3G iPhone in Japan?

[PJT]

SMS, MMS and iSoftbank.jp

Hey Japan iPhone users,
This can probably be answered by people anywhere, but can someone explain to me the difference between SMS and MMS? From the Messages button, I can send photos to others. So why would I need to use MMS? I use the iSoftbank.jp address to give to my friends since it give me an instant notification when I receive it. Thanks for clarification anyone can bring.
Peter

 

[redgaz26]

Hey Japan iPhone users,
This can probably be answered by people anywhere, but can someone explain to me the difference between SMS and MMS? From the Messages button, I can send photos to others. So why would I need to use MMS? I use the iSoftbank.jp address to give to my friends since it give me an instant notification when I receive it. Thanks for clarification anyone can bring.
Peter

when you send photos using the messages app you are using mms!!
when you only send text using the messages app your sending an sms!!

 

[mavis]

Docomo wins my vote.

If only your phone worked correctly with them, eh?

when you send photos using the messages app you are using mms!!
when you only send text using the messages app your sending an sms!!

Unless you're sending to an email address (@docomo, @ezweb, etc) rather than a phone number. I believe those count as MMS, regardless of their length. But I could be mistaken.

 

[sealab2021]

Docomo wins my vote.

I'm sorry VIP King, but I haven't responded to your post because I don't really know the answer myself.

I was in your boat three months ago. Frustrated beyond belief and even last weekend, when I was trying to get Push Notifications to work. Its unbelievably complex and the internet (in the English speaking world) doesn't have the pure answer for you.

With that said, most people don't use Docomo with their iPhone. Its extremely expensive with the data plan. YES, I'm serious, the Docomo data plan is very expensive compared to Softbank, because so far, I haven't been able to get Biz Hodai to give me a cap. Their servers evidently see my iPhone as a computer, and charge me tethering rates.

Recently, (about a month and half ago), I signed up for a Data only aircard. I thought I was being smart because I could use the aircard sim in my iphone and pay only ~￥7,500 instead of ~￥13,000 a month for data (the sim chip from the demo aircard model in the docomo store did work perfectly in my iphone). But now, I have the same issue that you're having. When ever I use the aircard sim in my iphone, it connects to Docomo, but every apn that I've tried doesn't work. I have a username and password because I have a MoperaU account, but I still have had no luck. Maybe the answer is out there (infact, I'm sure it is), but I don't read and write Japanese, and the Docomo reps are not going to help me on this one.

So, unless I something miraculous happens, I've come to a very sad and depressing decision. I'm going to have to give up the iPhone on Docomo and use a standard Keitai. I really dislike them (after using the iphone for 2 1/2 years). I should of bought the Andriod when I signed up for Docomo service instead of a Japanese Keitai. I was blinded by the TV function, doh.

Okay, but about your issue. Just PM me, and we can talk. I am confident that you can get your iPhone working on Docomo. But you might have to give up your BB data line. More than likely, the Docomo servers are blocking your phone because it's not a BB. If you have ideas on how to spoof the networks to think otherwise, I want to know how. Cause I have an idea on how to use the iPhone on the Biz Hodai plan disguised as an HTC.

But I distinctly remember the rep at the Docomo store (we're friends now) telling me that BB's are on different data plans from the windows smartphones and HTC android phone, and that if I wanted to use my iPhone on the Biz Hodai plan, I can't buy a BB, it wouldn't work.

I hope that helps. Sorry if its still vague, but I don't have a BB data plan with Docomo. But I do feel your pain and major frustrations, as I'm trying to get my iPhone on their data only plan, and its not working.

 

[VIP KING]

I'm sorry VIP King, but I haven't responded to your post because I don't really know the answer myself.

I was in your boat three months ago. Frustrated beyond belief and even last weekend, when I was trying to get Push Notifications to work. Its unbelievably complex and the internet (in the English speaking world) doesn't have the pure answer for you.

With that said, most people don't use Docomo with their iPhone. Its extremely expensive with the data plan. YES, I'm serious, the Docomo data plan is very expensive compared to Softbank, because so far, I haven't been able to get Biz Hodai to give me a cap. Their servers evidently see my iPhone as a computer, and charge me tethering rates.

