Going on a trip to Japan, need some options for cell phone use

[Amuse]

My brother is going to Japan for about 2 weeks.
I need to know what options are there for cell phone use.
He is on Rogers with an iPhone 4S.

What are the options with Rogers and the options (for a prepaid phone?) in Japan?

Thanks

[c3m]

It's impossible for non-legal resident to get prepaid or sign up for any cellphone service at most stores in Japan. The law requires a legal address and ID verification upon signing up and most stores only take documents released in Japan.

You could go with postpaid services. I believe the b-mobile sim can be found at Yodabashi stores across Japan. But you will most likely need to speak Japanese or find an English speaking staff member to get it
http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/sim/index.html (Data only)
http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/sim_t/index.html (Talk + Data only)

The Rogers iPhone 4S will work in Japan. It will be able to do calls, text and data under roaming on softbank or docomo depending on which network the 4S picks up.
One thing though don't turn off 3G because Japan doesn't have GSM network so even if you don't plan to use data, leave 3G on. Otherwise you won't be able to get any network.

Since I assume the iPhone 4S is locked to Rogers, then you either have to get it unlocked or use another phone that can take foreign sim cards AND have 2100 freq 3G

I'm not sure the purpose of you brother's trip but if it's leisure / vocation then I don't think he will be using the phone much through out the day unless he needs to be connected 24/7.

Also for emergency services in Japan
Ambulance / Fire = 119
Police = 110

[Amuse]

Thanks c3m

The iphone 4s is locked to rogers
I have an unlocked BB Bold 9000 which I believe has 3G 2100.
He will be using it for pleasure, to contact a few friends in Japan.

Is there roaming services to use his rogers iphone 4s with rogers sim in Japan?
Is this better than going with postpaid services in an unlocked phone?

[Sky_High]

Originally Posted by c3m

It's impossible for non-legal resident to get prepaid or sign up for any cellphone service at most stores in Japan. The law requires a legal address and ID verification upon signing up and most stores only take documents released in Japan.

Not true anymore. It has became much more easier to acquire prepaid sim cards for tourist in the past few years.
Even easier if you only require one that provides data and no access to incoming/outgoing calls.

But having said that...the price of their calling/data rates are especially if you're travelling for leisure only...

[SkinnyPupp]

What I usually do is rent a SIM from Softbank for 100Y a day for the very infrequent voice calls I'd need to make, and rent an unlimited Wifi hotspot from Pupuru.

Those hotspots burn battery though, so I'd recommend having an external USB battery on hand if you use it all day. I had a Zagg Spark that I kept in my bag and it was really handy.

If you have an unlocked iPhone, Softbank will include data capped at a certain amount per day, making it effectively unlimited. For some stupid reason they won't do this for any other phone.

Whatever you do, don't roam

[c3m]

Originally Posted by Amuse

Is there roaming services to use his rogers iphone 4s with rogers sim in Japan?
Is this better than going with postpaid services in an unlocked phone?

Roaming

Just select Japan for the country

It's $3 dollars per minute, 75 cents for SMS and 3cents per kb with a each minimum increment 20kb (so its 60cents every 20kb, it'll be 2 dollars if you use 25kb and etc..)

[Amuse]

What if you buy a cell phone in Japan?
Use it for 2 weeks in Japan and then bring it to Canada to use on Rogers.
Are their phones unlocked? Expensive? able to use in Canada? If so, which frequencies on the phone do you need to look for?

[Amuse]

Originally Posted by c3m

Roaming

Just select Japan for the country

It's $3 dollars per minute, 75 cents for SMS and 3cents per kb with a each minimum increment 20kb (so its 60cents every 20kb, it'll be 2 dollars if you use 25kb and etc..)

For roaming in Japan, the iphone doesn't need to be unlocked right?

[c3m]

Originally Posted by Amuse

For roaming in Japan, the iphone doesn't need to be unlocked right?

iPhone don't need to be unlocked for roaming. As long as the sim card in the iPhone is from Rogers (since your iPhone is from Rogers). The phone will pick up Softbank or Docomo network in Japan and the charges will show up on your Rogers bill if you ever use the service (voice, text, data)

As for buying a phone in Japan. Many of their smartphones becomes paperweight once it leaves the country and I am not sure if you can buy a phone out right.

Since we are talking about communications in Japan. Don't forget that it is illegal to use FRS and GMRS walkie-talkie in Japan.
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