Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
3G iPhone in Japan?
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
A little late to the party, but congrats anyway!I just got my 16GB white iPhone tonight! I'm stoked!
I just wanted to see if anyone else is using the 3.0b2 software here in Japan ... ? I've got it running on my iPhone (I'm a registered dev) but have had no luck getting MMS to work. I called SoftBank and was told by their iPhone support people that they had no idea if/when SoftBank would support MMS on the iPhone - emphasis on the "if." Has anyone else had any luck?
Now having issues logging at McDonalds. My phone shows as connected to 'mobilepoint' in settings, but the wifi icon doesn't appear on the top of my screen (still shows 3G). Tried forgetting the location and setting up again, but no luck. Happens at three McDonalds so far.
Anyone else having trouble? Wonder if SoftBank changed their mind on this feature...
A little late to the party, but congrats anyway!
I just wanted to see if anyone else is using the 3.0b2 software here in Japan ... ? I've got it running on my iPhone (I'm a registered dev) but have had no luck getting MMS to work. I called SoftBank and was told by their iPhone support people that they had no idea if/when SoftBank would support MMS on the iPhone - emphasis on the "if." Has anyone else had any luck?
all other phones support MMS it works like this
email gateway @softbank.ne.jp -> MMS
since there was no MMS on iPhone they came up with standard email servers for iPhone, thus new email addresses @i.softbank.jp
I bought Easy Wi-Fi from the App Store.. It claims to automate the wi-fi sign-in procedure for SoftBank Mobilepoint along with other carriers. I will stop by a McDonald's tonight and try it out.
On a somewhat related note, anyone figure out how to access the McDonald's keitai coupons? I bookmarked the PC coupon site but it's very slow and lacks most coupons from the keitai site.
Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3G (white): Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/7A259g Safari/525.20)
Meaning they can transition iPhone users back to a standard .ne.jp email address this summer? That ought to be interesting.
evilboy said:A little late to the party, but congrats anyway!
I just wanted to see if anyone else is using the 3.0b2 software here in Japan ... ? I've got it running on my iPhone (I'm a registered dev) but have had no luck getting MMS to work. I called SoftBank and was told by their iPhone support people that they had no idea if/when SoftBank would support MMS on the iPhone - emphasis on the "if." Has anyone else had any luck?
all other phones support MMS it works like this
email gateway @softbank.ne.jp -> MMS
since there was no MMS on iPhone they came up with standard email servers for iPhone, thus new email addresses @i.softbank.jp
Meaning they can transition iPhone users back to a standard .ne.jp email address this summer? That ought to be interesting.
I'm in the Tennoji ekimae McDonald's, was able to log into the BB Mobile Point with no issues. The Easy Wi-Fi software actually did not work for me, rather I was able to log in using Safari. Turned off the cellular antenna to verify I am online via Wi-Fi.
That being said, reception sucks. Only 2 bars, though seems speedy enough.
That would be sweet if I could get my old @softbank.ne.jp address back; there are still some people I haven't been able to contact because they must have domain filtering on, and I can't send them any messages to tell them to allow @me.com!
Isn't MMS an outdated technology anyways? Why would you want to use it when we have real email? I actually didn't even know MMS was supported in Japan... is it really??
Yes, there are still issues with docomo phones not accepting the '@i.softbank.up' address, but could be easily fixed if docomo was willing to do so. AU did it and they even added emoji support.
Hey Guys, I wanted to know something similar.
I have an unlocked (yell0wsn0w) iphone 3g. And I'm comming to Japan to be an english teacher with the JET program come the last week in July.
Anyway, what are the general thoughts about which plan I should get. I hear Softbank is cheaper than DoCoMo, but I went on Softbank's website, and I utterly confused myself.
All I want is a good price on an iPhone "like" plan. You know, unlimited data or close to it. What do you guys think?
Any literature on this? Websites (other than the english version of Softbanks webpage). You can't make me go back there, PLLLLLEASE don't make me go back
I have an unlocked (yell0wsn0w) iphone 3g. And I'm comming to Japan to be an english teacher with the JET program come the last week in July.
Anyway, what are the general thoughts about which plan I should get. I hear Softbank is cheaper than DoCoMo, but I went on Softbank's website, and I utterly confused myself.
All I want is a good price on an iPhone "like" plan. You know, unlimited data or close to it. What do you guys think?
Any literature on this? Websites (other than the english version of Softbanks webpage). You can't make me go back there, PLLLLLEASE don't make me go back
Depands on which iphoen you got.
If you have the factory unlocked iphone, i purchased mine from online retailer selectgsm.com then you can use it with any sim-card in Japan in fact am using it here with no problem.
http://www.selectgsm.com/apple-iphone-3g-unlocked-phone-mobile-phone-pr-16781.html
If you have the factory unlocked iphone, i purchased mine from online retailer selectgsm.com then you can use it with any sim-card in Japan in fact am using it here with no problem.
http://www.selectgsm.com/apple-iphone-3g-unlocked-phone-mobile-phone-pr-16781.html
bringng an unlocked iPhone to Japan...