Recently, (about a month and half ago), I signed up for a Data only aircard. I thought I was being smart because I could use the aircard sim in my iphone and pay only ~￥7,500 instead of ~￥13,000 a month for data (the sim chip from the demo aircard model in the docomo store did work perfectly in my iphone). But now, I have the same issue that you're having. When ever I use the aircard sim in my iphone, it connects to Docomo, but every apn that I've tried doesn't work. I have a username and password because I have a MoperaU account, but I still have had no luck. Maybe the answer is out there (infact, I'm sure it is), but I don't read and write Japanese, and the Docomo reps are not going to help me on this one.

So, unless I something miraculous happens, I've come to a very sad and depressing decision. I'm going to have to give up the iPhone on Docomo and use a standard Keitai. I really dislike them (after using the iphone for 2 1/2 years). I should of bought the Andriod when I signed up for Docomo service instead of a Japanese Keitai. I was blinded by the TV function, doh.

Okay, but about your issue. Just PM me, and we can talk. I am confident that you can get your iPhone working on Docomo. But you might have to give up your BB data line. More than likely, the Docomo servers are blocking your phone because it's not a BB. If you have ideas on how to spoof the networks to think otherwise, I want to know how. Cause I have an idea on how to use the iPhone on the Biz Hodai plan disguised as an HTC.

But I distinctly remember the rep at the Docomo store (we're friends now) telling me that BB's are on different data plans from the windows smartphones and HTC android phone, and that if I wanted to use my iPhone on the Biz Hodai plan, I can't buy a BB, it wouldn't work.

I hope that helps. Sorry if its still vague, but I don't have a BB data plan with Docomo. But I do feel your pain and major frustrations, as I'm trying to get my iPhone on their data only plan, and its not working.

Sealab, LOL I know this sounds dumb, but I can't seem to find a way to PM you. I would love to communicate with you on how to get things going on my iPhone. I am more then willing to keep the BB plan and sign up for MoperaU, but I can't read Japanese either and have no idea how to sign up. I am curious to find out if that BB plan and MoperaU combo would work as I already pay for the Biz Hodai plan via the BB policy.
If you have an email you'd like me to communicate with you and you know how to PM me, send me your info. Thanks again for any help and your reply.
I live in Tachikawa by the way, maybe we could meet at some point?

 

[mavis]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3GS (JB3.1, unlocked): Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7D11 Safari/528.16)

@VIPKING you're probably not able to send PMs ATM because you've exceeded your quota. At least, that's the message I got when I just tried to PM you.

 

[i-Lukephone671]

Hello there VIP KING, i am totally new to this thread and with a new 3gs 32gb. And i was reading your post and thought you could probably help me trying to understand how to use my iphone whenever i go to japan (i go there monthly with an astronomical roaming charges mostly data usage)
So when u hear or figure out how to use a regular docomo SIM or whatever data plan, can u post it here or anyone for this matter. I've been getting roaming charges of around $500 every time i go to japan for about 1 week.

And i would like to use or borrow my friends docomo SIM instead. I do have a softbank prepaid phone the classis SH201 (2g phone soon to be discontinued from the 3g netwrok) but softbank won't allow any unlocked iphone to use their SIM???

Please help, ANYONE

Nobody seems to be replying to this so I hope I can get some help here.

I currently live in Tokyo. I currently have a unique situation, I have a Docomo Blackberry plan with a working unlocked Blackberry Storm (brought my own unlocked BB Bold orginally). Both phones work/worked fine to this day. However...

Here is my plan, I want to use my unlocked/jailbroke iPhone 32gb 3Gs, now I know I will lose my Blackberry Instant messenger ability, not worried about my Docomo email addy, but my personal or Gmail email should still push and internet should work. However when I put my Foma sim in, the only thing I am able to do is call or get calls.

If I select Wi-Fi at my house I have internet access with no issues. But I need regular 3G internet access so I can constantly have email pushes and internet whenever.

