Pretty much everything that one could expect anywhere can be found in Afghanistan - from transport services to mobile phones. 

Flying to Afghanistan 

Ariana Set up with the help of PanAm in the late 1940s, state-run Ariana has recently replaced its fleet with a donation of Airbus planes from Indian Airlines which will soon be replaced with new Boeing Aircraft. It operates an increasing number of routes into Kabul - including Daily from Dubai, and twice a week to Islamabad (Pakistan) and New Delhi (India). Flight times should be checked - see www.flyariana.com.

Kam Air is the first private airline in Afghanistan. Since a tragic crash when the airline started (flying very old 727 Aircraft) their fleet has been replaced with new Boeing 737s. They operate services to New Delhi, Dubai, and Moscow. Check www.flykamair.com for contact details / flight routes. The website might not be completely up to date at all times.

Air India - Air India offer a twice a week service between New Delhi and Kabul including through tickets from destinations throughout Asia and Europe to Kabul. See www.airindia.in

Pakistan International Airways flies three times a week between Islamabad and Kabul (one flight a week stops in Peshawar, all others are non-stop. PIA also offers through tickets between European / Asian destinations to Kabul. Be prepared at Islamabad Airport to get some local currency and spend some time in the restaurant - the Airport has no indoor waiting areas before check in. See www.piac.com.pk

Mobile Phones 

There are three mobile phone networks in Afghanistan - Roshan, AWCC, and the new Areeba. Any mobile phone that works in Europe will work in Afghanistan - US/Canadian visitors need to purchase a phone here ($50) or bring a Triband phone from home. There is coverage in all of Kabul, and most towns, provinces, and most highways. Average call cost is about $0.10/min. 

Roshan - Currently, Roshan is one of the largest private company employers in Afghanistan, directly employing over 470 people, 21% of whom are women. In addition, Roshan provides indirect employment to more than 5,000 people who work as dealers, distributors, contractors and suppliers. Roshan is known to provide a very reliable service and allows you to send/receive text messages internationally.

AWCC - Afghan Wireless - Afghan Wireless Communication Company is the product of founder Ehsan Bayat's mission to reconnect Afghanistan with the wider world. Bayat, an Afghan immigrant and a successful businessman in the United States, began to realize his dream in 2001, after the fall of the Taliban. By December 2001, his U.S. Company, Telephone Systems International, Inc. began seeking equipment vendors willing to build a phone system in a country still emerging from more than two decades of war. Afghan Wireless would battle logistical problems, political instability, physical insecurity and hours of environmental challenges to launch its service. Afghan wireless was the first mobile phone company in Afghanistan but unfortunately now suffers from occassional techincal difficulties. It is slightly cheaper than Roshan

Areeba - Areeba is the newest mobile phone company in Afghanistan being started in July 2006. Areeba offer reliable coverage and a rate of less than $0.10 USD/min to any mobile phone in Afghanistan. They additionally offer text info services (news, sports, etc) free of charge and it is thought plan to offer mobile internet services.

Internet

Internet is now widely available in Kabul - most workplaces employing international staff have internet connections and Internet cafes are common throughout Kabul. Access in the provinces can be more difficult - check with the locals. You can send/receive email by SMS starting September 2006 with PAIWASTOON. For $70 you can purchase a CDMA 3G phone and have internet access at home (conected to your laptop/desktop computer) 

Visas 

All non-Afghan nationals require a Visa to enter Afghanistan - which you need to get before you travel. Getting an Afghan Visa is normally very simple - just get a letter from your employer in Afghanistan, complete the form, mail your passport to the embassy it normally comes in a few days.

Simply contact the Afghan Embassy in your country or nearest country.