Keeping in Contact With Family, From Afghanistan? 176
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."
Be sure not to do any phone sex (Score:2, Insightful)
Unless you like giving NSA employees jollies, don't be doing any phone sex from Afghanistan.
Re:Ham radio (Score:1, Insightful)
However, it's not clear that the Afghani government is ready to issue a reciprocal license to just anyone dropping in unexpectedly, since it doesn't appear that there's much activity from their own citizens these days.
And, even if you were able to get over that hurdle, then there's the issue of who you'd be talking to - if your family members are also licensed hams (with a General class or higher license), fine. BUT, if they don't, you're probably out of lucky as I don't think there is a third-party agreement in place between the US and Afghanistan, and the US ham involved could lose his/her license by passing third-party traffic to/from a country that doesn't permit it.
Your most reliable solution, albeit expensive, would be a commercial satellite telephone.
Re:MWR provided internet and Voip (Score:3, Insightful)
Can you bring/use laptops? Is there a wireless access point or is that considered to much of a security threat?
A few options. (Score:2, Insightful)
I was deployed to Afghanistan last year and was able to call back home a few ways. Also it helped that I was signals intelligence.
Skype-on Bagram or Kandajar this was very popular since you can get your own internet (crappy Indian internet at least) in your B-Hut. A USB skype is great for MWR computers, but you will have spyware and/or a virus on it after you use it. Also if you use this option bring a copy of limewire or some flavour of it and tell it to not connect to the internet. Both areas are giant LANs so you can get tons of movies and music. I bought a 500 gig HD there and filled it before I came home.
Calling card- this is the simplest way on semi built up FOBs and main bases. Cheap, simple and effective. VoIP phones are everywhere in heavy duty areas. Just make sure you get a state side DSN that will transfer you out to POTS. Some airbases and guard bases in the states will transfer you for free to local numbers in the area you are calling, so make sure to ask your chain of command if anything exists like that for you.
Cell phone-it is pretty expensive but it works. Shop around for minutes at different markets through out the country. Cell phone reception goes from decent near cities and main highways to "I haven't seen a bar on my phone for the last 400 miles."
Make friends with somebody that has an iridium- About 2 months into my tour I was given a job that meant I had to travel to every corner of Afghanistan and back again. Before we left my first sergeant gave me an iridium and said to use it if SIPR/NIPR/DSN was unavailable. We soon figured out we could use it as much as we wanted so we pimped it out at remote FOBs. The guys were very thankful for that. Pretty much for 10 months we had our own personal satellite phone. There is bound to be a few others around the country in a similar situation.
Good luck and I hope you don't have to go to Konar, Korengal or Musah Qaleh.
Is it safe (Score:2, Insightful)
To use a Cell Phone network in a country that is very likely infiltrated by your adversary and using it to place phone calls to your loved ones at home.
You loose anonimity for you and your family and it can be used against you.
Re:Ham radio (Score:4, Insightful)
I forgot those dessert dwelling peasants attacked our freedom right? Give me a break.
Yeah, what could they possibly do. It's not like they could fly planes into buildings packed with people or anything.
Re:Just end it all... (Score:0, Insightful)
hackel, You're a fucking piece of shit
Re:Ham radio (Score:2, Insightful)
No they can't, in fact half of them don't even speak English.
Yeah, you're right, they can't. Except for the fact they did, but who cares about facts.
Perhaps we should jail the entire United States over the Virginia tech massacre while we are at it.
If that attack was a military/terrorist attack with political goals sponsored by an organisation as part of an ongoing campaign it would be appropriate to attack and destroy that organisation. If they were being sponsored and protected by a government it would be appropriate to take action against that government including, if necessary, military action. Neither Afghanistan nor any other country has had its entire population jailed, if you're going to use a straw man argument you could at least use one that isn't quite so stupid.
Military or Civilian? (Score:3, Insightful)
Unfortunately, the OP forgot to include one bit of important information: are they being deployed as part of military service, or as part of a civilian effort?
While there are a few people on Slashdot who are or have been in the military (and I hope they speak up), I daresay the general Slashdot opinion will be worth about what the OP paid for it: squat. I haven't been in the service, but can imagine that there are a raft of security issues around communications back home and that they need to be done through approved channels.
For civilian deployments, however, the story is entirely different. For this, there is lots of worthwhile advice. Here's my bit ...
1. I've yet to be in a town, even in remote parts of eastern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean, where there isn't some sort of internet cafe. Connectivity is available. Some intenet cafes even have headsets for Skype.
2. Cellular phone service is nearly ubiquitous. Seriously. You have to get very remote to not have some kind of mobile phone service. The US has terrible coverage compared to Europe and the Middle East. I've been on small, remote islands in the Aegean with 5 bars. And I've yet to find a country (including in the former Soviet bloc) where you can't get pay-as-you-go service that's heaploads cheaper than any US phone company's international roaming. Just make sure that your phone is (a) unlocked and (b) quad band GSM. Or buy one there.
3. Everything in the Middle East is negotiable. Everything. Negotiation and bartering is part of the culture.
Re:Ham radio (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:A few options. (Score:3, Insightful)
Army 98? Good on you.
98C are the smartest monkey-wrenches in MI.
Re:Ham radio (Score:2, Insightful)
Al-Qaeda did that? How on Earth did a database file named Al-Qaeda, that contained the names of all the horrible people the CIA gave money/weapons to in the 80s in Afghanistan, fly 2 planes into 2 buildings?
I think some people may have done it, personally
As I said "You know, those guys hiding in Afghanistan." The "guys hiding in Afghanistan" being the "people" you mention, you idiot. Whether you think Al-Qaeda is the correct name to use to describe their organisation is irrelevant.
Defense Switched Network (Score:2, Insightful)
I was deployed to Iraq in '06/'07. When I was there, cell phones were a big no-no, and for good reason. Allowing unsecured communications is a BIG security risk. VOIP was also not an option because there was no way to connect my computer to the Internet and one cannot simply install unauthorized software on government computers.
Your best bet is to use provided channels. We had phones though MWR (very cheap but limited to 30 min calls and with long waits), and the AT&T phone center (less wait time, no time limits, but more expensive). I found that using the military's DSN network was the best bet if you can get access to a phone. (I worked in the company office so it wasn't a problem for me.) Call a stateside switch board and they can give you an outside civilian line. From there you can use a regular phone card. If you find a switchboard near home you may be able simply to place a local call.
Wait and see.. (Score:3, Insightful)
Probably best to wait and see when you get there. It's been over a year since I was there and NIPR was horrible and limited but enough to provide the basic connection. Then our camp had a satellite connected that about a hundred of us shared. It was slower than dialup and expensive with a high monthly rate and initial equipment charge of a 2-3k, if memory serves. Hopefully things have changed and you have fiber to the hubble by then. lol. Good luck and keep your head down!