CELL PHONE

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Permalink Reply by K on September 17, 2008 at 3:19pm

I think it is called a "sat" phone (short for satellite). My friend who is deployed to Iraq has one and I get calls from him that bounce through various area codes (the last one came through Hawaii). I am really not familiar with them but have heard of them and know my friend uses one when deployed. That at least might help you start a Google for more info.

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Permalink Reply by Theresa on September 17, 2008 at 6:10pm

There must be something out there that works overseas. I am a school secretary and called a parent that is in South America today.

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Permalink Reply by Paula on September 17, 2008 at 6:53pm

I will chk my g/f husbnd had one. He just retired from the Navy. I will get back to you.

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Permalink Reply by Jody on September 17, 2008 at 7:42pm

My husband had a cell phone when he was overseas thru AT&T and added an additional plan that covered certain areas while he was there. He was in Europe, but I don't know where all it reached. Just something to check into.

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Permalink Reply by Lois C T(momma T) on September 18, 2008 at 9:56am

We have AT&T, we went to the "company" store, to try to get an international plan for our sons phone. (he is somewhere in the Middle East) They did have one, however, we were told no matter what international plan you choose, they are charged a $2.69 per minute roaming fee, everywhere in the Middle East, whether the phone is being used or just "on", so we told our son to use calling cards! We are waiting to hear from him so we can decide what to do about a "sat" phone. Any info. will be appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by K on September 17, 2008 at 8:24pm

I did some checking.

Go to wikipedia and read up here on Satellite Phones: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_phone

Then you can "Google" the term "Satellite Phone" and they have places that sell or rent them.

I think this is what you are looking for. My understanding is that a regular cell phone will get decent coverage if you are in an area that has towers. My husband and I spent nine days in France last year and I used my regular cell phone every single night to check on my four year old that we left with grandparents. The Sat Phone is geared more towards your kids (or spouses) that might be deployed to an area that does not have cell coverage or towers or service. Places like the desert, the ice tundra, the middle of the ocean, etc.

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Permalink Reply by maria on September 17, 2008 at 11:44pm

I don't have a clue but if you get any info please let me know. i'll check around too !

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Permalink Reply by Marcy & Robert on September 18, 2008 at 12:44am

Hi Judy,
Verizon has a Blackberry world edition that has a sim card that you can call from anywhere. They give you a number to call before you leave and tell them when and where you want it activate. My sons girlfriends father is being deployed again to Iraq and he just got this phone because my son has on and so does my husband. Also different branches of the military get a discount. Army gets 25% off monthly bill, Navy gets 15% off monthly bill. We got our Blackberrys about 6 months ago and they cost us $300 each. It also has internet access and you can receive e-mails also, we pay $25 a month for unlimited internet access. You might want to check this out. We have been very faithful to Verizon and have been with them since day one. I've had my same cell number for 18 years.
Robert and Marcy

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Permalink Reply by Achseh on September 18, 2008 at 10:08am

As always, if your son will be deployed on a ship, have him check with the ship first before investing in one. There are many times that cell phones are not to be used because the signal interfere's with the ship's electronic devices (think radar). This is why even if they use the AT&T satellite phones onboard, there are only specific times they can use them.

To be honest, in the long run, it may be more economical to purchase a phone card to use the ship's satellite phones than pay for one yourself.

I'd just recommend he do his homework and check with his Chief (as buddies sometimes do things that they can get away with but aren't allowed).

Let us know what he finds out, please.

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Permalink Reply by Dianne on September 18, 2008 at 12:08pm

I think it could be the I Phone, through Apple and AT&T.

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Valle on September 18, 2008 at 1:18pm

Hi to all,

My son is in Iraq and we use T-mobile and he's able to get calls and make calls but the cost is $2.99 per minute so we text instead it's free for me to text him but for him to text me it's 35 cents per text which is not that bad considering he can let me know he's okay everyday for 35 cents a day.

Melissa

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Permalink Reply by Carla Street on September 18, 2008 at 2:01pm

Hi All. I have compiled some info on the phone info, some is free stuff, like the VFW info. As
Achseh says, some times the phones are restricted. On the ship itself it definately is. The satelitte phone I think would only be able to be used on land.

The phone service the navy has used historically is AT&T and yet not all AT&T cards work. Go figure. One thing that works well thru all this info I'm giving is to have your son buy a card from the NEX (navy store) and then give you the pin and user name so you can reload it, or you can just buy him one.

I know this is a lot of info but I'd also be interested so I can add it to my "list" if the satelitte phones or cards do work.

My name is Carla and I am with a navy moms group on yahoo. Hope this helps at least some.

Just got some new info from a group I just joined.
I haven't shared this for awhile. You might want to
keep it in a file. Hugs, Carla


Subject: [MFO_In_Action] Cell Phones for Soldiers

Hi ~ My nephew just told me about a group called Cell Phones for
Soldiers. They take old cell phones and turn them into 100 minute
calling cards for our military! Check them out at
www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.

Thanks!

