Homesick Soldier Gets Break On Cell Bill

[danny boi]

U.S. National - AP


GI in Iraq Gets Break on $3K Phone Bill
Fri Apr 9,12:24 PM ET Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo!



NATICK, Mass. - A homesick soldier in Iraq (news - web sites) who racked up more than $3,000 on his cell phone bill will get a break on the bill — due in part to his father's efforts back home.


Army Reserve Sgt. Bryan Fletcher has been in Iraq since May, when his unit crossed the border with Kuwait. Though his account with T-Mobile was suspended in January, he still owed $3,411.


Fletcher had already paid $3,911 for calls made between November and December. Although T-Mobile gave him a $501 credit for international text messaging, he was hit with a $200 early termination fee.


Jim Fletcher told the MetroWest Daily News in Thursday's editions that he was seeking credit on behalf of his son, who is "just a soldier over there trying to find a way to call home while he's on an extended deployment."


On Thursday, a T-Mobile spokesman said the company would cover the remaining balance.


"T-Mobile has offered to credit the outstanding balance as a result of Mr. Fletcher's special circumstance of active military service in the Middle East," spokesman Bryan Zidar said.


Fletcher, 25, is due home next month.







[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img] Nice of T-mobile taking care of the troops. I do believe everyone should be responsible for their own, but if they want to pay for it why not? Wonder of word of this will get around and other troops opt to have their carrier foot their bill? I guess whenever minutes don't work in Iraq. What frequency do the middle eastern areas use? 900 MHz or 1800 MHz?

[MOTOhooligan]

Wow. A $3000 credit? That is insane.

[ShoresGuy]

Lol if you check T-Mobile's website you'll see why his bill was so high. Orascom (the Iraqi GSM network) is in the most expensive category for T-Mobile's World Class Roaming, it's a whooping $4.99 per minute!!

Orascom @ T-Mobile.com

The Middle East uses GSM 900/1800 just like Europe and Asia.

[ILUVSOCAL]

Now, if they'd just bring all those guys home and get them out of that mess [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

[budney]

If I where T-Mobile I would have his employer flip the bill. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] But I doubt they would pay, they as they make the wounded soldiers pay for there food & medical bills when they get home. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]

Two thumbs up for T-Mo!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

[MrFlashport]

Yeah, and to think, while the brave men and women of our armed services get the shaft when they return, we are sending billions of dollars in aid to countries that hate us, burn our flags, and use the money and resources we send to train terrorists to come over to our land and destroy us...is it just me or are our priorites a little off?

[ILUVSOCAL]

They've been off ever since a village idiot from Texas left his village [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] The poor treatment of vets, well, that's been going on for a long time, sadly, it doesn't seem to ever change.

[agentHibby]

One month for Verizon I did not have to pay for a month of Service "they messed up" only paid wireless taxes that month.
I tired to pay it, because I am honest.
but the person in customer service said forget about it. I found that strange Verizon not wanting my money. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

[ILUVSOCAL]

Lol Yeah, usually companies want their money no matter what, and have no patience, but man, when they have to pay you, they seem to have all the patience in the world!

[NokiaKrazy]

How long has the Middle East had GSM? I was over there in 1995. My phone was "No service" the entire time I was there. Could not use it for 6 months.

Used it last in Philadelphia - no use for 6 months. - Then Philadelphia again. Phone bill wasn't to expensive for half a year.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

[ShoresGuy]

There's a hefty debate going on over at Howard's Forums about this one:

Link

[agentHibby]

Originally posted by: ILUVSOCAL Lol Yeah, usually companies want their money no matter what, and have no patience, but man, when they have to pay you, they seem to have all the patience in the world!

My grandma when she moved into my hometown had to leave Verizon Wireless (wanted a local number Verizon had already been fired at this time). It took them 7 months to get het check for the month that she paid in advance that she did not use! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img]

[AnthroMatt]

Originally posted by: ShoresGuy There's a hefty debate going on over at Howard's Forums about this one: Link

I actually agree with those people saying T-Mobile was put in a bind when the press came calling and did something they shoudn't have. Whatr about all the other soldiers that left their phones at home? A friend of mine that served in the first Iraq war wonders what the hell this guy was doing that he was able to call home (for about 30 minutes each day!) and send hundreds of text messages while he is in the middle of a war zone.

[ShoresGuy]

Originally posted by: AnthroMatt Originally posted by: ShoresGuy There's a hefty debate going on over at Howard's Forums about this one: Link I actually agree with those people saying T-Mobile was put in a bind when the press came calling and did something they shoudn't have. Whatr about all the other soldiers that left their phones at home? A friend of mine that served in the first Iraq war wonders what the hell this guy was doing that he was able to call home (for about 30 minutes each day!) and send hundreds of text messages while he is in the middle of a war zone.

Matt, my middle brother is serving the last month of his year's deployment with his Army Reserve Military Police Unit north of Baghdad and when he last spoke to my parents, he said that things have been very slow where his unit is (between Tikrit and Baghdad). He is at a large base so it's surprising how quiet some portions of that country can be. But that soldier must have had too much time on his hands.

[AnthroMatt]

I'm somewhat surpised to hear that things are slow in some places, especially with the recent talk of sending more troops to Iraq. Still, I think my friend was more surprised that the soldier could get away with daily phone calls home more than actually having the time to do so.

[POLTroop82]

Things are slow in some places, but things are getting worse in others, and we do need more troops.

I am over here right now, and it is not bad, as far as living conditions, but things are tensing up, and we are getting mortered, but God is watching over us. We just got hit like three minutes ago so we all get down and pray for the best.

As far as the phone bill, I dont know why he would rack up that bill. We have ATT calling centers for 35 cents to the minute, and most of us get two fifteen minute phone calls a week for free. I think it was just for PR for us. I would never pay 4.99 a minute to call.

[ShoresGuy]

Originally posted by: POLTroop82 Things are slow in some places, but things are getting worse in others, and we do need more troops. I am over here right now, and it is not bad, as far as living conditions, but things are tensing up, and we are getting mortered, but God is watching over us. We just got hit like three minutes ago so we all get down and pray for the best. As far as the phone bill, I dont know why he would rack up that bill. We have ATT calling centers for 35 cents to the minute, and most of us get two fifteen minute phone calls a week for free. I think it was just for PR for us. I would never pay 4.99 a minute to call.

Boy take care of yourselves out there, my brother is attached to the 341st MP Co from San Jose, CA. They're due back home in early May. One can only thank you guys for sacrificing a lot to keep the world safe.

All the Best..........

[POLTroop82]

I have a lot of respect for the army. They take most of the force, and do the most sacrificing. Most of them are gone for an entire year. I will be praying for your brother.

[ShoresGuy]

Originally posted by: POLTroop82 I have a lot of respect for the army. They take most of the force, and do the most sacrificing. Most of them are gone for an entire year. I will be praying for your brother.

Thanks, he's almost done, we're hoping that his unit doesn't get extended but as you know, things are really uncertain in that area and any units coming back home might be back there in a few month's time.

[RBOCMAN]

Who said the germans weren't supporting us in Iraq?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Good ol' homegrown texan Halibababurtan overcharges our troops for meals and gas....thats irony.