Job Discussion Forums

[Yorrick85]

Hi Guys

Hoping one of you tech savvy folks can help.

I have an unlocked iphone from Australia. Can anyone recommend a company / plan to sign up for?

I'm only in Japan 1 year so I'm thinking prepaid is better? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!!!

[Charlie Bourque]

If I'm not mistaken, you can't use an American iPhone in Japan or Korea, since they use a different sort of SIM card or something.

I'm not sure on the specifics though.

[Mr_Monkey]

In an area with a 3G network (most urban areas), you should be able to use the phone's data capabilities.

However, Japan's voice network is WCDMA, whereas most of the rest of the world uses GSM. I'm not sure if you'll be able to make voice calls.

You'll just have to suck it up and get a Japanese phone, I think.

[G Cthulhu]

[Inflames]

Actually it's entirely possible as almost all iPhones run on the same frequencies. Phones from Verizon in the US and AU in Japan are the only exceptions I can think of and they're recent as Apple didn't want to make a special one for them.

Based on what I've read, some shops will sign you up but the DoCoMo plans are terrible. B-mobile was recommended and here's their page for the iPhone 4 (only in Japanese):
http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/sim_tm/index.html

[kathrynoh]

I've been trying to do the same with an Australian android phone and it's pretty difficult. Here's what I've found out so far.

Domoco no longer do any prepaid.

B-mobile you need Japanese id (eg. alien registration card) and Japanese credit card!

Softbank's policy changes btw different stores and even different staff members in the same store. They will pretty much only do SIM card only for softbank phones though and seem pretty eager to get you on a post-paid plan (I'm figuring it must mean more commission for them). If you do get a plan, you can cancel it at any time for around 9900 yen.

[GreatApe]

Some very good information here! Thank you.