Cell phones in Iraq?

Question

Are there any cell phones (even prepaid) that will work in Iraq?

Also, when I'm trying to call a cell phone that is from Iraq...is there anything special that I need to do? The number is so much longer than a regular number and it will never go through.

But, my main question is what service works over there?
My husband is a Marine.
Thank you!

Answer 1

My hubby took his regular US cell phone with him and got service while he was in Kuwait through Cingular. This was an unlocked phone with will work with every provider - get the unlock code from your current provider - Cingular did that for us free of charge.

Then, have your hubby go to a vendor there. They sell him a new card to place into the phone and a prepaid phone card.

My suggestion: If your hubby has internet - have him get a Skypes account. That is dirt cheap and incoming calls are free. Use the cell as back up - internet over there has the tendency to go out from time to time.

Also, have him check with his buddies and other people that are at his FOB. They will know more. A couple of years ago, cell phones were not allowed there.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Communications Iraq Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.547 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
8.7 million (2006)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: the aftermath of the liberation of Iraq in 2003 severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; USAID repaired switching capabilities and constructed a mobile and satellite communication facility; landlines now exceed pre-war levels
domestic: repairs to switches and lines destroyed during 2003 have been completed, but sabotage remains a problem; additional switching capacity is improving access; cellular service is widely available in major cities and centered on 3 regional GSM networks, improving country-wide connectivity; there are currently 8.7 million users of cellular services
international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; despite a new satellite gateway, international calls outside of Baghdad are sometimes problematic (2006)

Answer 4

I don't know about cell phones now, but when I was there (2003) we used Satellite phones with a prepaid minutes option, which were also able to get incoming calls from anywhere (without using up the minutes)
Here's a site with some info:
http://www.satellitephonesdirect.com/index.html

Answer 5

There is a company called IraQna, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint, all have roaming aggreements with IraQna. There is usually a $300 deposit required before your provider will allow the use of cell phones from that location. Also, IraQna offers various SIM cards that you can utilize for your cell phone if you were to choose one of their plans. It is generally $.30 per minute with a $.10 connection per international call to whatever zone you make the call to.
www.IraQna.com

Keep in mind OPSEC and COMSEC (operations security and communications security) Most military units do not allow their members under specific ranks, usually enlisted below E-7 to have personal cell phones. The best thing to do is to just have him speak to his commo personnel in his unit. They will know what is allowed and where to get it.

Answer 6

From research I have done, telecommunications are pretty spotty there. Some areas do not have cell coverage.

http://www.telestial.com/view_product.php?PRODUCT_ID=LSIM-IQ01

The link is for a Iraq SIM card for prepaid phones. All details are on the website.

Answer 7

We were not allowed to have personal cell phones even if we could get one that would work.

It is a security issue as calls can be intercepted and also triagulated.

Answer 8

I know that some units (my husband's for example) don't allow the use of cells phones...period. If you're husband's allowed to have one, you're freaking lucky! But I have no idea what service you would be able to use.

Answer 9

only local phones and contracts work over there. you will not be able to ever call him, he will have to initiate the calls at all times.

they are expensive and unreliable. Stick to email and snail mail, especially since it may be forbidden to even have a cell phone where he is.

Answer 10

look into SKYPE
My husband is in Afghanistan and uses Skype through his computer. Go online and type it in and you will see all of the information.