Best Afghanistan SIM Cards for Cell Phones

You must have an unlocked GSM cell phone to place and receive calls while in Afghanistan. Unlocked GSM phones require the purchase of a SIM card, which contains the cell phone number, account settings and personally-saved info.

The best SIM cards to use have free incoming minutes, which usually means getting a local SIM card rather than a global roaming SIM card. The soldier calls home in the U.S. letting family know he is available to talk. The family member can then call the soldier's cell number in Afghanistan using a cheap prepaid calling card. This can really save money over time.

SIM Vendor	Telestial	Telestial
SIM card name	Explorer	Afghan Wireless
SIM cost	$59	$59
Initial airtime credit	$10	$20
Works in Iraq & Kuwait too?	yes	no
Phone number location	Estonia	Afghanistan
Incoming calls from U.S.	$1.35 / min	free
Outgoing calls to U.S.	$2.00 / min	50¢ / min
Incoming texting from U.S.	free	free
Outgoing texting to U.S.	59¢ / message	?
Local Calls	85¢ / min	10¢ / min
Service Life	12 months *	6 months *
Reload method	auto-charge	?
Reload denominations	$25	?
Voicemail?	yes	yes
Buy Now -->	buy now	buy now

*  Unlimited service life if used within the specified time period, otherwise the cell number will be recycled.

Intallation Note: Your SIM card will arrive in what looks like a credit card. Simply punch out the SIM card, which is the size of the thumbnail, and install it inside the phone, usually underneath the battery. Make sure the SIM card metal contacts are oriented correctly with the contacts in the phone. Read your GSM phone manual for specific instructions.

SIM Card Background Information

There are two types of SIM cards that can be used in cellphones in Afghanistan:

1. Global roaming SIM cards that can be used in multiple countries. You are typically issued a phone number in a country in Europe and when used in Iraq, it is in roaming mode. The advantage of a roaming SIM card is that it can be used in Iraq and Kuwait too for example or in locations where the Afghan cell network may not reach. Many times airtime can be "recharged" or "reloaded" online or by phone, which is convenient. The disadvantage is that the per-minute rates are higher and you are charged for incoming minutes. This can really add up over time.

2. Local Afghanistan SIM card that is issued by Afghan Wireless, the cellular company in Afghanistan. You are given a local Afghanistan phone number. The main advantage of using an Afghan Wireless SIM card is that the per-minute rate is cheaper and incoming minutes are free. This can really save you big money over time.