service.

Thanks.

[kgolfer]

Easiest is to have him buy a phone there and a card with minutes....that is cheapest and easiest usually, unless he can get some kind of calling plan through AT&T.

[Taernath]

Are you talking about phoning home or using a computer-based program like skype?

It sounds like he's got phones available to him, so his best bet would be to buy phone cards from a PX and use them at a payphone. If PXs or landlines aren't available, get a quad-band phone that uses a SIM chip, then just buy minutes as needed. Just be careful, I believe I read somewhere local SIM cards are being phased out now because of security concerns. Double check before you or he buy anything.

For phoning, some units, usually the ones that are way out in the boonies, may have government satellite phones that they allow their soldiers to use. If that's the case he may only be able to call back for 10 minutes during a week, and that's IF his leadership can or will allow it.

For skype, the best bet is to have him wait until he gets to a major base that has actual land lines or wifi.

[Tordane]

Easiest is to have him buy a phone there and a card with minutes....that is cheapest and easiest usually, unless he can get some kind of calling plan through AT&T.

Yes, that was our first thought as well. Problem is, he is unable to get somewhere to purchase locally.

[Tordane]

Are you talking about phoning home or using a computer-based program like skype?

It sounds like he's got phones available to him, so his best bet would be to buy phone cards from a PX and use them at a payphone. If PXs or landlines aren't available, get a quad-band phone that uses a SIM chip, then just buy minutes as needed. Just be careful, I believe I read somewhere local SIM cards are being phased out now because of security concerns. Double check before you or he buy anything.

For phoning, some units, usually the ones that are way out in the boonies, may have government satellite phones that they allow their soldiers to use. If that's the case he may only be able to call back for 10 minutes during a week, and that's IF his leadership can or will allow it.

For skype, the best bet is to have him wait until he gets to a major base that has actual land lines or wifi.


Yes, the local SIM cards as a security issue has been brought up. Skype is out of the question due to no WiFi. Payphones are also not available from what I understand. Are there any SIM cards you can buy that act as a calling card. If it allows only outgoing calls, that is fine.

[kgolfer]

There are usually so many cell phones around as people leave they sell them.....there are ways, he might just have to get resourceful in trying to get one. With the situation you are saying, that sounds like his best bet.

[Taernath]

Yes, the local SIM cards as a security issue has been brought up. Skype is out of the question due to no WiFi. Payphones are also not available from what I understand. Are there any SIM cards you can buy that act as a calling card. If it allows only outgoing calls, that is fine.

I had a german phone that used a local SIM chip, but it only had reception in certain areas. If he's way, way out there even the quadband phones won't help, and he'll have to rely on a satphone. I'm confused though, he has internet (with a 30 minute time limit), but no call center?

[Divinity]

I know a lot of people that used AT&T's prepaid services. You can either pay for refills for minutes by calling the US calling center or buy the prepaid phone cards and load them to the phone through the automated system. There's also an option to make automatic monthly payments that's similar to having a plan with no contract.

This service is available to iPhone users and was very popular when the phone came out and people couldn't afford to pay a large deposit to be put on a contract. However, AT&T does not use sim cards, so he'll have to call CS and get the phone changed to a prepaid service.

After this person makes the change, anyone is able to call on his/her behalf and make payments and recharge the phone by simply having the phone number. Of course, you won't be able to make account changes unless you're an authorized user.

[4a6c1]

Satellite phone is cool if you can split the bill with 5 buddies. Or skype. Skype sex! :-X