Soldiers See Families From the Battlefield

Sep 4
18:08

2006

Martin OKeeffe

Martin OKeeffe

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VoIP service enables videophone calls to families back home.

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Internet phone technology is helping military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan stay in touch with their loved ones.

Broadband telephone service is proving popular with troops because,Soldiers See Families From the Battlefield Articles unlike some standard voice communications in those countries, it allows them to talk and see their loved ones as long as they want.

Voice over Internet Protocol technology, or VoIP, is deployed in a lightweight box the size of a book. It can be used with any standard phone.

"It works through the high-speed Internet. Here in Iraq, we have Internet cafes where we are able to hook our Voice-over-IP boxes into," Army 1st Sgt. Jeffery Mack said from Baghdad during a phone interview using VoIP technology with Louisville Courier-Journal reporter Wayne Thompkins.

"In a matter of seconds, we have dial tone," said Mack, who is a VoIP sales agent in Baghdad in addition to his responsibilities with the 22nd Signal Brigade. "We have some military lines -- called morale lines -- however the morale lines allow only 15 minutes at a time before they automatically disconnect. And there's a line of people behind you."

Including tax, soldiers pay a flat rate of $25.74 a month for the service. A videophone is now available for the same monthly rate that enhances the service further.  At a recent industry conference in Louisville that I attended, the audience was treated to a live VoIP videophone conversation with Sgt. Mack.

"There are some soldiers spending upwards of $75 a month on calling cards to call home sometimes," said Mack, 39, a Los Angeles native.   He said he has distributed about three dozen of the devices since he arrived in Iraq on Thanksgiving.

Mack, a 20-year Army veteran, said his knowledge of VoIP technology came naturally. He has worked with communications since coming into the Army -- including a six-year stint with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky.

"Actually, the Army uses the same technology itself to provide communications for the war theater," Mack said. "I basically provide the same type of services to the soldier."

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