So with that said, am I on a different internet plan all together because of my unlimited Internet Blackberry plan (Biz-Hodai according to my bill)?? I assume the internet access plans are all the same, but I could certainly be wrong. The following APN settings do not work for me...

mopera.net
imode.net
i-mode.net
blackberry.net
mpr2.bizho.net
0120.mopera.net
0120.mopera.biz

I have tried many others too with complete fail. I do get different error messages depending on the APN I select, which leads me to believe I am close but need some sort of user name and password, or Mopera account, which one is the case? And trying to relay that to a non-English speaking Docomo rep is futile. I'm certain to get the typical teeth sucking and arms crossed in X formation. I know this because trying to get them to activate a Blackberry plan for a phone I already had was a 4 time challenge and over a month effort. They finally believed me when I proved that my Bold would work.

Also, no user name or password used on any of above APN settings.

If I need to cancel the BB plan and start with an entirely different Doco plan then so be it it, but which one is the question for those that have an iPhone on Docomo now.

I read that others have their iphone on Docomo working but NOBODY has been clear on what they did to get it running. All the info is so vague it's ridiculous. People like me need specifics such as...

1.) Foma/Foma sims won't work at all. Get standard Docomo (non-Foma, such and such color) Doco sim card and XxXx internet plan...
2.) Tell Doco rep you need a certain internet plan)
3.) Upload certain software to iPhone
4.) Change these settings to this
Etc. Etc. Etc.

The typical internet answer of, just pop in sim card and set APN to mopera.net IS NOT THE answer. There is more to it then that folks. I know this because I have put in several different Docomo sim cards from friends and co-workers and that does not work.

So,
does anyone have any insight? Do I need to hook this up to a PC and make differnt settings on the iPhone? Do I have to sign up for Mopera even though I already have unlimited internet with my Docomo Blackberry plan? Which Mopera plan do I/should I get then? Do I have to install anything Mopera wise to the iPhone? If so, then what is it and where do you get it?
Can anyone give some advice? Please help, and explain the process please. Thanks in advance.

Thanks in advance. I can be emailed if you have any ideas?

And for those that what to reply with "why don't you use Softbank", it's a simple answer, their signal sucks (many many Softbank users complain of this) I know this to be true, because I've seen their crap signals in action right next to Docomo phones. And their plans suck and are way more expensive.

Docomo wins my vote.

 

[BiginJapan]

iPhones abroad

Hello there VIP KING, i am totally new to this thread and with a new 3gs 32gb. And i was reading your post and thought you could probably help me trying to understand how to use my iphone whenever i go to japan (i go there monthly with an astronomical roaming charges mostly data usage)
So when u hear or figure out how to use a regular docomo SIM or whatever data plan, can u post it here or anyone for this matter. I've been getting roaming charges of around $500 every time i go to japan for about 1 week.
(

Also, if anyone has any experience doing the reverse (i.e. swapping out the SIM card of a Japanese iPhone abroad, especially in the U.S. -- I get killed with roaming charges whenever I go home, so I usually end up borrowing somebody's cell back there... but I totally jones for my iPhone!), could they please post about it here? Thanks!

 

[longrowe]

Also, if anyone has any experience doing the reverse (i.e. swapping out the SIM card of a Japanese iPhone abroad, especially in the U.S. -- I get killed with roaming charges whenever I go home, so I usually end up borrowing somebody's cell back there... but I totally jones for my iPhone!), could they please post about it here? Thanks!

This one is a no-brainer. I went into the T-Mobile store in Louisiana, asked for a prepaid sim. They asked if I needed a phone, I said no, sim only. I have a white 3G, 16gb that I have unlocked since the first yellowsn0w last year. I used my iphone in the US all summer 2009 using t-mobile. At that time you could register and say you had a sidekick and use the unlimited data for $1 per day, but t-mobile has closed that hole for now.

I travel from Japan back to the US every summer (wife is a teacher) so what I do is put $100 on my pre-paid account and then the minutes do not expire for 1 year. I just have to make sure I recharge the account every summer. I am hoping T-Mobile will set up another pre-paid data plan, but the voice and text work perfectly and it is easy to find wifi all over the US. I have done this for several years with other pre-paid phones and this summer was sooooo happy to be able to use all of my iphone tools instead of using another crappy pre-paid phone.

 

[sealab2021]

I thought VIP was going to contact me. But I haven't heard of anything.

@i-Lukephone671:

I know that At&t has added a Data roaming package that you can prepay for data before you come to Japan. Its much cheaper than paying for it after.

