Anybody know the cheapest way to make call from Japan to the US?

[Cruz Family]

My step-son is a US Marine, soon he will be stationed in Japan. We looked into getting him a cell phone to take but the charge would be $2 a minute. Does anyone know of a cheaper way for him to make calls back home? We were thinking of calling cards??? I don't know??? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! TIA, Melissa

 

[smacky1]

You can get international calling cards.....they actually sell them in some convenience stores that cover many parts of asia. My mom calls to asia ofter so I will ask her today how she does it and get back to you.

 

[asoko]

I agree, international prepaid calling card. My mom got one at Sam's Club or Costco for my BIL when he went to France, I've used them in Mexico and Czech Republic. But you have to make sure it is an international card.

 

[Cruz Family]

Wow thanks for such quick responses!!!! I will have to go look into those.

 

[bavaria]

Skype

 

[Chkysbak]

I was recently in Iraq this past year, and the American Red Cross would give soldiers 100 minute phone cards (1 per week) for free. It was a great thing. Don't get international cards, they cost WAY to much. Just have your son call his local DSN line. If he is calling from a military line (DON'T USE THE AT&T TRAILERS) the DSN call is free. Once he contacts his local DSN line, tell the operator that you are making a moral call. Sometimes that works, but only for 10 minutes. If you want to talk longer, tell the operator to connect you to the 800 number of the calling card. Since the DSN is INCONUS, its not considered an international call. Hope this helps

 

[Cruz Family]

Skype

I have heard of it but really don't know much about it. Can you give me a little more info?

I was recently in Iraq this past year, and the American Red Cross would give soldiers 100 minute phone cards (1 per week) for free. It was a great thing. Don't get international cards, they cost WAY to much. Just have your son call his local DSN line. If he is calling from a military line (DON'T USE THE AT&T TRAILERS) the DSN call is free. Once he contacts his local DSN line, tell the operator that you are making a moral call. Sometimes that works, but only for 10 minutes. If you want to talk longer, tell the operator to connect you to the 800 number of the calling card. Since the DSN is INCONUS, its not considered an international call. Hope this helps

Its a little confusing but definitely helpful, thanks!

 

[Taylors6]

My best friends husband is Marine and they were sent to Okinawa a little over 2 years ago. We were really concerned about calling rates- because we talk almost every day! They were in NC though and we used the same cell carrier- so free minutes! Once she got there though they got in with Vonage- and she picked a number that was close to us (not that it matters I think because I think its unlimted LD)- I don't know much but I think it goes through their computer- but they have a regular phone in their house that they bought. It has been a true lifesaver for us! Its the time change that causes problems now- so we don't talk as much as we used to - but she loves it and I think only pays under $30 per month for it. You can not even tell that its not a regular conventional phone line.

Good Luck!

Missy

 

[mmskids]

Quote:
Originally Posted by bavaria View Post
Skype
I have heard of it but really don't know much about it. Can you give me a little more info?

If he has internet access and his own pc, he goes to skype.com and installs their program. If you want to do it completely for free, you must also install the same program on your pc at home. It's just like a phone except the call is through the computer. I travel tons on business and it's the only way I call home. We have younger kids so they love the webcam also. Japan should be no problem but in some of Asia the quality of the lines stink that the webcam really doesn't work well. However the voice is usually clear.
He can make calls for around 1 cents a minute by using his pc and calling out to a regular phone line. You have to prebuy the minutes but for international calling, it's cheaper and no operator to deal with.

 

[lovemygoofy]

When he gets settled, he can get a cell phone there from another solider leaving or local company on post. It would be cheaper for him there to get one than bring one from the states.

Another option is SKYPE. It's a downloadable program for computers, and can now buy the phones, and if both parties have skype on their PCs it is either free of very inexpensive.

I've also known of military families overseas that had home landlines but American phone number with Vonage and then their families home in the states only had long distance charges to call.

I would wait until your stepson arrives in Japan and see what the others stationed there recommend.

 

[joellyn23]

Skype

My nephew (marine) was just stationed in Japan. He used Skype all the time to talk to my sister. I don't have it so I can't give specifics, but they loved it.

 

[jenndisney]

Skype is the way to go. My Best Friend is a missionary in India and this is how she keeps in touch with all of us back in the states.

 

[bavaria]

Others have given the details; as someone who travels around the world, I use Skype almost exclusively, in preference to my various cel phones. Call quality is also better than other VOIPs I have tried, and Skype seems to be the preferred option outside the US.

I have been in remote places in India, during monsoon season, and was still able to Skype via voice or IM so long as I had a relatively decent internet connection.

I joined Skype in the early days so my plan is very cheap but even current plans are cheap for a year of calling; Skype to Skype is free still I believe.

 

[wasmws]

My brother is stationed at Camp Zama in Japan and we use Skype all the time. It's really nice for my kids to get to see their cousins (via webcam) when they talk. Definitely makes them seem not so far away.

 

[Cruz Family]

Thank you all for input, it is really helpful. I also want to thank all of you with loved ones serving our country. It was very overwhelming for us when my step-son (who is more like my very own) came to us last fall and told us he wanted to finish High School early so he could become a Marine. We really thought he would quickly change his mind once he learned how hard it would be. Well we could not have been more wrong. He did in fact graduate in early February (still only 17) and left for basic training two weeks later. He just turned 18 on July 20th, will be visiting in a couple of weeks and then off to Japan. Of course we are nervous but the pride we have just so overpowers any other emotions. He is our hero!!!!!
Thank you all again, I can always count on my friends here at the DIS!!!!

 

[lsytman]

My son is also a U.S. Marine stationed in Japan. I bought an international calling card which I think is pretty cheap. My son calls me from a phone through Vonage he has there (which has our area code). See if your son can get hooked up to that.