Job Discussion Forums

[worlddiva]

you are right, this does not apply to prepaid clients. Sorry, I should have specified.

WD

[Gordon]

[worlddiva]

Thanks Gord!

[tomjones7]

I have a pre-pay vodafone in Australia.

Can I use it in Japan by changing the SIM card ? Or do I have to buy a new phone ?

Thanks for any help

[worlddiva]

I don't know about Australia but I asked about the same thing regarding using a phone from Canada and they said no.

Vodafone use CDMA so that might be the first thing you wanna check. I think Australia might be GSM but I'm not sure. Anyways, regardless of that, it is very difficult to activate foreign phones as each cell phone provider wants to make money with it and makes you buy a phone.

Now, I refused to buy a phone so I got a promo with Vodafone for a free phone. Unless you want the top of the top then why bother spending the extra money right??

I used to work for a cell phone company in Canada and can tell you that each company programs their phones differently and have security codes which will lock the phone and prevent it from being used on anyone else's network. They do this to protect themselves...however, i have heard of people unlocking the phones by getting the codes online.
Or, your other option is if you know someone that works for the cell company they could probably get you the code. But. again the technology would have to be the same, i.e. CDMA, GSM, etc.

In my opinion this whole procedure would just be way too much work and not worth the time unless you've got the coolest phone on the planet and can't live without it. Anyways, I discovered that the phones in japan are very advanced with regards to all the capabilities of the phone, megapixels re: the camera etc., video...blah...blah...blah

In short, just get a phone here.
Be warned however, that the cost of having a cell here is extremely high.
In Canada for 40$/month, you could get unlimited evenings and weekends, 400 daytime minutes, caller id, voice mail, call waiting, etc.

In Japan, with Vodafone, for the same price (40$) you get 66 minutes, which sucks. However, the advantage is you don't pay for the airtime on incoming calls which was not the case in Canada.

[tomjones7]

Thanks for the info.

Looks like it'll be easier to buy a phone in Tokyo.

The pre-pay here was only $69AUD incl. $30 of calls over 2 months (+2hrs free 8pm-8am etc. etc.). So it's already paid for itself. I suppose I'll just bin it !

Salut Montreal

[Hoser]

I just picked up the Vodafone 401d. It seems like a good phone but the reception sucks in my appartment. I dont know if i made the right choice or not. I just took whatever NOVA was handing out at the orientation. Does anyone know where i can get some good ringtones? I tried one site on my phone and it said that for 300 yen per month you get so many points to download songs. Well I don't want to pay per month. I just want one ringtone and thats it. I want to pay once and only once.

ANy suggestions?

[worlddiva]

I think you can just download ringtones from your phone if you go to the web and search. one time charge! Although I couldn't quite figure out how to do it, I know you can.

As for reception, it will depend on what your building is made of ...usually concrete and certain glass contains some materials which can interfere with reception...it's normal. Also, if you are in a basement, or in the mountains or driving in between 2 18wheelers on the highway your reception will be affected or connection may be dropped.

Vodafone uses CDMA technology which is the clearest you can get.
If you continue to have problems with reception go back and ask them to check your phone. Prior to doing that you might want to have a friend come over who uses vodafone also and see if their reception is as bad as yours, if so than there is nothing you can do. If they get good reception in your apt and you don't, go see Vodafone.

[Synne]

Unless you are out in the boondocks you should at least be able to get a few bars rolling on your Vodafone from the window or someplace near internal wall wiring.

[nicyvesweet]

Okay, I just arrived and I want to get a cell as soon as possible. I want a Vodafone, but I'm not really sure if I need to go alone. Is it possible to get help from the Nova people when I go to orientation, or should I expect the cold shoulder since I'm not getting a phone through them? I just want something with enough minutes for a moderate talker like myself and I can use a calling card to call home occaisionally. How exactly am I to choose a plan like that? It was a little simpler in the states because I wasn't getting charged by the minute, so although I'm sure I'm beating a dead horse, does anyone know what exactly I should be asking for. Are there really catalogs available in English? Do the catalogs explain the plans as well? Will I need a credit card? I really don't want to use my credit card, how do I get around that?

[Synne]

All Vodafone�s come with an English option.

Most Vodafone shops will have English catalogs on hand for explanations on what the various phones can do, what special features they have so on and so on.

There is also a Japanese catalog which always seems to have been updated more recently then the English one. (Go figure )

The chances of a Vodafone girl being able to speak English are hard to say, regardless though, if they can�t get something across to you, they can, and will, call an English speaker who can translate everything for you.

You will need either a credit card or an ARC (Alien Registration Card) to acquire a cell phone.

Everyone seems to have a different story on the matter but Ill tell you what I went through.

If you have a credit card, then you can most likely get a phone without any problems, and you do not need an ARC. They will most likely not even check your age, however, this will depend on the ppl working and on which store you go to.

If you have no credit card then you will need an ARC. If you are under the age of 20 then depending on the store they may only allow you to acquire a phone if a parent of yours resides in Japan and that parent is willing to fill out an approval form for you to get a phone. If you do not have a parent residing in Japan then they will either refuse you, or they might offer you an overseas parent approval form.

This last option will depend entirely on the store you attend so do not be afraid to hit several stores.

It took me four.

The form cannot be faxed, and must be filled out and sent back with your parent�s approval, your parent�s information and a copy of your parent�s identity.

All must be submitted and then you must cross your fingers.

I went through about a month of struggle to acquire my phone becuz I had no credit card.

It would seem the easiest way is the credit card way if you are under the age of 20.

Hope this helps.