Also, you could rent a phone from Softbank (or just the Sim card). You have to rent it from Narita or other international airports here in Japan.

 

[BiginJapan]

@ longrowe: Thanks! That's good to know. I'll definitely get on that next time I go home. Too bad they did away with the dollar-a-day data plan...

 

[i-Lukephone671]

softbank!

Thanks for the advise! Let me tell you my situation, i go to japan every month and i do have an old SH201 prepaid phone from softbank that i use and refill with 3000 (ended up using about 12000 for 1-week use) that i'm there though. I also brought my iphone last time and was assessed with a $635 roaming both for voice and data (mostly data) I've asked the SOFTBANK people in Narita last time i went there a month ago, and they said they can't or don't sell SIM for iphone for prepaid plan. I then asked them if i can transfer or use my prepaid softbank phone (2G phone) and they said i have to upgrade into a 3G prepaid phone (14000 yen phone only)
I'm confused, why can't they just sell me a SIM card (prepaid) with the current phone number and email address i have?

I guess what i'm trying to say is that, whenever i go to Japan how can i use my prepaid softbank SIM into my iPhone or why can't they sell me 3G SIM for my iphone rather than using my US SIM and be charged roaming?

Please help anyone that may have the same experience

I thought VIP was going to contact me. But I haven't heard of anything.

@i-Lukephone671:

I know that At&t has added a Data roaming package that you can prepay for data before you come to Japan. Its much cheaper than paying for it after.

Also, you could rent a phone from Softbank (or just the Sim card). You have to rent it from Narita or other international airports here in Japan.

 

[sealab2021]

I guess what i'm trying to say is that, whenever i go to Japan how can i use my prepaid softbank SIM into my iPhone or why can't they sell me 3G SIM for my iphone rather than using my US SIM and be charged roaming?

Please help anyone that may have the same experience

The information is vague, but here is the website talking about renting a phone through Softbank. http://www.softbank-rental.jp/campaign/jpng/

Anyway, if you rent the SIM only, then, what do they expect you to do, other than put it in your 3G "equipped" phone? Just don't mention the iphone. If you do, and they tell you that they can't, or they won't, they know that most people with iPhones can't. From their point of view, they've seen many foreigners come off the plane and then yell at them in frustration when their 3G locked iPhone won't accept their SIM. Not understanding that its Apple's fault, not Softbank. So, rather than be subjected to the embarrassment, they might just say, "I'm sorry, but you can't"

My guess is that you were lucky enough to get a phone back before the laws changed that barred overseas foreigners from buying pre-paid phones? So, perhaps they're willing to upgrade you to a 3G chip, if you buy a new phone from them, but otherwise, they won't sell you a 3G SIM?
Just know that Softbank and Docomo are very strict about selling SIM chips without handsets to EVERYONE, so, you aren't alone.

If and when you do get or rent a Softbank SIM, please note, that you will still have to pay very high data charges. Just hopefully, it'll only cost 1/4 of that from at&t. Also, make sure to have the APN for Softbank (non iphone account, if renting their sim). They're probably tell you the SIM is for calling only, because they don't know or aren't skilled at changing the settings for data in your handset. But the rental contract does have stipulations for data charges. And, if you rent a cell phone from them, the data works fine. So, data will work, just they might tell you that you can't because they don't know how to change the settings.

 

[i-Lukephone671]

APN for DOCOMO with a FOMA SIM or i-MODE SIM?

SO DID ANYONE EVER FIGURE OUT THE "APN NUMBER OR ID" FOR DOCOMO FOMA SIM OR I-MODE SIM FOR iPHONE USERS?
I AM IN JAPAN NOW AND WOULD LIKE USE MY iPHONE WITH MY FRIENDS FOMA AND/OR I-MODE SIM with a I-MODE FAMILY PLAN?

PLEASE YOUR ASSISTANCE WOULD SAVE ME A LOT OF MONEY.

Hello there VIP KING, i am totally new to this thread and with a new 3gs 32gb. And i was reading your post and thought you could probably help me trying to understand how to use my iphone whenever i go to japan (i go there monthly with an astronomical roaming charges mostly data usage)
So when u hear or figure out how to use a regular docomo SIM or whatever data plan, can u post it here or anyone for this matter. I've been getting roaming charges of around $500 every time i go to japan for about 1 week.

