SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — Americable International Japan is offering VoIP telephones at several Japan locations starting Thursday to provide free calls for anyone on the bases to the United States during the holidays.

VoIP stands for “Voice over Internet Protocol,” the routing of voice conversations over the Internet or any other IP-based network.

For the first time this year, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Sasebo Naval Base, Yokosuka Naval Base and Yokota Air Base will offer the free VOIP calls until Jan. 3, company officials said Friday.

Anyone at these locations can make a free call to the States, said James Smith, regional manager.

“It’s a Christmas present for anyone on base,” Smith said. “Americable provides the service, base communications provide the phones and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation provides the place and the support.”

Two of the phones are on Yokosuka at the Liberty Lounge and the Seaside Club.

At Atsugi, one phone will be in the Single Sailor Lounge and another at a location to be determined, he said.

In Sasebo, two phones each will be in Pucks Café in the Harbor View Club, Fleet Landing USO and Liberty Lounge.

At Yokota Air Base, phones will be placed at Taiyo Community Center, Yujo Community Center and the Air Mobility Command Terminal, said Smith.

To use the telephones, users dial 1, the area code and the desired number. Additional instructions on using the phones will be posted.

Calls at each location have no time limit but “just as common courtesy” users are asked limit calls to 15 minutes if others are waiting, said John McCorts, Americable manager in Sasebo.

“This is our way of saying thank you to servicemembers for the job they do,” he said.

Call DSN 241-2288 for more information.