<p>Just got a call from our son in South Africa, great to hear his voice. He purchased an international cell phone, the phone will require him to purchase a callling cards in order for the phone work in various countries. I was able to call him directly from the house. We will have to wait to see how it works as he moves up the African coast. Thought I would pass this along as a nice option for the Mids during seayear.</p>
<p>I've seen some International Calling cards at Costco as well. Is that easier/harder than International Cellphone?</p>
<p>I look forward to hearing about the pros/cons of using these options from you experienced folks. (Hope you kids are having a great time!)</p>
<p>My son has a mobal cell phone. You purchase the phone for a 1x charge and then your credit card it billed only for the calls placed...no monthly fees or no minimums. The phone is yours for life ready to use whenever you need it. There are two phones priced at $49 and $99. At the time that we were looking into an international cell phone, the cost to upgrade our Verizon service would have been over $400 (that's the price to purchase the phone with the international capabilities). Our son is in the middle east and the rates in Dubai, India, etc were $4.99/minute for him to call us but if we called him it was less (plus any charges from our own phone company) Italy was much cheaper - I believe $1.95/minute. You are issued a UK number. The website is <a href="http://www.mobal.com%5B/url%5D">www.mobal.com</a>. The nice thing is that you don't have to worry about getting off the boat and finding a pay phone. Michael has been in ports were they had to stay on the ship (civil unrest in India) so he was able to call from the ship...usually just before he hits the sheets. Now considering that I just received the bill on my mastercard for the Italy and Dubai calls and it was well over $100 (well over), I was trying to think of another option. But is there really a price limit when it comes to chatting with your son while away. I guess not. I did tell him that we had to be a bit better with timing the calls. If anyone has experience with other phones, please share.</p>
<p>We have T-Mobile service. My husband has most recently called from Malta, Tunesia, Suez Canal and Kuwait very easily. The rates varied from 1.49 a minute to 1.99 a minute. He also tried a calling card from one location but found that it didn't really save any money as they take a huge chunk up front. Anyhow, I am pleased with the international calling ability that we get with T-Mobile; however, my Plebe son can not call me from KP as he has no signal with his T-Mobile phone. Go figure?</p>
<p>T Mobile does have signal at KP but very little. </p>
<p>My son goes down to the water front I believe to get a proper signal.</p>
<p>t-mobile service in the states is poor......but for any overseas travel T-mobile is the one! My husband has never had a problem anywhere (except the US) with t-mobile.</p>
<p>They are actually a Geran company so that makes sense. The service in our area is great, very few problems. However this is the area of there US offices.</p>
<p>Works great for me too out here in the West! Just not at KP. Good to know about the waterfront but don't think my plebe can hop out there for a chat! </p>
<p>4 More Days! :) Wihoo! :)</p>
<p>I don't know why he can't walk down to the water front, although it wasn't an issue last year for my son as he is on the sailing team. </p>
<p>Interesting for the kids on the sail team, that is a "non regimented" area and a great place to store things that are not allowed in the dorm. You didn't hear me say that. :) </p>
<p>What are the current "restrictions" on plebes using their cell phones? </p>
<p>I should remember from last year but don't</p>
<p>Last I heard it is Sunday only and standing at attention. May be different now but I am not really in the "know!" He calls from a pay phone on Sundays. I'll have to ask him about getting down to the waterfront.</p>
<p>I will have my son post here on where he goes to get good signal.</p>
<p>Great idea! I should have my son get on to this site but then it would blow my secret know-it-all cover! He's always surprised when I tell him about something I learned on here. I explain that just because he's 2,560 miles away from me doesn't mean that the eyes in the back of my head aren't still working!! Don't think he bought it though!</p>
<p>LOL, the other day my husband went to the website with the school's webcam and saw our son. (He was down at the water front getting ready to leave for a regatta) He called him on the cell phone and had him going because he was telling him exactly where he was and what he was doing. I think he had a "flashback" to the days when he really thought my husband and I not only had eyes in the back of our heads but eyes that saw through walls and could even spot his actions miles away......</p>
<p>This is a great site but you have to be careful what you say as it can and does get back to your kid!!!</p>