Internet phone service while deployed??

Question

Anyone have an internet phone service such as vonage while deployed? If so how did it work out? I'd like to get somthing similar before I deploy because those at&t phone cards are the biggest rip off in the world. Thanks

Answer 1

Vonage does have a way to use their services over here. It's through a USB card that connects.

Alternatively you can use Skype, which doesn't require anything but software, and can be done from the browser or a datastick as a portable app.

If you are in a forward operating base or patrol base instead of a giant camp, we have computers here in the MWR cafe with a contract through a company called Spawar. The phones are four cents a minute and the computers are really slow, but it's what we have to use.

Answer 2

My husband and I used Voicestick while he was deployed. It worked pretty well for us. You can download their software on line. As one poster mentioned though, the connections can mess up your phone calls because the computers are SOOOO SLLLOOOWWW. For the most part though we didn't have many problems with it. He usually just waited until there weren't a lot of people trying to use the computers and that helped a lot. I've also heard a lot of people using Skype; but we never tried it.

Answer 3

I have the yahoo phone service, and it sucks. I think for the most part though, it's the connection. It is SOOO slow, unbelievably slow. For example, I tried opening up a dealership website, and it took 12 minutes to open, just that one page. I guess if you do it through the military but have them install a commercial line instead of NIPR, you can use it in your office and it'll work really good.

Answer 4

Last summer my family went to Australia and we took our Vonage service with us, it did work but from there the quality was horrible.

Answer 5

my friend was in iraq for a while and he used vonage, it would cut out sometimes when we talked but no worse than a cell phone....probably a better deal than phone cards...but if you do choose phone cards the ones from walmart are better than any i have used. i dont know if they work there or not but if so it is a better deal...

Answer 6

I used Yahoo message to call it worked most of the time but it all depends on the IP connection VOIP need a lot of work before it is successfully. and you significant other can use a DSN and ATT card and it will be a domestic rate. tell them to stay away from the ATT phones if they can

Answer 7

Check out the AKO video-telephone service. Not sure how often their servers overload, but it is a free service you can use from any computer over there (MWR or official)

Answer 8

it really will depend on WHERE you are during the deployment, and what kind of internet access you will have, and whether or not you can procure said access for your laptop.

second concern is price.. it may be very expensive to get satellite Internet, which is faster and more reliable, but again, how much time are you going to have to talk, really?