Internet In Iraq

Internet in Iraq helps soldiers and civilian workers keep in touch with their loved ones during the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If you have a computer in the office where you work in Iraq and Afghanistan, chances are there is a connection to the internet.

Most companies, including the United States Military allow you to send and receive personal e-mails so you can keep in touch with your family and friends. They understand that since you are so far from home, it is important for you to stay connected to your loved ones. Doing so makes you happier and gives your employer a happier employee!

For those of you who do not work in an office, if you have a laptop computer, you can hook up by wireless connection to the internet in Iraq and Afghanistan if your base has wireless internet.

Now, for those of you who do not have a laptop, myself included, almost every base has a place where you can go and use an already set up computer to e-mail and conduct your other business online. Some are free. Others are not. Internet cafes cost about $5 for an hour or so, depending on how crowded it is.

These internet cafes also allow you to bring in your own laptop and hook up to the internet in Iraq and Afghanistan but you still have to pay a fee. This is money well spent for the peace of mind you get knowing that your spouse and children or parents are doing well. You can check your bank accounts, pay bills online, purchase things and have them shipped to you overseas, etc. You can also check the latest news and even catch up on your favorite TV shows!

Some of these internet cafes allow you to call home through the computer while others do not permit you to use a microphone there. To me, this is wrong but I have been told in some places to take the headset off as there is no talking by computer.

Any type of porn is not allowed there so don't even think about it. Stay clean and contact your family. You can send and receive photos through the computer. You can even use a web cam so your loved ones can see you and you can see them if you get a live call or chat going with them.

***UPDATE***May 2008

While I was home on leave in May of 2008, my wife and I bought matching laptops with built-in web cams. So now we can call each other everyday and talk for a little while. MSN Messenger advises me when my wife gets online and it also advises her when I get online. This way, I can talk to my teenagers and resolve problems when they come up. The good news is that it is all free.

Sometimes, when a lot of other base mates are online and I have made the call, the internet in Iraq and Afghanistan moves slow. This can make the audio stop working. Usually when this happens, my wife hangs up and dials me back and that takes care of it. These laptops are great!

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