Sue


----- Original Message -----
From: Carla Street
To: Eagle Wings
Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2005 9:18 AM
Subject: Phone card info compiled


New 9/05
My daughter received this email last month. She made the call and is
now receiving a 23% discount on her monthly cell phone bill. This is legit,
not a come on. Have your kids make the call and start getting a discount
on their bills.

Anita
Proud Military Mom of SrA Jennifer (just promoted TODAY. HOORAY!!)

Military Cell Phone Discounts
Federal Telecommunications Act 1996 Discount to Federal Employees Past
and Present

This Act offers a 15-20% discount on your cell phone and this Federal
Act applies to all cellular phone carriers, including Sprint PCS, Cingular,
Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and more. Sprint Business line direct number
is 1-888-788-4727. Sprint's discount is 15%.
Cingular offers a 19% discount from this point forward. It was simple, just
call 1-800-319-6393.
T-Mobile customer service number is ( 866-646-4688). You may have to send an email requesting the migration form to dien.luu@t-mobile.com.
T-Mobile discount is 22%. Nextel offers an 18% discount on your Cell-phone bill. The direct number for them is 1-800-639-6111.
Verizon customer service number is (800-865-1825) and the USAF discount is 23%. If you are with any sister service the discount is 17%.
You may need to provide proof of Federal employment - such as your supervisor's name, phone number and your unit's address. The salesperson may try to make you sign on for additional contract years - But, you are NOT required to do so to receive these military discounts

From Spapkie/Sharon, re free phone cards from the VFW.
Click here: VFW Foundation :: Operation Uplink :: Request a Phone Card http://www.operationuplink.org/request.cfm


(This was from a gal named Kat on my Smiles group)

HI gang, I found this interesting information last week when I was searching and thought it was worth passing on. I don't know if anyone else has found this site/information, but I know any stateside
family would be interested to get this!!! I found this on Any Soldier Inc, "what to send". Hope it will help some of you that have family deployed.

Phone Cards. AT&T has a special deal for service members and their families. Also, The Defense Department has authorized the Armed Services Exchanges to sell prepaid calling cards to any individual or organization that wishes to purchase cards for troops who are deployed. More on that here.
NOTE on AT&T Cards: "If a soldier wants to get minute for minute on his card he need only call the customer service number on his card, hit "0" and it may ask for his pin number (or they'll need it handy). He tells the Customer service Rep that he is calling from Iraq/Afghanistan on a military camp or base and they will make the call for him at a one to one ratio. If he/she doesn't choose to do
that and they call the regular 800 number on the back of the card in the instructions they will be paying an 18 to 1 ratio. That means, instead of it costing 3.9c a minute it will cost 70+c a minute."

And some info from Dora Groll sent 4/24/04.



Subject: Military Phone Card Donation Program Goes Public


NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense

No. 363-04
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Apr 23, 2004
Media Contact: (703)697-5131
Public/Industry Contact: (703)428-0711

Military Phone Card Donation Program Goes Public


The Department of Defense announced today that any
American can now help troops in contingency operations
call home._ _ The Defense Department has authorized the
Armed Services Exchanges to sell prepaid calling cards to
any individual or organization that wishes to purchase cards for troops who are deployed. The "Help Our Troops Call Home" program is designed to help service members call home from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

For those wishing to donate a prepaid calling card to a
military member may log on to any of the three Armed
Services Exchange web sites: the Army and Air Force Exchange Service http://www.aafes.com/, the Navy Exchange Service Command http://www.navy-nex.com/, and the Marine Corps Exchange http://www.usmc-mccs.org/

Click the "Help Our Troops Call Home" link. From there,
a prepaid calling card may be purchased for an individual at his or her deployed address or to "any service member" deployed or hospitalized. The Armed Services Exchanges will distribute cards donated to "any service member" through the American Red Cross, Air Force Aid Society and the Fisher House Foundation.

The Armed Services Exchanges operate telephone call centers in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and other countries and aboard ships -- anywhere service members are deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. All of these locations stay busy around the clock to keep up communication between deployed troops and their loved ones. The cards available through the "Help Our Troops Call Home" program offer the best value for calls made from the call centers, never expire, and there are no added charges or connection fees.

Individuals and organizations also can show their support
to deployed troops and their families with gift certificates. The "Gift of Groceries" program allows anyone to purchase commissary gift certificates at
http://www.commissaries.com or by calling toll free 1 (877) 770-GIFT.
The Armed Services Exchanges offer the "Gift From the Home Front" gift certificate for merchandise at these exchange web sites: http://www.aafes.com and http://www.navy-nex.com or by calling toll free 1 (877) 770-GIFT. Gift certificates may be purchased to be mailed to service members and family members or will be distributed to "any servicemember." Only authorized commissary and exchange patrons may redeem the gift certificates at military commissaries and exchanges, including those stores
supporting deployed personnel around the globe.

From Donna Duffey:
A note to the other moms -- I had my sailors email me their card numbers (the 800# and Pin#) and I did 50$ refills regularly early in their deployments. They also just carried the numbers on a slip of paper ith their ID holder thing instead of carrying the card so any moment they had a chance they could call, AND so it dod not look like a credit card.

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