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3G iPhone in Japan?

Softbank has sold over 2 million iPhones in Japan? (Unofficial figure)

A number of Japanese blogs (including Yahoo news) are referencing comments made recently by Nobuyuki Hayashi (also know as "Nobi", a freelance journalist/consultant based in Tokyo) that he thinks Softbank has sold over 2 million iPhones in Japan (but this is not an official figure).
It seems that Nobi did not publish it on his blog, but the Japanese blog that quoted it is here - Netafull.
 
mmulin said:
Well you can give it a try. The fact stands that a lot of people in this scenario, including myself and a couple of friends, had receive huge bills ($1000+) for June/ July. Is it possible that your friend uses a smart phone contract or even regular iPhone contract? In that case he might get away with it. According to my information, it is not done by IMEI but by phone identifier. If the identifier does not match the purchased phone category, smart/ Internet capable vs regular phone, contractual flat rates and discounts do not apply.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure it's not an iPhone contract. I'll ask if it's a smart phone contract though. I do know that he mentioned having to take an old Softbank phone in to the store in order to get the SIM card he uses now.

Anyway, he seems to be under the impression that it's simply a matter of using the correct APN settings.
 
Gmail

So my girlfriend returned to Japan on Monday night.
As i can't afford to send texts or MMS from germany (the prices to japan are crazy) all the time, i tried to use gmail push as an alternative.
As it turns out, i won't get my girlfriend's mails all the time and also the mails i send seem to use a strange kind of coding. If i write in Kanji and Kana, the text isn't shown properly on the japanese phone. Although when i have a look at my "sent" file, it just shows

���Ȥ���Ă�

Any suggestions?

Is MobileMe more reliable?

I didn't have any problems with neither the Yahoo Mail nor the Mail2Web account before.
 
Narzist said:
So my girlfriend returned to Japan on Monday night.
As i can't afford to send texts or MMS from germany (the prices to japan are crazy) all the time, i tried to use gmail push as an alternative.
As it turns out, i won't get my girlfriend's mails all the time and also the mails i send seem to use a strange kind of coding. If i write in Kanji and Kana, the text isn't shown properly on the japanese phone. Although when i have a look at my "sent" file, it just shows

���Ȥ���Ă�

Any suggestions?

Is MobileMe more reliable?

I didn't have any problems with neither the Yahoo Mail nor the Mail2Web account before.
Click to expand...
]

Do you and your girlfriend both use iPhone? Then Ping is probably the best option you have.

It's practically the same as SMS and it's free (the app is $0.99 though)
It can't send a pic yet but the upcoming version will include that feature too.
 
About the tethering, I recently upgraded to the 3GS at the Omotesando Softbank store. I had to sign a paper in English acknowledging I was aware of the possibility for high data charges using the phone abroad, and using the phone as a modem. They must get a fair deal of complaints.

So if they suspect you of tethering, I wouldn't be surprised if they hit you with a huge bill. Don't do it, it isn't worth it. I hear a lot of new ex-pats say "they can't possibly charge that much". Yeah, they will.

However, they will graciously text message you the next day if your data usage exceeds 30,000 yen. They won't cut you off when you hit that mark, though... you might be doing something important! :D
 
bbodro said:
]

Do you and your girlfriend both use iPhone? Then Ping is probably the best option you have.

It's practically the same as SMS and it's free (the app is $0.99 though)
It can't send a pic yet but the upcoming version will include that feature too.
Click to expand...

She has a 3 years old DoCoMo Handset (some slider). She's aiming for a new one and actually prefers to buy an iPhone. But she doesn't want to change the carrier to get one as she doesn't want to lose her mail adress and phone number. Also with the expected allowance for VoIP in the iPhone, it'd be stupid to change to Softbank now, as their VoIP prices are over limit, while DoCoMo won't charge anything if you have an unlimited data plan.
Now she thinks abou buying the HT-03 Android Phone, which I'd rather advise her against.


And I know Ping. Don't like it so much. :(
 
Narzist said:
But she doesn't want to change the carrier to get one as she doesn't want to lose her mail adress and phone number. Also with the expected allowance for VoIP in the iPhone, it'd be stupid to change to Softbank now, as their VoIP prices are over limit, while DoCoMo won't charge anything if you have an unlimited data plan. :(
Click to expand...

She can keep her current number with MNP. For 2,000 yen, you can take your number with you when you switch carriers. She would have to change her email address, though. Perhaps she could switch to a non-carrier related address, like gmail.

Share what you have heard about VoIP coming to SB. If it is done via wifi, it is already here with Skype, and it would fall within SB's unlimited data plan. If there are rumors about it coming over 3G, that would be interesting.
 