Hi Sealab. I hope someone with more experience gives you feedback. You're probably better off going with Softbank, just because they support the phone. My only concern for you is if Softbank is willing to LET you bring your own phone. Japan is notoriously anal about rules and procedures. And most staff at Softbank stores don't have a clue. You actually may get different answers at different stores.
As far as plans go, you'll be able to choose a voice plan that suits your needs, but you'll have to choose the special unlimited data plan for the iPhone. It's fairly reasonable.
Hopefully, you're moving to a big city. You'll have better luck, I think. If not, you may want to get everything done when you first arrive in Tokyo or Kansai.
Anyone else have experience with bringing your own phone?
Hi Sealab. I hope someone with more experience gives you feedback. You're probably better off going with Softbank, just because they support the phone. My only concern for you is if Softbank is willing to LET you bring your own phone. Japan is notoriously anal about rules and procedures. And most staff at Softbank stores don't have a clue. You actually may get different answers at different stores.
As far as plans go, you'll be able to choose a voice plan that suits your needs, but you'll have to choose the special unlimited data plan for the iPhone. It's fairly reasonable.
Hopefully, you're moving to a big city. You'll have better luck, I think. If not, you may want to get everything done when you first arrive in Tokyo or Kansai.
Anyone else have experience with bringing your own phone?
The staff at the local Softbank here in Kagawa told me that they would have no problems whatsoever setting me up with an iPhone I had purchased elsewhere. It may be, as you said, a case of who you speak to at which store though.
Well, which carrier do you currently use? Do you have a 3G data plan? If you do, how much do you pay for it?
Don't count on being able to bring your own iPhone in; to my knowledge Softbank (which sucks, cheapest plans but by far the worst coverage) won't let you touch an iphone plan or iphone SIM unless you purchase the phone itself.
In addition, you don't get to choose the plan either, but the one they give you is probably the one you would want anyway (double white plan, unlimited data). After one or two months, you can switch the double white plan to a standard white plan if you want.
I love my white iPhone but man how I miss the top-level service of Docomo, even if it was more expensive--I was at least paying for what I got.
In addition, you don't get to choose the plan either, but the one they give you is probably the one you would want anyway (double white plan, unlimited data). After one or two months, you can switch the double white plan to a standard white plan if you want.
I love my white iPhone but man how I miss the top-level service of Docomo, even if it was more expensive--I was at least paying for what I got.
Also if you are on the JET programme, and likely in a rural area, make damn sure Softbank even has service where you are. I'm in utter butt**** Hyogo-ken on the north coast with the Sea of Japan literally outside my apartment window. I have good coverage here in town and at my base school, but at my visit school 30 km away, I don't have any service whatsoever, and service while driving down south to Osaka/Kobe/Himeji every weekend is spotty, but good once I get into town. My service is good everywhere except my visit school and while driving, but everywhere else is good.
Just make sure you check the map once you get your placement.
Just make sure you check the map once you get your placement.
Softbank's iPhone for everybody campaign extended until Sept. 2009
Softbank's iPhone for everybody campaign (02/27/2009 - 05/31/2009) is being extended until the end of September (09/30/2009).
- English info page (shows extended date) iPhone for everybody
- Japanese Softbank press release (05/26/2009)
Does this mean that the release of the next iPhone could come after September 31?
Doubtful, but it is a possibility - we may know soon enough.
Softbank's iPhone for everybody campaign (02/27/2009 - 05/31/2009) is being extended until the end of September (09/30/2009).
- English info page (shows extended date) iPhone for everybody
- Japanese Softbank press release (05/26/2009)
Does this mean that the release of the next iPhone could come after September 31?
Doubtful, but it is a possibility - we may know soon enough.
It is clearly written that this plan concern the 8Gb&16Gb 3G model, si I think that they may have more stock to sell than they thought...
I think they just keep it so that people keep buying those, and they'll move to something more agressive just before the new 3G, to eventually sell those a half price or something like that.
I think they just keep it so that people keep buying those, and they'll move to something more agressive just before the new 3G, to eventually sell those a half price or something like that.
Two things...
1. Anyone concerned with the data packet testing Softbank is now conducting?Seems they're bottlenecking high-end users. This will definately effect iPhone users, as we're more likely to be streaming video/audio stuff. The softbank page with info on this was in Japanese and I don't have a direct link, but if you need it, pls let me know.
2. My phone was dropping calls left and right, so I took it into softbank and they exchanged it with a "new" one at no charge! I was stoked untill I restored from from my back up... I went into usage and noticed it the life call time at about 24 hours. Anyone know if this is carried over from the back up? Or is this actually a refurbished model? It looks new; no scratches or marks.
1. Anyone concerned with the data packet testing Softbank is now conducting?Seems they're bottlenecking high-end users. This will definately effect iPhone users, as we're more likely to be streaming video/audio stuff. The softbank page with info on this was in Japanese and I don't have a direct link, but if you need it, pls let me know.
2. My phone was dropping calls left and right, so I took it into softbank and they exchanged it with a "new" one at no charge! I was stoked untill I restored from from my back up... I went into usage and noticed it the life call time at about 24 hours. Anyone know if this is carried over from the back up? Or is this actually a refurbished model? It looks new; no scratches or marks.