Rented mobiles

gracchietto · 10 Oct 2006

Hi!

I am an Italian lady coming for the first time to Japan at the beginning of November for two weeks.

Having been told that my European mobile phone won't be working over there I was thinking of renting one.

For family reasons I'll need to stay in touch with my family and was thinking of using mainly short messages.

Having looked at a few mobile rental companies I realise they don't seem to offer this option.

Is this true of all rental companies?

What would my options be if this is true?

Thanks in advance!

Chiara

DoctorP · 10 Oct 2006

purchase a prepaid phone at most any combini...it will work fine for calling home while you are here, and will be good for up to a year after you leave...in case you decide to come back.

gracchietto · 10 Oct 2006

Hi!
Would that mean I can send sms?
I don't mind paying a rental fee, I doubt I'll ever be able to come back to Japan in the near future, let alone within a year!
Any chances of buying a compatible phone online before leaving?
If it helps, I don't speak Japanese.
Chiara

leonmarino · 10 Oct 2006

gracchietto said:
For family reasons I'll need to stay in touch with my family and was thinking of using mainly short messages.

What do you mean with short messages? Like SMS? Because Japan's mobile telecom network doesn't support SMS. You can mail though, even with a rental one.. Don't ask me how, 'cos I have no idea!!
Good luck!!

ArmandV · 10 Oct 2006

Why not just give your family your hotel's phone number so they can call you there? If you're not in, they can always leave a message. For calling them, you can always buy an international calling card. They're not expensive. Also, you can stay in touch by email. Many hotels have computers available for free or a small fee. Check where you're staying to see if they have computers with Internet available.

Mike Cash · 10 Oct 2006

leonmarino said:
What do you mean with short messages? Like SMS? Because Japan's mobile telecom network doesn't support SMS. You can mail though, even with a rental one.. Don't ask me how, 'cos I have no idea!!
Good luck!!

Then why does my Japanese Vodafone keitai support both MMS and SMS?

Spyder93090 · 11 Oct 2006

Mike Cash said:
Then why does my Japanese Vodafone keitai support both MMS and SMS?

Same here.

leonmarino · 11 Oct 2006

Mike Cash said:
Then why does my Japanese Vodafone keitai support both MMS and SMS?

Ah, I'm sorry, I have a Vodafone pre-pay keitai I bought in Japan for when I'm there, and that one doesn't support SMS.. And my girlfriend had never heard of SMS when I spoke about it, so I kinda concluded that Japan skipped the whole SMS thing and jumped to mail instead.

Again, I'm sorry for giving wrong information.

Mike Cash · 11 Oct 2006

leonmarino said:
Ah, I'm sorry, I have a Vodafone pre-pay keitai I bought in Japan for when I'm there, and that one doesn't support SMS.. And my girlfriend had never heard of SMS when I spoke about it, so I kinda concluded that Japan skipped the whole SMS thing and jumped to mail instead.

Vodafone is just this year in the process of changing over to the 3G (?) standard. The old style phones still work, but new models are not being introduced and the old ones are being phased out.

My 905T (came out late last year) has international capabilities, including international GPS/map capabilities.

RockLee · 12 Oct 2006

Vodafone? I think you are mistaken Mike. It's Softbank ;-) 3G is old man, Japan has it for years already. When I went to Japan in 2004 they had 3G on their phones already. WE, yes WE even have 3G network for a few years already. They're already testing with 4G

Mike Cash · 12 Oct 2006

RockLee said:
Vodafone? I think you are mistaken Mike. It's Softbank ;-) 3G is old man, Japan has it for years already.

I use Vodafone.

I just changed my phone a month or so ago.

I was told they're switching over to 3G.

I switched over to 3G.

(Or did my mobile phone company just change names again and I'm just now hearing about it?)

DoctorP · 12 Oct 2006

Isn't softbank just a model of Vodafone? Just like FOMA is a model of DoCoMo?

Mike Cash · 12 Oct 2006

CC1 said:
Isn't softbank just a model of Vodafone? Just like FOMA is a model of DoCoMo?

I have no idea.

