I'm heading to Kuwait for the foreseeable future. What are the best options for communication with back home?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 00:29:21 -0500

I understand how stupid it may sound, and I realize that many more have gone through way more than Kuwait. My unit just hasn’t pushed out any information regarding anything to help. I appreciate the help

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jan 5 at 2018 12:36 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 00:36:17 -0500

Kuwait is not the end of the world. You will have internet availability. Get yourself a Skype account which will let you talk and see. STAY AWAY FROM THE PHONES as much as possible. Phone bills can add up very fast. And don't forget, there is really nothing like receiving a letter. Take the time to set down and write home. I know it is "old" fashion, slow and such, but when you are deployed there is nothing like receiving a letter, and this goes both ways. I was deployed Kuwait/Iraq for over a year, I used the MWR phones, yea the lines were a little longer and time was shorter, but it was free. I wrote a lot and used e-mail a lot. E-mail, you will access to that as well But just remember, nothing like the old fashion letter.

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Jan 5 at 2018 2:02 AM

CPT Andrew Wright — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 02:02:19 -0500

Spent a year at Camp Buehring. Although you will most likely be in an air conditioned tent in the middle of the desert communications options are good. Wi-Fi for a fee is available in the housing areas so Skype and e-mail is easy. Free phone calls back home at the USO are also available but usually limited to about twenty minutes per session. There are also phone and computer rooms for hourly rental available. Definitely bring your own laptop for communications, music, and DVD use.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2018 8:46 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 08:46:09 -0500

Came back from Kuwait in October of 2014, Arifjan is like being in the states, brick buildings etc, spents a few weeks out in one of the outer bases, not bad either, I just used skype, if you want to call home you can use skype cheaper than using your phone, texts messages thru ATT were another means of communication that did not cost an arm and a leg. The had vending machines that you could purchase cards for internet that were more affordable than when I was in Afghanistan. I paid $130 a month in KAF for reliable internet. BAF was almost as bad and the internet would get over loaded there.

Response by LTC Daren Walker made Jan 5 at 2018 9:32 AM

LTC Daren Walker — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 09:32:50 -0500

As others have noted, Kuwait, specifically Arifjan, has nearly all of the amenities of a stateside post.
I was in Arifjan from Feb-Nov 2015. At that time the Wifi options for the barracks were to either purchase a Wifi calling card from one of the vending machines at the PX, or an air card which you could use from anywhere on post. Additionally, there was free WiFi from certain locations like the MWR center, library, etc.
If you have a smartphone with Wifi calling capability (which pretty much all smartphones offer), you can use this to call home. I talked to my family every day. Additionally, as others have noted here, there are many options for apps which provide face-to-face as well as voice (Skype, FaceTime, etc).
You'll be fine.

Response by SGT Jody Trapp made Jan 5 at 2018 10:45 AM

SGT Jody Trapp — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 10:45:34 -0500

They have what’s called sapphire now which is a wireless internet hub... u can buy a certain amount gigs per month and you can use it anywhere in the world... a little pricey but it’s worth it... plus everything that everyone else has posted is good too... we always used whatsapp to communicate and iMessage if u have WiFi...

T-Mobile has free texting... but make sure if u have Verizon that you shut your service off completely before you get there... they tried to charge me roaming even when i was on WiFi..

Arifjan is garrison otherwise... so you will be fine

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jan 5 at 2018 10:54 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 10:54:20 -0500

When I visited Kuwait in 2010, we used Skype to communicate with our families in CONUS. Worked well on Camp Arifjan and in Kuwait City where our host had a US Government-provided apartment.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2018 11:59 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 11:59:08 -0500

I truly appreciate all that have taken the time to help me out. The information that you all provided gave me a better idea of what to expect. Thank you all

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jan 5 at 2018 12:41 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 12:41:09 -0500

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2018 3:45 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 15:45:31 -0500

If you have an I phone you can get the Kuwaiti phone plan by using their SIM card in your phone and have unlimited data. Just ask your carrier to unlock your phone which they usually do for troops. The unlimited plan is pretty affordable

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2018 12:15 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 00:15:10 -0500

What’s App was my preferred method of communication. Used it in multiple countries without a problem.

Response by PO3 Gary Wright made Jan 8 at 2018 2:19 AM

PO3 Gary Wright — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 02:19:27 -0500

Check to see if your cell phone had WiFi Calling. My Galaxy S7 did and I used it in the UAE on a business trip last March. Called home every day using the hotel WiFi for no cost
Not sure what internet options you may have but it is worth checking out.

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2018 9:36 AM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 09:36:13 -0500

Internet Skype. Puck can be purchased at PX

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2018 9:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 21:50:04 -0500

There is one spot that I can remember that has free wifi. I personally used facebook messenger and skype. There is also a craigslist that people are buying and selling things all the time. Good luck and be safe!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2018 10:32 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 10:32:53 -0500

I was there last year, basically a very garrison environment. your best bet is before you go, look up the installation craigslist on facebook. Then you can contact another soldier and get a wifi puck for cheap. every month its like 20-40 bucks for like 500GB of 4G Data. you can also buy a sim card which does the same thing as the puck but eliminates the need for one. also, the chip can have an installment plan to make phone calls. On post, there will literally be a specific store for purchasing these things, let alone wifi in the barracks. Trust me you will catch on quickly to how it works and have no issues contacting home.