Phoning home

[mattbrett]

Hey guys,
I'm starting at Saba in May 2004
I was just wondering if anyone has some insight into calling back to the US/Canada.
What is the best option for calling home?
Also, has anyone tried using webcams to connect with anyone back in the states/canada?
Thanks a lot. Appreciate the help,

Matt

[vez20]

There are some options , but one, that should be avoided is using your debit or credit card from the dorm's phone or street phones. The connection fee is $14.99, charge per min. $4.99 for minimum of 5 min. Even if there is only an answering mashine message, you will be charged ...$39.91.
Beware of the company called: Call to International. located in Long View, Texas. If somebody have been already burned by them, make complain to the FCC, copy to BBB and your state governor. The company is on US teritory, so the FCC rules should apply to them.
:roll: Vez20

[mattbrett]

You mentioned that there are some options - what are those,
and what do you and others on the island currently use?

Thanks again,
Matt

[vez20]

You can use Dial up, or buy a phone card, main opption is to get calls from the US. Your folks can call you for 13c/min using for example www.speedypin.com
Don't forget to bring your cell phone . For $10 monthly fee you can activate it to recieve calls with no charge for incoming calls. On the campus you can use pay phones with local coins , also to call St.Marten, use the phone on the campus - 50 cents/ local money/.
Once you arrive, you can compare with the other students to see what else is availble, things change.
Hope, it help, V.

[swinginislanddoc]

Matt,
No panicky!!! You can call directly home (but 'tis expensive) or check out AmericaOneMD. Be forwarned that AOMD is not always completely reliable, and if there's a bad storm going on you won't get a great reception in any way. It's much cheaped to have your friends and family call you. Check out www.callingcards.com and look up prices for Netherlands Antilles. It's about $.12-.13/min. From the island to home with AOMD is $.18-.20/min.

As for the cell phones, just be cautious that it's better to have a phone that is not pre-programmed, which most cell phones are (meaning a Verizon phone is programmed to work for Verizon, Sprint for Sprint, etc.) They seem to be rather fond of Nokias down here. If you get one down here on St. Martin it'll cost about $200 - better to bring your own and see if they can set it up for you.

If you have any more questions just post 'em!
~SID