Pre-Paid Cell Phone

[wetworx]

I'll be in Tokyo for 90 days, and I wanted to know what my options are. I know I can go to Softbank, Go Mobile or KDDI...but does NTT Docomo still offer prepaid options? Which is the most cost effective of those services?

I would prefer to purchase a Docomo 905i phone, that way I can take it back with me overseas (i assume it must be unlocked to work with my carrier). Is this even possible? or can it not be used with prepaid services?

any other such related advice or suggestions as to shops for phones/services, would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you.

Regards.

 

[wetworx]

I was told by those at the Harajuku Softbank, that only two phones are offered for prepaid. That phone is the 201SH which sells for about 4-5000Y, plus I'd need to purchase a 3000Y or 5000Y prepaid card. I asked whether I could get a 905i and use that with the card, and they said no.

Is this because the phone is locked? can it be unlocked? Are there older/other phones I can buy secondhand that will support the prepaid cards?

 

[karlyboo]

Japan uses the J-DMA network [derived from CDMA] (rather than the more common GSM standard) which means that phones are locked to specific carriers and networks. Unless you acquire a phone that is already on that network it will not work (technically you could port the number over but I don't suppose you want all that hassle )

You can normally rent an entire cellphone quite cheaply- most of the major carriers IIRC have counters at Narita Airport. Hope that helps

 

[Maticarp]

Japan uses FOMA (a form of W-CDMA, or japanese 3G), phones of there cannot be used in GSM areas (most of the world). 3G is slowly spreading worldwide but the service is quite poor an with very small coverage.
Greetings