Okinawa? phone home

[waltsum3]

I have a son who reports to FMTB 2009 Jan 10 west coast. Then has orders to report to okinawa and was wondering what would be the best way for him to call home. That is from japan of coarse with out costing us or him a small fortune?

[8404]

Use Skype software on your computer with a video camera. That way you can see and talk with your Sailor in Okinawa, Japan. I believe it's free for the calls.

http://skype.com/

[DocBuckles]

It is free for the calls.

The other way is DSN operator transfers to a local operator and calling card from there. It still costs quite a bit that way. You can also get SKYPE for $30/year that will allow you to call regular phone numbers if you bounce off a proxy in the US. Google it. You can get some good information on proxies and SKYPE off Google.

[8404]

By 'regular phone numbers', Doc is referring to the traditional land line phones.

[Poolzer]

I always used DSN to the recruiter office where my parents lived, so it was a local and free call. Then the 1st instant messenger came out (ICQ) and started using that more and more.

[KentuckyBoy]

I'm currently stationed in Okinawa and yes Skype is probably the best. I think all barracks have phone's on the 4th deck that you can use a calling card on. They sell the calling cards on the first deck. That's right, phones on 4th, cards on 1st. Makes a lot of military sense. Anyways, he can also buy a cell phone over here. The problem with that is it soon becomes very expensive. If he gets a plan he can call home unlimited for I think around an extra $40 a month on top of his regular plan. Skype is the cheapest, you just have to be at a computer and have internet access. If you have any other Okinawa questions just let me know.

[HM2(FMF)LM]

When i was in Oki i used vonage and so did most of my friends. skype is cool and all but i just really enjoyed the freedom of being able to walk around my room with the cordless phone and not be tied to the computer with headphones. vonage is about 30 bucks a month and you can call international and to the states unlimited.

[Doc_Stevens]

I remember a special occasion I called from Iwakuni to my mom. If I remember correctly, my 17 minute phone call came in at around $75 Of course, didn't have the fancy computer stuff back then.....email and instant messaging was a pipe dream at the time.

[Da-Chief]

I have found out (Last night) that Skype's Costs have gone up a bit.. Not much but it did go up..
I was paying 36.00 unlimited .. now I am paying I think 5 or 6 something a month.. really not bad though considering.. But if your calling Comp to Comp it's always free..

Also you can get Handsets just like vonage for Skype as well and walk around your room.

Good Luck!