crazy Japanese mobile phone jungle - TokyoHackerSpace

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Message from discussion crazy Japanese mobile phone jungle
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From: "Akiba" <ch...@freaklabs.org>
To: <tokyohackerspace@googlegroups.com>
Subject: RE: [THS:19397] crazy Japanese mobile phone jungle
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2012 11:49:15 +0900
Organization: FreakLabs, Inc.
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Unfortunately that's not true. All smartphones are locked to their carrier.
Docomo has started a program where if you pay a small fee (like 3500 yen),
they will unlock the phone for you. You have to present residence ID or
passport with valid visa or some BS like that to make sure you're not some
drug kingpin trying to set up an illicit male prostitution ring in Japan. In
any case, that's why you have to purchase a phone that is for the provider
you will be using, ie: eMobile devices for eMobile service, Softbank iPhone
for Softbank, AU iPhone for AU, etc... 

Akiba
FreakLabs Open Source Wireless
Web: http://www.freaklabs.org
Shop:http://www.freaklabsstore.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/freaklabs
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: tokyohackerspace@googlegroups.com
> [mailto:tokyohackerspace@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Torsten Wagner
> Sent: Monday, July 30, 2012 11:45 AM
> To: tokyohackerspace@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: [THS:19397] crazy Japanese mobile phone jungle
> 
> But thanks for the link.
> 
> By "make sure they are compatible" you mean technologically?!
> As far as I understood all smartphones should operate with all
> networks (maybe beside of some very strange models or networks).
> Getting an international available smartphone should work isn't it?
> 
> Totti
> 
> 
> On 30 July 2012 11:26, Akiba <ch...@freaklabs.org> wrote:
> > I normally recommend to people that don't want to get locked into a 2
year
> > contract to buy a used phone directly from Janpara and get it activated
at
> > the phone company of your choice. Make sure the phone and company are
> > compatible. Janpara used phones reflect the real market price of the
phones
> > (usually cheap) plus a discount based on the fact that it's used.
> >
> > Here's the smart phone category at Janpara. It's where I buy my smart
phones
> > for dev.
> > http://www.janpara.co.jp/sale/search/result/?OUTCLSCODE=46
> >
> > Akiba
> > FreakLabs Open Source Wireless
> > Web: http://www.freaklabs.org
> > Shop:http://www.freaklabsstore.com
> > Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/freaklabs
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: tokyohackerspace@googlegroups.com
> >> [mailto:tokyohackerspace@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Torsten Wagner
> >> Sent: Monday, July 30, 2012 11:09 AM
> >> To: tokyohackerspace@googlegroups.com
> >> Subject: [THS:19391] crazy Japanese mobile phone jungle
> >>
> >> Hey all,
> >>
> >> since my mobile phone contract is going to end, I was looking for
> > alternatives.
> >> However, as you all know Japanese mobile phone market is close to
> > insanity.
> >>
> >> All this plans, dozen of different options, half of which are
> >> "mandatory options" (that is so ridiculous to have "must-tick"
> >> options)...
> >> Another half dozen of options which can or can not be canceled a few
> >> weeks later.
> >> All together with special offers, special plans, special service and
> >> sure a dozen of money back offers.
> >>
> >> And to all this horror people at the counter are, let me say polite,
> >> still on there way of being professional. They actually telling you
> >> stuff which is simply not true and on most and all more difficult
> >> questions they ask you to wait for them as they go to get feedback
> >> from a supervisor.
> >>
> >> Actually, my phone is fine and I was considering to reuse it but maybe
> >> switch to a cheaper plan with data-flat. I asked in several shops...
> >> None of them could tell me if they just offer a bare standard contract
> >> offering just a SIM card, no new phone, no special whatever options.
> >> Just a monthly fee and a SIM card. I ended up again and again in a
> >> selling conversation for a new phone.
> >>
> >> On the other hand I know many stuff is possible, as long as you show
> >> the staff in the shop exactly what you want to have and point them to
> >> hard facts. They will check up again and again with the supervisors
> >> but eventually, after hours of debating and waiting you might end up
> >> with a SIM card.
> >>
> >> So maybe we can summarize here the most easiest and cheapest way to
> >> run a mobile phone in Japan without trapping in all this
> >> super-offer-option-payback-point-collection nonsens...
> >> That is a topic which is coming up over and over again on this list
> >> and if we find some sane good solutions we could add this to the THS
> >> page.
> >>
> >> Ok here is a start
> >>
> >> Long-time residents (2 years and longer):
> >> Just sign up for one of the plenty 2 year contract offers, make sure
> >> you do not pay to much for the phone (the price given is not the
> >> market price), ask for discounts if you pay the phone in one go, take
> >> a native Japanese speaker with you (it's not only language but also
> >> cultural translation), try to avoid as many of the "attractive"
> >> options as possible, make sure you can cancel the mandatory options
> >> later. Do not get talked into something!
> >>
> >> Mid-time residents (3 month - 2 years):
> >> Try to get a bare SIM card offer and use it in your own phone.
> >> Make a 2 year contract like above but check out for cancellation fees
> >> if you have to cancel in advance.
> >>
> >> Short-time visitors (<3 month):
> >> Use some of the prepaid SIM cards like bmobile and your own phone
> >> Rent a phone from services at the airport or online
> >>
> >> Totti
> >>
> >> --
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