PJT said:
She can keep her current number with MNP. For 2,000 yen, you can take your number with you when you switch carriers. She would have to change her email address, though. Perhaps she could switch to a non-carrier related address, like gmail.
Click to expand...

To her, her mail adress is more important than her phone number. :eek:

Share what you have heard about VoIP coming to SB. If it is done via wifi, it is already here with Skype, and it would fall within SB's unlimited data plan. If there are rumors about it coming over 3G, that would be interesting.
Click to expand...

She went to both DoCoMo and Softbank stores and asked about VoIP on 3G (not particularly for the iPhone but in general). I was told the NTT rep told her it'd be free with an unlimited data plan. As for SB, it'd be awfully expensive.
That VoIP over 3G will come to the iPhone anytime soon is an open secret. T-mobile Germany, our country's exclusive iPhone provider, already announced in August that it'll be coming somewhen in mid-september, but they delayed it several times (i think due to apple).
Here's a link to a German source:

http://www.iphone-ticker.de/2009/08/27/t-mobile-voip-und-tethering-pakete-ab-mitte-september/

http://www.iphone-ticker.de/2009/08/27/t-mobile-voip-und-tethering-pakete-ab-mitte-september/

http://www.iphone-ticker.de/2009/07/21/ab-1september-t-mobile-voip-option-fur-10e-bzw-15e/

Also AT&T seems to upgrade their network to enable VoIP calls over 3G. So I guess it's just a matter of time until a Japanese carrier will do an official announcement.
 
Narzist said:
She went to both DoCoMo and Softbank stores and asked about VoIP on 3G (not particularly for the iPhone but in general). I was told the NTT rep told her it'd be free with an unlimited data plan. As for SB, it'd be awfully expensive.
Click to expand...

I'll keep my eyes and ears open. It seems that if SB allows it over 3G, it would fall into their unlimited data plan as well. I know that at least Skype works great on my iPhone over a wifi connection. Would love it if I could connect anywhere over 3G.
 
Narzist said:
She has a 3 years old DoCoMo Handset (some slider). She's aiming for a new one and actually prefers to buy an iPhone. But she doesn't want to change the carrier to get one as she doesn't want to lose her mail adress and phone number. Also with the expected allowance for VoIP in the iPhone, it'd be stupid to change to Softbank now, as their VoIP prices are over limit, while DoCoMo won't charge anything if you have an unlimited data plan.
Now she thinks abou buying the HT-03 Android Phone, which I'd rather advise her against.


And I know Ping. Don't like it so much. :(
Click to expand...

I'm personally using the HT-03A as my business phone and Softbank slider for internet. I don't see what's wrong with the HT-03A... it does push email, apps, games...

Of course this being an Apple forum obviously there are people who would prefer an iPhone over other brands but some of them aren't as bad as some would say ;)
 
TheMacBookPro said:
I'm personally using the HT-03A as my business phone and Softbank slider for internet. I don't see what's wrong with the HT-03A... it does push email, apps, games...

Of course this being an Apple forum obviously there are people who would prefer an iPhone over other brands but some of them aren't as bad as some would say ;)
Click to expand...

I read some Reviews in japanese communities.
The people there complained about the horrible japanese input and the non-existance of a docomo-mail adress.
 
Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3GS (JB3.1, unlocked): Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7C144 Safari/528.16)

PJT said:
Narzist said:
She went to both DoCoMo and Softbank stores and asked about VoIP on 3G (not particularly for the iPhone but in general). I was told the NTT rep told her it'd be free with an unlimited data plan. As for SB, it'd be awfully expensive.
Click to expand...

I'll keep my eyes and ears open. It seems that if SB allows it over 3G, it would fall into their unlimited data plan as well. I know that at least Skype works great on my iPhone over a wifi connection. Would love it if I could connect anywhere over 3G.
Click to expand...

Jailbreak and install 3G Unrestrictor. Skype over 3G, works great and is covered by the iPhone's packet data plan. Problem solved ;)
 
mavis said:
This is exactly the scenario that people have been discussing in this thread; SoftBank (according to the CSR I spoke with) is identifying foreign-purchased by IMEI and will not cap data usage fees like they will with iPhones purchased in Japan. ;)
Click to expand...


