Job Discussion Forums

[Toronto_Gurrl]

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to get some insight to which would be cheaper, a land line or a cell phone. I believe in Japan, you have to pay for the time used on both regardless.. The uses I have for it are...

1. international calls to Canada
2. internet
3. Want to travel in different prefectures but I will always be staying with friends (who will have a land line) so it's ok if I don't have a cell phone but of course, it will be a lil better if I did for the times I am not at their place

So basically, I want to find the cheapest way to satisfy the 3 needs I have for the line. Someone is willing to sell me the land line for 45,000 yen. Don't know what the costs are on top of that. I will be in Japan for a year only so if I get a phone plan, I will only be able to sign for a year. What do I need to have for internet (a phone line or an "active" phone line where I pay for service) Can I get it through cable? (and how much would cable cost?) Whats the cheapest way to make international calls? Should I just get a phone card Can this be used on a land line and cell phone without incurring more charges than stated on the calling card? (In Canada, the phone card I used charged me more when I used it on my cell phone) Last thing, I am placed in Kanazawa, will the reception there be any good?

If I can get some suggestions as to what my options are that would be great. Thanks.

[lajzar]

For international calls, Id recommend Brastel for calling cards. However, I know Yahoo BB has a deal that has stupidly cheap international calls to the USA. That was no use to me, but I think they included Canada too in that plan.

For Internet, you need a land line, no ifs, ands, or buts. However, there is a choice between buying a line and renting one. If you only plan on being here a year, renting will work out cheaper.

If you plan on meeting people and travelling, it can be very useful to have a mobile phone to coordinate meetings. Nothing worse than missing someone because you were at the wrong end of the meeting point and couldnt ask where they were.

[Mike L.]

TEPCO has a fibre optic "hikara fivre" thing on the go that includes internet and phone for about 6-7000 a month. Yu don't need a phone.

The rates were comparable if not cheaper than yahoo BB and you don't need a phone line..

the only problem is availability if you're right in Tokyo shouldn't be a problem.

They couldn't do up my pad a few months ago and I'm 20 min from Shinjuku stations..

Needless to say the internet speed and quality of connection would blow y
ahoo BBB ( a pretty crappy service) out of the water!!

This is definitely the way of the future....

[guest of Japan]

Go crazy and get both. Under no circumstances buy a phone line for 45,000 yen. Most internet providers will sell you one for 10,000 yen and give you free internet service for a few months. A cell phone is more than handy in Japan. Incidently, you can get a cable modem for internet if you are in a city.