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iPhone 4 Japan (Softbank)

iammike1 said:
Yeah, if my 3GS was busted right now I'd really be in trouble. Can't get an iPhone 4 for nothing, can't even get an HTC Desire...all I could do is get another iPhone 3GS and that would reeeeally suck right now.
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If worst comes to the worst, you can always pick up a PAYG phone for under 5000 Yen from Don Quixote and put your SIM in that. That's my very cheap emergency plan (assuming I can't get an old one noo ne wants from somewhere). Somehow it'd feel really degrading/backward putting your SIM into a phone that first came out 5 years ago, though. :p
 
e²Studios said:
Sorry I know this has nothing to do with a pre-order but I am in Tokyo right now and my iPhone 4 will not pick up any signal, it just says "out of area" with no bars. I called AT&T whom said I should be able to use it international ( the did "tests" and then passed the buck to the network here in Japan), but for some reason I cannot make/recieve call, send text, recieve text or do any network/phone activities.

Is there something I have to do in order to have my phone recognized? I am assuming I would roam on Softbank.

Thanks for any help, sorry this is a bit off track :eek: :)
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Sill question, but did you set the Global Roaming option to on? Assuming it's got that option.
 
DragonJade said:
Sill question, but did you set the Global Roaming option to on? Assuming it's got that option.
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When I look under Setting/General/Network I see 3G is on and Cellular Data is on. Data Roaming is off, which I want since I just need SMS and Voice which would fall under Cellular Data, I can check email etc using a WiFi spot which is what I have been doing for now.

It's just really odd, I called AT&T international support again. They ran more tests, had me reset the phone numerous times, turn off and on 3G/Cellular Data and its like the phone refuses to register itself on Softbank's network.

Is 611 the number you dial from your handset for customer service on cellular networks here? AT&T claims maybe I have to dial the customer service number first since "out of area" doesn't mean I have no signal at all.

Maybe I'll take a trip to a Softbank store. Hopefully stores here aren't as clueless as the people in AT&T stores in the US.
 
jayo123456 said:
for you guys in Japan that has the i4, are you guys experiencing (or your friends) reception issues?
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I'm personally not having any issues. When I first got it, I did the "death grip" while walking around the store (Yamada Denki/second floor) and it still held full bars. My screen is pristine also(no yellow), so i have zero complaints.

The only thing I could wish for is for Softbank on Oki to put up more towers for certain areas on island:D
 
e²Studios said:
When I look under Setting/General/Network I see 3G is on and Cellular Data is on. Data Roaming is off, which I want since I just need SMS and Voice which would fall under Cellular Data, I can check email etc using a WiFi spot which is what I have been doing for now.

It's just really odd, I called AT&T international support again. They ran more tests, had me reset the phone numerous times, turn off and on 3G/Cellular Data and its like the phone refuses to register itself on Softbank's network.

Is 611 the number you dial from your handset for customer service on cellular networks here? AT&T claims maybe I have to dial the customer service number first since "out of area" doesn't mean I have no signal at all.

Maybe I'll take a trip to a Softbank store. Hopefully stores here aren't as clueless as the people in AT&T stores in the US.
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If this happens to anyone else, AT&T has to enable "expanded international roaming" which is a no charge add-on so long as your account qualifies for it (whatever that means).

My phone now says "NTT DOC.." instead of out of area. Thanks for the suggestions guys!

Kinda odd though, I figured I would be roaming on Softbank not NTT DoCoMo. NTT isn't even a GSM carrier if I remember correctly? Either way, phone works now!
 
e²Studios said:
If this happens to anyone else, AT&T has to enable "expanded international roaming" which is a no charge add-on so long as your account qualifies for it (whatever that means).

My phone now says "NTT DOC.." instead of out of area. Thanks for the suggestions guys!

Kinda odd though, I figured I would be roaming on Softbank not NTT DoCoMo. NTT isn't even a GSM carrier if I remember correctly? Either way, phone works now!
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Glad to hear you've got it sorted. What exactly is "expanded international roaming" and how is it different from standard international roaming?
 
DragonJade said:
Glad to hear you've got it sorted. What exactly is "expanded international roaming" and how is it different from standard international roaming?
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I think its AT&T's way of saying you can roam in other GSM locations

This is from the AT&T site
$0.00/month

Allows you to make and receive calls while traveling in more than 215 countries at pay-per-use rates. Also allows you to make calls to International locations from the U.S. at pay-per-use rates.

To place calls to the U.S. while traveling abroad, simply dial ("+"1)(area code)(number).

To place calls to an international number, simply dial ("+")(country code)(number).

For more details, check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
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DragonJade said:
So they're just flicking the switch so you can roam.

EDIT:

Just found this, although it doesn't explain why you weren't getting a signal.
http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/I...ervice-and-rates-with-an-AT-amp-T/m-p/1295454
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AT&T international support said I would get no signal unless that feature was enabled. While its free your account must qualify for it, which I think means you have to be in good standing and they have to feel your credit/past with AT&T is worth giving you the ability to roam.