Too lazy to read backwards in the thread but as far I remember it was being discussed whether one can use an unlocked iPhone with a non-iPhone associated SBM SIM. This matter aside we both seems to have differentiating information on how SBM establish breach of contract. The people who received the June/ July surprise used a non-iPhone SIM in an unlocked iPhone. In any case, I suggest to be on the safe side and stick with your information if one cares not to risk a high bill. Besides that, I am wondering, why anyone sees the need to use a foreign iPhone with a SBM iPhone contracted SIM. You can't purchase it separately anyway and you always can sync your data to both devices - just in case you like to use your unlocked iPhone outside of Japan with another carrier's SIM - perhaps your SBM phone breaks. I can see a point there.
 
sushi said:
Have you had any issues with this? No extra charges? Breaks while talking?
Click to expand...
No, no and no. :)

I've probably logged about twenty hours on Skype since I got my 3GS, more than half of which has been over 3G. I've dropped a call or two but I don't know if that was on my end or theirs or somewhere in between. Overall it works great! One thing, though - I'd highly recommend installing Backgrounder and setting it to auto-background Skype - there's nothing worse than sitting on hold with your dumb*** webhost in California for 45 minutes only to have a Beejive notification pop up and disconnect you from your call. :rolleyes:
 
it's the keypad

Narzist said:
I read some Reviews in japanese communities.
The people there complained about the horrible japanese input and the non-existance of a docomo-mail adress.
Click to expand...

I think the biggest thing is switching keyboards. Japanese people can type so wicked fast with their phone set keypads, it is unreal. So switching to the iPhone touchscreen is kind of step backwards. Sure, there is a keypad screen that looks just like a phone set keypad, but the feedback to your finger is totally different.
 
Narzist said:
I read some Reviews in japanese communities.
The people there complained about the horrible japanese input and the non-existance of a docomo-mail adress.
Click to expand...

Docomo mail address? The iPhone is distributed by SoftBank. So, you get a SoftBank address!!!

(Edit: Just read further back. Your friend can keep her phone number. She has to apply and pay for MNP. However, the mail address has to change. This is not the iPhone's fault. It would be a typical case of changing providers)

Since the 3GS, the keyboard problem is none existant and most Japanese, I know, have no complaints anymore. However, I agree, the phone needs a better keyboard switcher. I am using 7 keyboards and have to circle through them every time.
 
mmulin said:
Docomo mail address? The iPhone is distributed by SoftBank. So, you get a SoftBank address!!!

(Edit: Just read further back. Your friend can keep her phone number. She has to apply and pay for MNP. However, the mail address has to change. This is not the iPhone's fault. It would be a typical case of changing providers)
Click to expand...

In that's the problem. The main reason for her not to get an iPhone is the loss of her current docomo mail adress. Of course is not the iPhone fault. She just doesn't want to switsch providers, what i can understand very well. All her contacts (more than 200) have her current adress and also she gets a high discount on her monthly fee as she's already been a client for almost 10 years.

Since the 3GS, the keyboard problem is none existant and most Japanese, I know, have no complaints anymore. However, I agree, the phone needs a better keyboard switcher. I am using 7 keyboards and have to circle through them every time.
Click to expand...

No, the keyboard is actually very good and also easy for her to use (she used my 1st gen iPhone the time she spent in germany). The problem should be the japanese input on a DoCoMo HT-03 that she actually wanted to buy now.
 
3G Iphone in japan

Thats great. I am an iphone user and now is even better.
An entire country with no EDGE and only 3G coverage? What a beautiful thought
I spend more time a day with iphone. This is greate news for me.
3G is a greate site and now is even better. I am really happy.
 
CNN.com via Softbank

Does anyone know if it is possible to view CNN.com using Safari via Softbank in Japan? I do not mean the CNN mobile app, just the regular homepage using Safari.
CNN.co.jp shows up just fine, but I want to read the English version also.
I have my iPhone's region set to Canada for the English UI. Whether that is the cause or CNN is detecting my IP address from Japan I don't know, but, I get an error message stating that "This service is currently not available in your region."
If anyone knows of a workaround for this type of problem, I'm all ears - thanks.
 
Re: CCN

I don't know of a work around, but I believe you are correct that CNN is detecting your IP address as foreign and blocking. This happens with many of the broadcasting sites that are targeted for the US, at least for me.
 
Make folders in Softbank e-mail account?

On a regular (non-jailbroken) Softbank iPhone 3GS, is it possible to setup folders (for filtering) with the generic i.softbank.jp account?

I have done this with Gmail etc. (IMAP) accounts, but is there no way to do it with the built-in Softbank account (without using an app like IMAP Folders for example)? If not, any app recommendations?

*** Update: I figured it out myself
- I use Becky! e-mail on the PC, and I was able to configure an IMAP account with it, add folders and filter.
This can also be done with Thunderbird apparently.
 
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