And i would like to use or borrow my friends docomo SIM instead. I do have a softbank prepaid phone the classis SH201 (2g phone soon to be discontinued from the 3g netwrok) but softbank won't allow any unlocked iphone to use their SIM???

Please help, ANYONE

 

[longrowe]

Typical softbank story

I am digging my school out from under the 24 inches of snow we received on Wednesday. Sometime during this two hour stretch, my (white) iphone decide to jump out of my pocket and disappear. After another two hours of fruitless searching, she is a goner. So I go into the local Softbank store and ask if i can purchase a new iphone as I have lost mine. My old one was a 16gb 3g. The lady says yes, but I cannot have my old number. I must get a new sim card that will have a new number. I then ask if she can port my old number onto the new sim card. "No" was the reply. So now I start playing "what if". I ask if my sim card was simply damaged, could I get a new one with my old number on it? She says "Yes". But if I want to buy an iPhone, I cannot have my old number? She says no. So... I ask for a new sim card, it takes her all of 3 minutes to code it and I walk out.

I then drive across town to another softbank store. I tell them that I dropped my phone and it is detroyed. I have the sim card, can I get a new phone. They say yes, but we will have to charge you for an upgrade to the 3gs. OK, what will that cost me for a 16gb? An additional Y1000 per month for the 2yr contract (my original phone was paid off), plus I am now signed up for the new flat rate internet for a savings of Y1500 per month. I think I am going to end up saving Y500 per month in the end!

Never stop at the first "No". Drive around until you can find someone who will give you what you want. The people who work in the cell shops are soooo clueless.

 

[drbudimankh]

Need help for softbank APN hacking

Dear all forums,

I need some help. Now I am using softbank 3G 16GB iphone, jailbroken, unlocked.
I don't need to use the data except the softbank s!mail.
1. Is it possible to hack the APN so I can receive the s!mail without using the data? I mean by hacking the APN setting, I can not use the internet data but still can receive the s!mail.
2. Is it possible to use the common 3G (grey simcards) with certain APN setting for receiving s!mail without touching the data?
3. If, all of those are possible, could someone share the APN setting for s!mail only?

Thank you very much and hope will hear good news from you.....

 

[sealab2021]

I have great news!

Softbank now has coverage where I live! So now, no more Docomo for me.

Before I make the switch to Softbank, I had a few questions to Softbank iphone users.

Is the S!mail Softbanks proprietary mail system? Does Softbank have their mail system set up to go through the iPhones MMS program?

I know that before the 3.0 software, Softbank Iphone users had to use a non-standard email address, which I heard caused some problems with other 3rd parties.

If I get a new 3GS iphone, does it all seem seamless on my end and to all my friends?

Also, I haven't seen the final conclusion to using an unlocked non-softbank iPhone, whether the data plan will actually cap or not? With the iPhone for everyone campaign, it seems to me to just buy a new one. Is there a catch that I'm not seeing?

Thanks guys. I'm looking forward to being able to use my iPhone and pay reasonable prices!

 

[mmulin]

I have great news!
Is the S!mail Softbanks proprietary mail system? Does Softbank have their mail system set up to go through the iPhones MMS program?

S!Mail is just another name for MMS. MMS will be handled by the SMS/MMS messaging application on the iPhone. However, you have two options with SBM. Set up the @i.softbank.ne.jp service which will allow higher messages size limits for sending but your messages will end up in your Email application, however notification comes via the SMS. Or use @softbank.ne.jp which works like the regular S!Mail system but there are some size limits, I think 300kb or 600kb.

Anyway, you can find everything explained in English here: http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/iphone_en/ , check under Mail Services.

I know that before the 3.0 software, Softbank Iphone users had to use a non-standard email address, which I heard caused some problems with other 3rd parties.

As explained above.

If I get a new 3GS iphone, does it all seem seamless on my end and to all my friends?

Yes, but note that if someone sends you a message with pictures or video attached and it is above mentioned size limit you won't receive the attachment on your S!Mail. Ask them to resend it to the SBM provided or you own Email address.

Also, I haven't seen the final conclusion to using an unlocked non-softbank iPhone, whether the data plan will actually cap or not? With the iPhone for everyone campaign, it seems to me to just buy a new one. Is there a catch that I'm not seeing?