I think this is why its NTT and not Softbank
http://www.nttdocomo.com/pr/2001/000742.html
 
e²Studios said:
Kinda odd though, I figured I would be roaming on Softbank not NTT DoCoMo. NTT isn't even a GSM carrier if I remember correctly? Either way, phone works now!
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iPhone only prefers Softbank over here because it's locked to Softbank. I know individuals who have taken jailbroken iPhones over to Docomo for use.
 
i also made my reservation last June 24, finally i was able to get my iphone 4 black today July 9. Surprisingly there's no issue in reception, i tried covering the antenna specifically in lower position, it doesn't drop a signal bar at all. I guess apple fix the issue today's iphone 4 units.:D
 
iammike1 said:
iPhone only prefers Softbank over here because it's locked to Softbank. I know individuals who have taken jailbroken iPhones over to Docomo for use.
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Forgot to ask. Japanese jailbroken? Were they allowed data plans with Docomo? I remember reading that Softbank would refuse to allow foreign iPhones (unlocked) to hook up to their network.
 
DragonJade said:
Forgot to ask. Japanese jailbroken? Were they allowed data plans with Docomo? I remember reading that Softbank would refuse to allow foreign iPhones (unlocked) to hook up to their network.
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I'd just hit up Google with something like Unlocked iPhone Japan Docomo or something.

Before I moved out here I had looked into it. Others had done it, their was a certain data plan they used.
 
silverwin said:
i also made my reservation last June 24, finally i was able to get my iphone 4 black today July 9. Surprisingly there's no issue in reception, i tried covering the antenna specifically in lower position, it doesn't drop a signal bar at all. I guess apple fix the issue today's iphone 4 units.:D
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Awesome! Hopefully I get a call soon. Did you get the 32GB or 16GB model? Did you order from a Softbank store or Apple?
 
svalentine said:
Awesome! Hopefully I get a call soon. Did you get the 32GB or 16GB model? Did you order from a Softbank store or Apple?
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Well this wasn't directed to me but I thought I'd pipe in here. As I mentioned before, I ordered my 32GB on 6/17 :eek: and I was down to number 7 on the list at my local Softbank for yesterday's shipment. It turns out they only got four 32GB so now I'm number 3 and it's looking good for me to finally take delivery in their next expected shipment tomorrow.
 
softbank iPhone 4 locked to Softbank only in Japan?

Hi

Has anybody used their Softbank iPhone 4 outside of Japan yet?

Is the Softbank iPhone 4 locked to Softbank only in Japan? And therefore it can use local SIMs like from China or Singapore?

The above way is how the iPad is that Softbank sells and I have seen one Japanese blog post confirm this is the way it works for iPhone 4 as well, but does anybody else have any confirmation?

Thanks
 
SaSaSushi said:
Well this wasn't directed to me but I thought I'd pipe in here. As I mentioned before, I ordered my 32GB on 6/17 :eek: and I was down to number 7 on the list at my local Softbank for yesterday's shipment. It turns out they only got four 32GB so now I'm number 3 and it's looking good for me to finally take delivery in their next expected shipment tomorrow.
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Good stuff! My Softbank said my iPhone 32GB might be in the Sunday or Monday delivery. Waiting is fun for a little bit, but now I just want the phone. haha
 
niji said:
Hi

Has anybody used their Softbank iPhone 4 outside of Japan yet?

Is the Softbank iPhone 4 locked to Softbank only in Japan? And therefore it can use local SIMs like from China or Singapore?

The above way is how the iPad is that Softbank sells and I have seen one Japanese blog post confirm this is the way it works for iPhone 4 as well, but does anybody else have any confirmation?

Thanks
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An employee in Softbank Roppongi told me that iPhone 4 will be totally locked to Softbank when i enquired if I'd be able to use it abroad.
 
want to test international facetime call to Japan

hey everyone, my gf is in japan for a bit and is thinking about getting the i4

was wondering if i could test a facetime call with someone here... if someone could post or message their number to me would appreciate it. don't worry, i'm not an exhibitionist or something.

supposedly it will not use any minutes. i will initiate it using the "FaceTime" button in contacts
 
butaro said:
On top of the monthly rate above there is an extra monthly payment of
for 12months to 17 months into contract +1,180yen
for 18months to 23 months into contract +680 yen
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I was wondering what this is exactly. Could someone help me figure this out. This past September I got an iPhone 3GS (32GB) from Softbank. I am paying monthly for the phone right now. If I want to upgrade the phone to an iPhone 4 this September (after 12 months), what will my bill look like. I am on unlimited data (flat0 with the white plan.
 
svalentine said:
Awesome! Hopefully I get a call soon. Did you get the 32GB or 16GB model? Did you order from a Softbank store or Apple?
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I only get the 16GB because i wanna buy it on cash, I did order in softbank here in hamamatsu (shizuoka ken).

Im little confused regarding this so called "0" yen promo? what's this for?
 
Oh Boy...

My iPhone 3G gets put in the washing machine (mix of drunken late night return and wife too keen to do the washing...)

In a week I've gone from no. 40 on the list to no. 17... Perhaps the iPhone shortages have been over exaggerated after all? I'm off home for a month soon and have been told that they will only keep my iPhone for 3 days, otherwise back to the end of the line.

So for the past couple of weeks no phone:mad:

I hope this makes the rest of you feel better;)
 
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