All I know is that when I showed an interest in one of the 3G models the lady wanted to loan me one for a few days so I could make sure of reception in the areas I would be using it. They're still in the process of converting their tower equipment throughout the country and 3G coverage isn't complete yet.

I have no idea what RockLee was going on about.

leonmarino · 12 Oct 2006

Mike Cash said:
I have no idea what RockLee was going on about.

I just finished studying for Business Information Management, and a part was about telecom networks. I think RockLee means 2.5G (GPRS), and upgrade of the old 2G (GSM).. 3G is UMTS, and not so much in use yet. I think. But I'm no computer wizard. And I don't know what RockLee is thinking either.

I do remember reading an article a while ago the development of 4G, and the strange fact that so many companies are putting their efforts in developing it while 3G hasn't yet got a sufficient coverage.

I apologize in advance for any mistakes.

RockLee · 12 Oct 2006

Erm, are you guys living in Japan? Softbank bought vodafone, hence it's called Softbank now

Newsarticle can be found here : Yahoo Finance - Stock Market Live, Quotes, Business & Finance News

3G is active since beginning 2001 , article here : Japan telecommunications industry (66th edition) – Market analysis & tutorial

In Belgium 3G is being used since the launch in september 15th, 2004

Article here : Account Suspended

4G is currently in the testfase, with speeds recorded of 1Gbps. Since 1998 Docomo is being testing this new technology.

Mike, CC1, leonmarino, google is your friend!

DoctorP · 12 Oct 2006

all I know is everywhere you go it still says Vodafone...then softbank

but thanks for the knowledge. I don't care for their products myself though.

Mike Cash · 12 Oct 2006

RockLee said:
Erm, are you guys living in Japan? Softbank bought vodafone, hence it's called Softbank now

Newsarticle can be found here : Yahoo Finance - Stock Market Live, Quotes, Business & Finance News

Happened since I got my new phone about a month ago, then.
I have noticed the Softbank phone shops, and sort of noticed that I don't see Vodafone signs anymore. I suspected that something was up, but as long as my phone keeps working I really don't care what they do.

In fact, when I went in to change my phone, I had to select a new service plan because when I got the previous phone, the company was still "J-Phone" and the old J-Phone service plans can no longer be used when one changes phones. (My wife is still on a J-Phone service plan).

3G is active since beginning 2001 , article here : Japan telecommunications industry (66th edition) – Market analysis & tutorial

In Belgium 3G is being used since the launch in september 15th, 2004

Mike, CC1, leonmarino, google is your friend!

First, I would have to care enough to look up this sort of crap. All I know is that Vodafone/Softbank/whatever has not yet fully implemented 3G throughout Japan yet. The changeover is still ongoing.

briareos · 13 Oct 2006

Does anyone know where I can purchase those prepaid phones in Japan, and how much is the cost like? Mobile phone rental rates here are exorbitant, so I thought of buying a phone in Japan.

I also thought of buying a 904SH there, but I heard they only sell to residents and with a contract line.

Mike Cash · 14 Oct 2006

briareos said:
Does anyone know where I can purchase those prepaid phones in Japan

At practically any convenience store.

briareos · 16 Oct 2006

But will I, as a tourist be able to buy them?

nice gaijin · 16 Oct 2006

you probably won't get the phone you want, but you will get a phone nonetheless. If you don't sign up for a contract, the phone will run pretty expensive. For a two-week stint, get a pre-paid phone. If you plan on coming back, get a nice pre-paid phone.

I have AU and we have e-mail as well as "c-mail," which is just SMS between other AU customers.

tigermilk · 31 Oct 2006

I always use ABC when I'm in Japan. Reserve on the internet, pick up/drop off at Narita. Cheap. I get the incoming calls free plan and pay just 250 yen/day. Outgoing domestic/international calls are pricey (say 100 yen/minute or more) so I stick with a calling card for that. The phone was very handy this last time, and since I had my bicycle with me I could always call one of my Japanese colleagues in a pinch.

Since I don't have enough posts yet to post links, you'll have to make do with

www dot rental-mobile dot com /en/domestic/index.html

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