Job Discussion Forums

[chirp]

I was told that Japanese mobile phones can't send text messages to phones based in other countries because they use a different network (or some other resaon).

Has anyone every tried this? Is anyone aware of a keitai plan or company that allows text messages to mobile phones in other countries?

[furiousmilksheikali]

[chirp]

[Like a Rolling Stone]

[callmesim]

Text messages work fine. I was told the same thing before I came but am able to send messages back to people in Australia no porblem.

The only glitch is this - there's a 160 character limit. Unlike SMS where if you go over the limit it just joins them up etc., it'll get rejected and come back to you. Same with MMS. But like previously mentioned, emails are fine!

[Hoser]

I didnt realize there was a difference between text message and email. I thought the two terms were interchangeable.

[Like a Rolling Stone]

Well Mr Hoser sir, I suppose a text message is a form of electronic mail. But i think there is a different way they are sent or something. text messages are smaller usually and old fashioned ... erm... where's jim dunlop2 When you need him?

[JimDunlop2]

Someone paged me... (jst kidding).

Here's the scoop on e-mail, text messaging, etc... Hoser is right -- but only to a point. So is Chirp. Ever since they've started making cell phones capable of sending written messages and accessing the Internet, the definition of certain terms has become a little hazy and most of the confustion comes from ill-defined terms which seem interchangeable.

Chirp said that he was told that Japanese mobile phones can't send text messages to phones based in other countries because they use a different network. This is essentially correct. What he is referring to is "text messaging" or what many call "SMS messaging" for short.

SMS stands for: Short Message Service and is something available on the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network. That's not what we have in Japan -- but much of the rest of the world, especially Europe uses this system.

In Japan we also have a form of SMS, but in order to use it, both subscribers must be on the same network. I keep hearing conflicting reports whether Vodafone and AU are able to share text messages -- personally, I don't think I've ever been sucessful doing it. In Japan, sometimes they call this "Sky mail" or "C-mail." There is no e-mail address -- you send a message to the phone number of your party to whom you wish to send a text message. The purpose of this form of messaging is that it tends to be a LOT cheaper than sending/receiving conventional e-mail on a cell phone platform.

The second system IS regular e-mail. In Japan, they sometimes call this "long mail." Essentially your cell phone accesses the Internet and uses standard TCP/IP, SMTP and POP mail protocols. You have an e-mail address with an @ sign and you can share e-mails with any other e-mail addressm anywhere in the world, whether the target device is a phone, Blackberry, computer, etc... However, sometimes not all mail goes through for various reasons. For example, if you have a friend who likes to send you forwarded sh*t -- like the latest installment of a picture of a dude getting run over by a train with a caption that reads: "Smile, that could be you" and asks you to forward it to all your friends so you have good luck, there's an excellent chance you either won't receive that mail at all, or if you do, it will be truncated with all the attachments and pictures removed. There are still many limits on what you can actually receive and view on your phone.

Hope that helps clear things up. Normally, nowadays when you hear people say "send me a text" they are usually referring to SMS. But that is rapidly changing to mean e-mail as well... Perhaps when Vodafone's domination of the globe is complete you will be able to send short mail to other Vodafones in other countries to/from Japan, but as far as I know -- not yet. I prefer e-mail myself, but do sometimes use short mail... Not very often, mind you, because I can only use it with a VERY limited number of people -- those who have the same provider as I do.

In summary:

SMS=short mail=C-mail=Sky-mail=text messaging.
- short messages only (usually up to 160 characters)
- must be on the same network
- must be within reception range of the target phone
- much cheaper than regular e-mail
- utilizes PHONE NUMBERS to send/receive instead of e-mail addresses

long mail=e-mail=regular mail=text messaging.
- virtually unlimited message length (but may be truncated by the provider)
- can be on different networks
- device independent. i.e. PC to phone or vice-versa is OK
- can be used internationally
- price depends heavily on your phone plan with your phone company
- utilizes e-mail addresses to send/receive. e.g. [email protected]

[callmesim]

Interesting post Jim, I didn't know all that.

But, as I said before, I've been able to send SMS messages to people in Australia. I enter in their phone number (+61419******) and they get it (with the number showing up as my phone number). Same works in reverse.

Strange!

[Dipso]

I am on Vodafone and I can send SMS messages to the UK, no problem. Shame they cost 100 yen a pop though...

When I signed up for my keitai account I specifically requested that I wanted a phone that could send SMS overseas. I had a choice of quite a few models, as I recall.

[JimDunlop2]

Well, I stand corrected then. My info is obviously a little dated. Looks like (from what the past couple posters have said) that they've already got SMS systems that can go overseas to/from Japan...

Good to know.

[callmesim]

Interesting point Dipso! Because I don't have to spend any extra to send SMS to Australia however my attempts to send an SMS to a friend in the UK have continued to fail.

Strange strange strange.

[chirp]

Thanks for the replies but I am not sure that I have it all clear yet! Everyone seems to have different experiences.

I am talking about SMS and was looking to send it to Australia and Canada primarily. I suppose I could try to explain it at the store. Any ideas on whether the phone required to SMS is more expensive than your average keitai?

Again - thanks for the suggestions!

[Dipso]

I have a 3G phone. I don't know if that makes any difference as to whether you can send SMS or not. Perhaps the SMS option is something that has to be activated by the phone company? It could be that it remains "turned off" unless you actually request the service from your provider. I have had no problem sending texts all over the world with my keitai. Well, apart from the ridiculous cost, that is!

[Hoser]

Does a short email sent from my phone to my roommates phone cost the same amount as say a short email sent from my phone to my sister's @gmail address in Canada?