Connecting With Home: Phone Calls For Soldiers In Afghanistan

Soldiers in Afghanistan have several options for communicating with their loved ones back home. While there are security concerns associated with the use of smartphones, which can pose risks of data leaks and be exploited by enemies, soldiers can still utilise other means of communication. These include DSN (Defense Switched Network) phone centres, AT&T phone tents, and prepaid phone calling cards. Additionally, soldiers' morale is boosted by the use of personal GSM cell phones or satellite phones, despite the potential for high per-minute charges. The US Army Criminal Investigation Command has warned about the misuse of soldiers' identities in internet romance scams, where perpetrators pretend to be soldiers serving in Afghanistan to manipulate unsuspecting women.

Calling cards and SIM cards

Military calling cards are a great way to stay in touch with soldiers deployed overseas. They can be used at military bases worldwide, allowing soldiers to call home without accruing expensive international phone bills. There are a variety of options available, including AT&T's Global Prepaid card, which can be purchased at USO Centers, on-base vending machines in military bases, and online through the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) website. Calling cards purchased online often have more competitive rates than those bought over the counter, but it's important to pay attention to the features and rates of a specific card before making a decision.

When choosing a military calling card, consider the following:

• Minute rounding: While one-minute rounding is ideal, some cards have a rounding limit of three minutes or more, which can result in higher charges for shorter calls.
• Per-use fees: Many calling cards charge a per-use fee, which can reduce the number of available minutes. To avoid this, consider buying several cards in smaller denominations that can be used entirely in one call.
• Phone type: Some military calling cards have different rates depending on the type of phone used, such as payphones or cell phones. Choose a card that best suits your needs and consider whether it will be used from a military base or another location.
• International surcharges: Calls originating from outside the US and terminating in the US may be subject to higher rates due to international surcharges.

In addition to calling cards, SIM cards can also be used for international calls. For example, the Explorer SIM Card can be used in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. However, it's important to note that using a local SIM card may pose security risks, as local phone providers may be able to track troop movements and identified individuals.

Internet cafes and personal laptops

Internet cafes are available at some bases in Afghanistan, where soldiers can expect to pay $5 to $10 per hour for use. In 2012, Afghanistan opened its first women-only internet cafe, which was equipped with over a dozen laptops, a library, and comfortable cushions. The cafe was set up by the YoungWomen4Change, an Afghan activist group, to give women a chance to connect to the world without verbal and sexual harassment and free from the unwanted gazes of men.

Soldiers can also bring their personal laptops to Afghanistan. However, due to the heat and dusty conditions, a semi-rugged laptop is more reliable during longer deployments.

DSN phone centres and AT&T phone tents

Soldiers in Afghanistan have several options for making phone calls to their loved ones back home. One option is to use the Defense Switched Network (DSN), which is a telephone system that has been used by the military for over 100 years. DSN is designed to support the Department of Defense and the US government, allowing users to make free long-distance calls from post to post or to other military branches within the Department of Defense.

Another option for soldiers in Afghanistan is to use the AT&T phone tents located throughout US bases. Soldiers are usually allowed free 15-minute "morale calls" to call their families. These calls are placed to the Army base nearest to the family, which is typically a local call. In addition, soldiers can use low-cost prepaid phone calling cards, personal GSM cell phones, or satellite phones to make calls. However, per-minute charges for international calls can be expensive. As a result, soldiers often make quick calls home, and then their families use cheap international prepaid phone cards to call them back.

The DSN is a primary information transfer network for the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) of the US Department of Defense. It provides worldwide non-secure voice, secure voice, data, facsimile, and video teleconferencing services for DOD Command and Control (C2) elements and their supporting activities. The DSN was designated as the provider of long-distance communications service for the DOD in 1982 and is considered a primary system of communication during peacetime and various phases of war.

The DSN consists of four subsystems: Timing and Synchronization, Network Administration and Management, and the DSN Switching Subsystem. The latter consists of multifunction, stand-alone tandem, end office, and remote switching units that interconnect all military locations worldwide. In addition to non-secure voice, data, and video services, the DSN provides transmission, switching, and support services for various secure communication systems.

VoIP and Video Teleconferencing

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and video teleconferencing (VTC) are two cutting-edge technologies that have transformed the way people communicate and collaborate. Both technologies utilize the internet to transmit voice and multimedia signals, allowing for seamless communication from anywhere in the world.

VoIP

VoIP allows users to make and receive voice calls via an internet connection instead of a traditional phone line. It converts analog audio signals into digital data that can be transmitted over the internet. This enables users to make phone calls from anywhere with a reliable internet connection. VoIP offers several advantages over traditional phone services, including:

• Enhanced security
• Lower costs
• The ability to make calls to any number in the world
• Crystal-clear voice quality
• Increased accessibility and agility

Video Teleconferencing

Video teleconferencing takes communication a step further by adding video to the mix, enabling face-to-face meetings even when participants are miles apart. It captures and transmits video and audio signals over the internet, allowing participants to see and hear each other in real time.

Video teleconferencing offers several benefits, including:

• Screen sharing and recording capabilities
• Enhanced collaboration and interaction
• Time and cost savings by eliminating the need for travel
• Reduced carbon footprint for businesses

Integrating VoIP and Video Teleconferencing

Combining VoIP and video teleconferencing offers the best of both worlds, providing an effective way to communicate through voice and video interchangeably. This integration improves efficiency and productivity, allowing businesses to conduct meetings, training sessions, and presentations with a high degree of interactivity.

Additionally, integrating VoIP and video teleconferencing is a cost-effective solution. Businesses can utilize a single platform that integrates both technologies, resulting in lower costs and streamlined processes.

In conclusion, VoIP and video teleconferencing are powerful tools that enable seamless communication and collaboration, especially for soldiers in Afghanistan who can utilize these technologies to stay connected with their loved ones and colleagues back home.

Cell phone security risks

Cell phones are a wildly insecure node in a network designed to generate and exploit user data. They are the most vulnerable part of a network that shares data with a wide range of actors, from device manufacturers to app designers. Many apps leak data continually, either due to poor design or because the user hasn't installed updates.

Cell phones use several different communications protocols — SMS, MMS, WiFi, Bluetooth, and GSM — each with its own security vulnerabilities and unpredictable interaction effects. For example, nine out of ten SMS messages can be intercepted.

There are several types of mobile security threat:

• Mobile Application Security Threats: Apps that look legitimate but skim data from the device, such as spyware and malware.
• Web-Based Mobile Security Threats: Seemingly innocuous websites that automatically download malicious content onto devices.
• Mobile Network Security Threats: Cybercriminals can steal unencrypted data while people use public WiFi networks.
• Mobile Device Security Threats: The loss or theft of a device. As hackers have direct access to the hardware, this is an especially dangerous threat.

Other mobile security threats include:

• Phishing: When attackers send fake messages to lure users into sharing personal information or downloading malware.
• Poor password security: When people reuse passwords across multiple accounts.
• Unsecured public WiFi: When people connect to WiFi networks with unknown security protocols, leaving them vulnerable to data theft.
• Broken cryptography: When app developers use weak encryption algorithms or fail to properly implement strong encryption, leaving apps vulnerable to attacks.
• Improper session handling: When apps unintentionally share session tokens, allowing malicious actors to impersonate legitimate users.
• Surveillance, spying, and stalkerware: When cyberattackers use spyware to steal personally identifiable information and financial details.
• Trojans and financial malware: Forms of malware developed specifically for data theft and financial gain.

Frequently asked questions