Is there a GSM/GPRS cellphone network or a blackberry service that works for UK devices? Or is it a case of being reliant still on satellite phones?
(Asking in military as hopefully some of you that has served or are serving would know).
I meant generally available as opposed just through the military.
why is this sensitive info? Either there is a civilian mobile phone network or there isn’t.
Oh my you are a paranoid little lot. I am a paediatrician and ED doctor and am volunteering to go. I am non military and want to know if I should take my satellite Iridium phone or my standard UK mobile.
PAD-D… trust me I’ve been to far worse places!
I can’t believe you’re getting all these retarded responses. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. All of you who gave bogus answers should be ashamed of yourselves. If any of you had an ounce of decency, you’d have taken your lives for shame long ago.
There is a civilian GSM cellular network available in Iraq. It’s called IraQna: http://www.iraqna.com/ and it’s quite reliable. Satellite phones of course work (I’ve used one myself on several occasions) but there’s simply no need for them if you’re going to stay in or around urban areas. Iraq may have trouble with electricity and running water, but satellite dishes and cellular networks are rife.
You should have roaming available for your cellular phone from the UK. The cost is likely to be prohibitive. My advice to you would be for you to take your UK phone with you, so as you touch down in Jordan, Kuwait, Turkey (wherever you’re entering Iraq from) and staging out, you can still call people.
Once you get to Iraq, have one of the local nationals (interpreter type) help you get you a phone off the local market.
Good luck.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
depends on how well established the base is. if you wanna know about civilian network give the international operator a call. they should be able to tell you.
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January 18th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Why would you need such sensitive information like this? Sorry, I don’t know anything about you or your motives!
Jammu, Aug 8 (IANS) As mobile telephones proliferate in Jammu and Kashmir, security agencies in the state are concerned over the threat they could pose - including as triggers for deadly explosions.
Intelligence agencies in the state have information that terrorist groups could use mobile phones to cause improvised explosive device (IED) blasts through remote control. They say explosives can be planted in a mobile phone and the blast triggered by making a call to the phone.
EDIT: I checked out your profile. Other than being a bit flat-chested and plain, you are probably o.k. Sorry, but in times like these, one cannot be too careful!!!
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http://in.news.yahoo.com/060808/43/66i7c.html
January 18th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
are you a terrorist?
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January 18th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
hmmm, why do you "need this info?: …surly not for the troops
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January 18th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
hello
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January 18th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
muck to be honest with you take the satelite phone comms over there are intermitant at best with them blowing towers up left right and chelsea, plus lads i know who took mobiles got massive bills for 2 minute calls due to having to go through so many networks and not always being in a good area.
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January 18th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Why do people have to be so rude and suspicious?
Mucky dear, you’re a joy and a delight and I wish you every success in your voluntary work.
Good on yer, girl.
XXX
Jon C
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January 19th, 2010 at 12:35 am
there should be one since the coalition forces controls major infrastructure ur blackberry or GSM should work
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January 19th, 2010 at 1:01 am
You’re going to Iraq? Beee careful; that’s what I would say to my daughter
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January 19th, 2010 at 1:49 am
RIght network cover over there is cr@p. phones calls cost the earth out there. Its like one pound a min just to leave a voice mail then that person pays to collect the voice mail, its mad and its not worth it really.
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January 19th, 2010 at 2:14 am
just what IRAQ needs another do gooder who will end up getting hurt or killed…. enjoy yourself…
if you see someone running at you with his hands in his pockets get ready to kiss your ass good bye,,,
i am sure they have phone networks as well, would say not very good ones and it will cost you a lot of money for just a few minutes call…
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January 19th, 2010 at 2:32 am
The local mobile network works sometimes , its under constant surveillance by the US and British.
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January 19th, 2010 at 3:09 am
I would take both if i were you. Iridium is good over there. Unlike what francis f has said as sattelite phones dont use towers. they use sattelites…. funny that
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January 19th, 2010 at 3:15 am
I don’t know but good luck! Very noble of you to put yourself in such danger to help others.
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January 19th, 2010 at 3:55 am
take the sat phone leave the cell or blackberry. There are cell towers in different locations. But they are different providers. So you will need to buy the sim card there also. You can get a phone for about 50US dollars and a sim for about $30
And I called back to Germany all thetime on it it only cost me about 22cents a minute
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January 19th, 2010 at 4:13 am
I can’t believe you’re getting all these retarded responses. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. All of you who gave bogus answers should be ashamed of yourselves. If any of you had an ounce of decency, you’d have taken your lives for shame long ago.
There is a civilian GSM cellular network available in Iraq. It’s called IraQna: http://www.iraqna.com/ and it’s quite reliable. Satellite phones of course work (I’ve used one myself on several occasions) but there’s simply no need for them if you’re going to stay in or around urban areas. Iraq may have trouble with electricity and running water, but satellite dishes and cellular networks are rife.
You should have roaming available for your cellular phone from the UK. The cost is likely to be prohibitive. My advice to you would be for you to take your UK phone with you, so as you touch down in Jordan, Kuwait, Turkey (wherever you’re entering Iraq from) and staging out, you can still call people.
Once you get to Iraq, have one of the local nationals (interpreter type) help you get you a phone off the local market.
Good luck.
References :