To make e-Welfare possible, a wireless Internet network was installed in the compounds. Phone calls (also the GSM mobile phone system) to and from the compounds pass via this network, that uses satellite communication.
The GSM mobile phone system, like all other e-Welfare services at the military compounds, operates via satellite communication to and from the Netherlands.
Questions about GSM? Read more at our FAQ section
This connection is set up via a so-called softphone, that you can download onto your laptop. To install this application, refer to Software support. Start up the program using your account (telephone number and PIN code, once only). You will now see an image of a phone on your screen. For improved sound quality, you can connect a headset or USB telephone to your laptop via the USB port. Now you can call any telephone number. You must of course have call credit on your account.
To use the softphone, your laptop does not need to be logged in to your Internet account. This means that the softphone can be left on standby, so that you are not paying for Internet usage. In this standby state you can also receive calls.
The call shop has a number of fixed-line IP phones. You pick up the handset and will then hear a dial tone. Key in 90# for an outside line and then key in your personal 12-digit e-Welfare PIN code (do not forget to close this with a hash sign #). If there is enough credit in your account, you can now call the number you wish. Your account must also have a positive balance (at least € 0.02) if you just want to make a free phone call to the Netherlands.
You can also receive calls on the fixed-line phones if you pass on this number to the person who is to call you. Service numbers, such as 0900 numbers, are accessible for the charges listed for these numbers. A list of these numbers can be found under Charges on this site. 0800 numbers are also available. The charge for calling these numbers is the same as for calling a fixed-line number in the Netherlands.
Click here to find out how to reach a deployed serviceman or woman connected to the e-Welfare network.
