Armed Forces News

The Navy Exchange Service Command has announced a lower rate, effective Nov. 15, on its

AT&T Direct Ocean Service to $.50 per minute, down from $1 per minute. This 50 percent

price cut was made possible through the cooperative efforts of NEXCOM, AT&T Direct Ocean

Service, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command and Commander, Navy Installations

Command. “We identified five cost reduction initiatives that allowed us to reduce the

overall program’s expenses,” said Rear Adm. Robert E. Cowley III, NEXCOM commander.

“This 50 percent cost reduction will represent a $5.1 million savings to our Sailors and

Marines in 2005.” AT&T Global Prepaid Ship-To-Shore phone cards can be purchased in any

ship’s store in $20 through $40 denominations. Profits stay aboard ship to support

shipboard quality of life programs, said a NEXCOM official.