Communications In Japan

[Redsuns88]

Japan was running an advanced verison of CDMA, last time i checked they was releasing 3G but their own seperate verison of 3G which is larger and handles up to 5gb/sec

If i remember right even when roaming overseas it has to be a compatible network for your phone to pick up the signal.

or if you really want to spend the cash rock up to lawsons and buy a 2000 yen KDDI phone card..

dont expect it to last long when calling to homelines and dont expect teh quality to be at its best.

2000 yen works out to tbe like 25aus

[Starionturbo]

I work for telstra and I get asked these questions quite a lot. Telstras NextG phones and cards CAN work on a 2100 mhz frequency as well as there exclusive 3G850 network.

Telstra is partnered to the JP DOCOMO and Softbank networks in japan.

Call costs are as follows on top of your regular rates.

http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/internat_...bmit_gsm=Submit

One thing I can suggest before going overseas is to check with your carrier that you have International Roaming activated because a lot of people dont and just assume there phone will work overseas.

[Redsuns88]

I work for telstra and I get asked these questions quite a lot. Telstras NextG phones and cards CAN work on a 2100 mhz frequency as well as there exclusive 3G850 network.

Telstra is partnered to the JP DOCOMO and Softbank networks in japan.

Call costs are as follows on top of your regular rates.

http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/internat_...bmit_gsm=Submit

One thing I can suggest before going overseas is to check with your carrier that you have International Roaming activated because a lot of people dont and just assume there phone will work overseas.

I worked for telstra too in the WDCS bris team.. before i left due to management issues..

[elrodeo666]

Well all i can do is warn you of costs..

Was in korea twice last month and 12 days in total, hardly used my phone but didndt turn off data roaming on first trip and got bill today for 45,000 yen..

I've been stung before..over 200,000 yen for a month..

Make sure you turn data roaming off on the iphone!!

[Swiper the Fox]

I worked for telstra too in the WDCS bris team.. before i left due to management issues..

i used to work in the Telstra Brisbane project team...April, May, June this year before they ran out of cash and sent me home.

Telstra Management...is that not an oxymoron ? I shouldn't say that should i...they have been paying me $$ for the last 20 years.

Edited July 1, 2009 by DiRTgarage

[Blitz]

None of Australia's networks work in Japan be it prepaid or on a plan, even if they are set to roam globally.

Seriously, where are you getting this information from?

I use my Optus mobile every day when I am in Japan and have done so for the past 5 years

The moment I step off the plane and switch my phone on, its connected.

[sewid]

Seriously, where are you getting this information from?

I use my mobile every day when I am in Japan and have done so for the past 5 years.

lol yeah.

Can you tell Optus about how my phone "didn't work"? Maybe I'll get out of my $600 bill for all the not-talking and non-data I used over there last trip...

[Blitz]

lol yeah.

Can you tell Optus about how my phone "didn't work"? Maybe I'll get out of my $600 bill for all the not-talking and non-data I used over there last trip...

Good point.

Not sure how I was able to ring you when you were at Gas Panic all those nights when our phones didn't work.

[sewid]

To the OP, iPhones work great in Japan. Turn on global roaming and away you go.

Careful on the data downloads though! Turn data roaming off for peace of mind.

[sleeper_et]

Unless you have some really really important reason to use your phone from Australia in Japan - don't bother.

It would be cheaper to just hire a phone and go to an internet cafe an forward everyone your number. I can't see how people get so attached to their phone that they feel the need to take it with them.

Edited July 5, 2009 by sleeper_et

[AGE]

How well do the iPhone GPS work in Japan?

[elrodeo666]

Helps if you can put an address in in japanese, alot more accurate but I use it all the time here for finding places.