CrewzFöne - GSM Mobile Phone Prepaid Service for Crew Members at Sea

On ships that we have installed our service, crew members can now make and receive calls on their mobile phones at normal international roaming rates. With the introduction of CrewzFöne service, crew members can also make and receive calls, as well as send and receive text messages at special rates available only to crew members while at sea. This service requires an unlocked GSM phone, a CrewzFöne SIM card and a PIN (both available onboard).

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Services • Access to WMS Network • Activation and Top Up •
Portability • Charges, Billing, and Customer Service

Services

1. CrewzFöne - Prepaid Service for Crew

a. What is CrewzFöne service?

CrewzFöne service is an alternative to existing crew prepaid services on cruise ships. The service is available only to crew members and is only available when the ship is at sea away from land based service.
Use of this service requires a CrewzFöne SIM card, which is available onboard and CrewzFöne PIN, also available onboard.

Crew members can place calls, and can receive calls placed to the phone number associated with their CrewzFöne account.

Crew members can send and receive SMS (text messages) sent to the phone number associated with their CrewzFöne account.

b. Why use CrewzFöne service?

CrewzFöne service rates are comparable with rates for crew calls made using wired phones onboard without the restrictions of finding a phone, getting a line, finding numbers to dial waiting for a connection to call. In addition, CrewzFöne service includes direct dial outbound and incoming calls (including caller ID), and sending and receiving text messaging (SMS), with contacts stored on the SIM card. 

c. How can I get CrewzFöne service?

SIM cards and PINs can be purchased from a vending machine in ship’s crew area. The machine accepts USD bills in $5 / $10 / $20 / $50 denominations, (No coins, credit or debit cards are accepted; and no change provided.) Top up instructions are printed on the PIN receipt.

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Access to WMS Network

a. How do I access the WMS network?

Turn on your mobile phone when the ship is at sea, and the phone should automatically find and select the WMS network. If after a couple of minutes the phone still displays “searching” or “no network found”, then from the phone menu do a manual search for network selection options. Depending on phone make and model you should see an option for 901 18, NOR 18, or cellular@SEA. Select this network and the phone should register and display one of the above network names.

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a. How do I activate SIM cards and account?

Purchase a CrewzFöne PIN from the vending machine onboard and refresh the account by dialing a USSD access number, *#132#PINnumber#. Enter the information displayed on the printed slip. The system will respond back with new balance, expiration date and the user’s phone number. This phone number should be used for all incoming calls and SMS. It is recommended that you enable PIN on the SIM card after activation to prevent it from being used inadvertently by somebody else. This can be done through the Security setting on the phone.

b. How do I top up or recharge the balance on the account?

Purchase a CrewzFöne PIN from the vending machine onboard and refresh the account by dialing a USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data - is a GSM communication technology that is used to send text between a mobile phone and an application program in the network) access number, *#132#PINnumber#. Use the PIN displayed on the printed slip. The system will respond back with the new balance and expiration date for the account.

c. How do I check my account balance?

To check the account balance/status send a USSD message *#133# which will return a USSD message with the current balance (in US$) and expiration date of the balance along with the current rate plan. This is in effect the Peak or Off-Peak status.

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a. Can I use my CrewzFöne SIM card on a different ship if I change jobs?

A CrewzFöne SIM card will work on any ship equipped with this service. If a user changes ships or even companies, the same SIM card will work and you can keep the same phone number.

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1. CrewzFöne

a. Will I get charged for calls to 800 (toll free) numbers?

Yes. Calls made to US Toll Free numbers are not free. All calls made to 800/866/877/888 numbers are charged at the same rates as US calls. b. The following table includes frequently used special numbers and associated charges.

c. What are Peak and Off-Peak Times?

Rates for crew members using the CrewzFöne service are lower during off-peak times. Peak/Off-Peak times will be based on approximated local time of the ship at its current location. We recommend that you check by sending a USSD message to confirm peak or off-peak status. The off-peak times typically run from  midnight to noon.

d. How do I check if current rate is Peak or Off-Peak?

To check peak or off-peak status and your account balance send a USSD message *#133# which will return a USSD message with current balance (in US$) and expiration along with the current rate plan (Peak or Off-Peak) in effect.

e. How much do I pay for CrewzFöne service?

There is no monthly service fee for CrewzFöne Service. There are no connection fees, minimum charges, or set-up fees. All voice calls are billed real time based on 1 minute minimum and per minute increments thereafter. Outgoing calls will be based on destination and Peak/Off-Peak time. Incoming voice calls will be charged for air time. There are no Peak/Off-Peak special rates for inbound calls. Outgoing SMS are charged a flat fee regardless of destination. There is no charge for receiving SMS.

f. What are long distance rates for CrewzFöne service?

Long distance rates are comparable with rates for crew calls from fixed phones on ship. While using the CrewzFöne service you don’t have the restrictions of waiting for a line, finding numbers to dial, or wasting time waiting for a connection.

g. For how long can the same PIN be used with CrewzFöne service?

PIN’s will be valid for the following usage period from activation. If a balance remains at the end of the validity period, it will be deleted. If prior to expiration another CrewzFöne PIN is used to top up the account, the complete new balance (including what was existing before top up) will have the expiration associated with the new (last) PIN activated.

Service will be suspended if an account balance remains at zero for 60 days. A user wishing to reconnect after 60 days will be required to buy a new SIM card and will not be able to retain the original mobile number.

h. Can I receive calls and SMS with a zero balance?

With a zero balance on the account you can not make or receive calls or SMS messages but can of course top up the account for up to 60 days before the account is suspended.

i. How much do I pay if a call drops using the CrewzFöne service?

For any call that drops due to satellite or other reasons after connecting, the charge will end at the time the call drops.

j. Do I pay for calls on CrewzFöne service that are not answered?

Calls that you make that are not answered (by user or answer-phone/voicemail/recorded announcement) are not charged. Similarly, incoming calls that you do not answer are not charged.

k. How much does it cost for a call/SMS to my CrewzFöne number?

For all calls and SMS to crew members with CrewzFöne service, the originator will be charged as for calls to UK mobiles with whatever rates are applicable for international service depending on the originating network.

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