Thank you for your interest in providing phone cards to our troops!
There are 2 main types of phone services available for our deployed troops to use in the majority of deployment areas. Some troops can use AT&T long distance calling cards, but the conversion rate is really high. The cards have to be at least 500 minutes to be useful. The ones from AAFES and Spawar (outlined below) are the best values.
AAFES MILITARY EXCHANGE PHONE CARDS:
PREPAID PHONE CARDS - Units vs. Minutes
While other retailers sell AT&T prepaid cards, only the Military Exchange Global Prepaid cards offer the best value for calls made from an AT&T phone center in deployed areas. AAFES is currently offering a promotional per minute rate when calling from Iraq and Afghanistan (see chart below).
| |
Other retailer
Units/Price |
Other Retailer
Price/Min |
Military Exchange
550 Card
Units/Price
Promotional Rate |
Military Exchange
550 Card
Price/Min
Promotional Rate |
Military Exchange
200 Card
Units/Price
Promotional Rate |
Military Exchange
200 Card
Price/Min
Promotional Rate |
| Iraq |
10 units - .05 |
0.50 |
3 units - .07 |
0.21 |
3 units - .075 |
0.225 |
| Afghanistan |
10 units - .05 |
0.50 |
3 units - .07 |
0.21 |
3 units - .075 |
0.225 |
| Kuwait |
10 units - .05 |
0.50 |
3 units - .07 |
0.21 |
3 units - .075 |
0.225 |
AT&T "SHIP TO SHORE" Prepaid Phone Cards:
The AT&T "Ship to Shore" prepaid card is the only card that can be used to place calls via AT&T's Direct Ocean Services (DOS) and is available on most U.S. Navy ships. DOS allows for Sailors and Marines to stay in touch with family and friends while on deployment. This card can also be used to place calls ashore during port visits. Calling rates vary per country. The AT&T Global Prepaid Phone "Ship to Shore" Card is the only phone card that can be used to place calls via AT&T's Direct Ocean Services (DOS). The "Ship to Shore" card is sold onboard ships.
The price per minute to call from U.S. Navy ships via AT&T's Direct Ocean Services (DOS) to the United States is $0.50. Compared to other commercial ship to shore satellite calling the DOS rate is significantly less. Although this card can be used to make calls ashore during port call visits, the rates vary per country and are not priced as low as the Military Exchange 550 unit prepaid card.
You can purchase phone cards from the military exchange using this web site link: https://thor.aafes.com/scs/default.aspx
SPAWAR MWR PHONE CARDS VoIP (Voice-Over-IP):
The US Military's SPAWAR has installed new Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Phone Call Centers. These are often located in internet cafes in Iraq. The SPAWAR phones provide about 10 hours of talk time for $25 which is about 4 cents/minute. Connected to SPAWAR's network it is easy to call home and stay in touch. With a large number of phones at each location, the troop simply dials the area code and phone number, then enters a PIN Number. Note: You must purchase specific SPAWAR Phone Calling Cards to use these phones. The connection quality is usually pretty good, with only a small lag.
Here is a link to purchase SPAWAR Prepaid Phone cards: http://www.oif.spawareurope.net/
OTHER PLANS:
Defense System Network (DSN Lines)
The Defense System Network (DSN line) is about 5 cents/minute and the connection is usually very good with nolag time, but the lines are very long to use these phones, and the service is very limited. Most troops do not have a lot of extra time to wait on a line for an hour to call home.
MCI Prepaid Calling Cards from Iraq & Afghanistan
MCI has introduced a prepaid calling card that can be used from Iraq. This card is sold in $10 and $20 denominations. The rate to call from Iraq to the US is 45¢ per minute. A $10 card will allow for a 22 minute phone call from Iraq to the US and the $20 has 44 minutes for the same call. This card can be used to call anywhere in the world from the US and can be used from about a 130 different countries around the world. Call to the U.S. from U.S. Military Bases worldwide on a DSN line (Defense System Network) for 5¢/min.
AT&T Calling Centers
AT&T is installing calling centers and phones in U.S. Military bases and camps in Iraq and other locations in the middle east. These AT&T Calling Centers have phones that automatically connect to AT&T USADirect Service for calls back to the U.S.; the phones accept a variety of payment methods, including AT&T Prepaid Phone Cards. Look for dialing instructions on the phone. Calling centers are currently installed at Al Asad Air Base, Al Sahra Air Base/Tirkrit-Palace Complex, Baghdad Int'l Airport, Balad Air Base, Camp Babylon, Camp Falcon, Camp Performance, FOB Speicher, MEK Compound, Mosul Air Base, Muleskinner, Talil Air Base and Victory Base in Baghdad. Installation is pending at Al Kut, FOB Munsan, FOB Q-West, and Kirkuk. Rate to use the AT&T Prepaid Card from Iraq AT&T Calling Centers to the US is 45¢ per minute. The AT&T cards are 45 cents/minute. So a 500 minute card is worth about 12 minutes. A 100 minute card which is typically what is donated is only worth about 2.5 minutes of talk time!
