Wireless router, cell phone, and international calls

I'm deploying to Afghanistan in August. The connectivity is obviously spotty at best where I'll be heading. The thought just popped into my head and don't understand enough about it to validate it.

Could I use a wireless router to connect my cell phone to in order to make and receive calls from the US? If so, this would be absolutely awesome! If not, how could we make it work (if it can be done at all)?

I don't believe this would be possible in the sense you're suggesting, why don't you just use something like Skype?

Absolutely an option, but a cell phone would be much more convenient. And yes I do realize convenience and war zones don't necessarily go together!

Hhhmmmm..... what about the Skype app on my phone over the router?

If you have an Android phone...check out Groove IP. It lets you make and receive calls over wifi. I use it because my normal cell signal stinks at my house.

That's freaking amazing! Any apps for texting?

get a majicjack. It will plug into the usb port of your web connected laptop or netbook and then you plug a regular phone into that. Anyone in the US will be able to call you from any phone and you will be able to call back to any phone in the US. It's about $70 which includes a year's worth of service. Plus there is no limit on the calls. You could be on the phone 24/7 365 and you will never see a bill.