Job Discussion Forums

[Rorschach]

Just a quick question. I did a search and wasn't able to come up with much helpful info. I recently got a 3G handset (Toshiba 803T). There is no problems with the handset itself but the reception is quite poor indoors. I was assured by the Vodafone staff that it would get better soon (maybe because of the Softbank deal) but I would rather just revert back to my old handset (Toshiba 601T - best phone I have ever had, clear reception, dictionaries, small and a long battery life). I got a 3G phone because I wanted to use it when I went back home to Australia for a holiday but looking at the calling costs in addition to the reception issues I am thinking now it would've been better to get a prepaid phone back home. Anyway, my question being: can you go into a Vodafone shop and request to have your number moved back to your old handset during your contract? I can't see a major problem because I own both phones. I'm thinking also if it were possible to sell the 3G handset to another party and sign them on. Any help would be appreaciated.

[ironopolis]

I too got a 3G phone and had lots of problems. Main one was the appallingly poor reception in Japan, although it was actually quite good in some of the other countries I used it in. Mine worked ok in Australia. Like you, the phone itself was fine, just the vodafone 3G network wasn't very good. I had lots of trouble sending SMS also. Both I and everyone I know got the same answer from every vodafone shop - the service area will improve, bear with us. They were saying that for the entire 2 years I had a 3G phone and I never noticed any improvement.

To answer your question, I would suspect probably not. When I went to vodafone shops looking to do a kishu henko (upgrade the phone on the same number) they would only allow it on the newer models they were selling in the shop, with the charges for keeping your number ridiculously high. When I asked about older models where the price had now come down, they said these were no longer available. One person I knew with a 3G phone was leaving Japan and offered to pass on his handset - again vodafone shop said they could only do it with handsets they were providing new at the time.
Not exactly the same as your situation, I know. As a general rule, I found vodafone shops incredibly unhelpful and staffed by idiots - a view supported by an ex vodafone employee I met recently.

[Rorschach]

It seems to be case by case from the people I have asked. I kept my current number when changing to 3G and I didn't have to pay any money (I just had to buy the handset) but I imagine going back might raise some eyebrows. So far I haven't had any problems sending messages, if anything it seems a lot faster. Internet browsing appears to be better as well. However, whenever I get a call from home the reception seems to be quite poor if I am inside, lots of static. It looks like I might be stuck with this phone for this contract then. I'll go to the shop this weekend and ask the staff and see what he says, he seeemed quite helpful when he did my contract. Thanks ironopolis for the info.

[ironopolis]

Another thought occurred to me - if you get no joy out of the vodafone shop, bear in mind you can get a phone from a.u. which works in Australia.
Changing to a.u. is what I did - their charges for using it overseas are not much cheaper than vodafone, BUT the reception in Japan is infinitely better and I find their bills work out cheaper for me for use in Japan.

Not much choice of phone - only one model in fact! But it's a pretty good one, smaller than some of the vodafone 3G bricks, has dictionary, GPS, FM radio and a few other toys I'll never use.

[Willy_In_Japan]

I want to have a phone that I can use in Canada, the USA, and perhaps Thailand. I understand that GMS phones are pretty popular in many countries. Ideally, I would like to have a phone that I can use in Japan as well. However, if it is simply for travel, that would be ok.

Does anyone know where one can buy a GMS phone in Japan? What are the options for travelling with Japanese phones?

[shadowsinner]

hey guys - a bit off tangent, maybe, but what is the best mobile company in japan cost-wise?

what is the best plan, and what do you guys pay a month in mobile charges? i'm guessing that mobile calls are timed, of course, but are they as expensive as in australia? i would probably only be looking at getting a mobile for calling and texting purposes - these 3G/internet technologies are just too hi-tech for me.

[Rorschach]

ironopolis - I might try that out, thanks.

shadowsinner - I would avoid the 3G phones if you aren't looking to take it overseas or doing a lot of internet browsing. NTT is perhaps the most expensive in terms of plans. AU and Vodafone are almost equal when it comes to 2G (Japan only) phone quality but AU has the better 3G service. I had no problems with my old phone - I used it mainly for mail and the occasional call and it cost me on average about 4500yen a month.

[shadowsinner]

4500yen/mth is quite a bit for just the occasional call - did this price include the payment for the phone, or did the phone come free?

as i understand it, telecommunication in japan is quite expensive - landline for example. local calls are timed?? what? in a country like japan, one would at least expect that local calls are untimed... it is untimed in aust.

[Rorschach]

My first 2 phones were 0 yen but I had to sign on for a year. If I remember correctly I got about 100 minutes call time each month but I never used it. If you really wanted to go cheap you could get a prepaid phone or a Tuka phone. Tuka in particular is generally about half the price of the larger carriers but the handsets have no bells or whistles.