If you are just using the data plan from another SBM phone or iPhone with your unlocked foreign iPhone you will be charged on all your data (MMS, Internet, etc). They started checking phone's IMEIs against contracts through their billing system back in July presenting a nasty surprise to many.
However, it is possible to talk with SBM and ask them to change your regular contract to an iPhone contract and register the IMEI of your unlocked iPhone. Your mileage may vary though. My friend was successful pulling this feat at the Omotesando store in Tokyo. Make sure you can communicate exactly what you want to do by asking for English speaking staff or having someone knowledgeable with you who speaks good Japanese.

 

[AndyJapan]

[...] With the iPhone for everyone campaign, it seems to me to just buy a new one. Is there a catch that I'm not seeing?

Well, the Softbank iPhone is provider-locked and will not be unlocked by Softbank - at least according to the current regulations. However, this could change as VIP KING reported in a different thread.
Please also keep in mind that you pay the phone over two years (16GB: 46KYen; 32GB: 57KYen) and would have to pay a penalty if you terminated the contract earlier.
Paying nearly 60,000Yen for a provider-locked phone was one reason for me not to buy an iPhone from Softbank.
You'd better figure out a way to make your unlocked iPhone work on the Softbank network before you switch from Docomo to Softbank. Did you try out Docomo's 128Kbps APN (mpr.ex-pkt.net) with your iPhone? I would at least give it a try as you would have the cap at 5,985Yen with this APN. Yes, the speed is pretty slow...

 

[Narzist]

So my girlfriend bought an iPhone3GS on Softbank last sunday. I can send emails via MobileMe without any problems to her i.softbank.jp account. But actually she prefers to use her softbank.ne.jp account for ALL mails. Now the problem is, that she can neither send nor receive mails sent from my MobileMe account on this address. Same goes for the mails via my MMS account in Germany. She didn't set up any PC-mail-block.

Any help? Any tutorials? Peferred in Japanese.

 

[mavis]

So my girlfriend bought an iPhone3GS on Softbank last sunday. I can send emails via MobileMe without any problems to her i.softbank.jp account. But actually she prefers to use her softbank.ne.jp account for ALL mails. Now the problem is, that she can neither send nor receive mails sent from my MobileMe account on this address. Same goes for the mails via my MMS account in Germany. She didn't set up any PC-mail-block.

Any help? Any tutorials? Peferred in Japanese.

By default, anti-spam settings are enabled for the @softbank.ne.jp address. It may be set to only allow incoming mail from other handsets in Japan. She'll need to change her settings by going to softbank.jp on her iPhone and clicking the green MMS icon. Once she signs in, the third section on the right side of the page is "Spam mail block settings" ... From there, it gets unnecessarily convoluted and difficult, but she should be able to choose a generic preset that works for her (easy) or she may have to tweak the settings manually (major PITA) ...

 

[Narzist]

By default, anti-spam settings are enabled for the @softbank.ne.jp address. It may be set to only allow incoming mail from other handsets in Japan. She'll need to change her settings by going to softbank.jp on her iPhone and clicking the green MMS icon. Once she signs in, the third section on the right side of the page is "Spam mail block settings" ... From there, it gets unnecessarily convoluted and difficult, but she should be able to choose a generic preset that works for her (easy) or she may have to tweak the settings manually (major PITA) ...

Thanx. I hope she will be able to get it work tomorrow.

 

[thewhitehart]

AOL Radio Not Working

Did Softbank block streaming radio over 3G? When I use AOL radio I get a "forbidden" message when trying to connect. Preemptive "Bastards!"

 

[ajmiyazaki]

Did Softbank block streaming radio over 3G? When I use AOL radio I get a "forbidden" message when trying to connect. Preemptive "Bastards!"

Actually, I think AOL has started blocking access to those outside the US. I was having trouble with the desktop app on my mac, so I tried directly from the aol website and it stated, 'we are unable to stream to your location' or something like that...

I tried again using my proxy service and it streamed with no problems... It's unfortunate more and more services are blocking to those outside the US. Doesn't www stand for world wide web?? Haha. I hope media companies update their models soon...

 

[ReyesJonathan]

makes sense to me