BlackBerry Forums Support Community
              

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 02-19-2008, 10:43 PM   #1
slaughterj
New Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Model: 8700c
PIN: N/A
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 6
Default U.S. BBerry in Japan

Please Login to Remove!

What's the latest on BBs usable in Japan? Note, I'm talking about taking a U.S. one (e.g., with AT&T) over to Japan and still getting email (as opposed to one set up with a Japanese carrier in Japan with Japanese text - which is what most net searches seem to discuss...months ago).
Offline  
Old 02-19-2008, 10:45 PM   #2
x14
BlackBerry Extraordinaire
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Model: 9800
OS: 6.0.0.546
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 2,344
Default

You need a 8707g from NTT DoCoMo USA.

BlackBerry - BlackBerry | BlackBerry 8707g
Offline  
Old 02-19-2008, 10:49 PM   #3
Dubdub
Appleinator
 
Dubdub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: New Hampshire
Model: App6+
OS: AJBR549
PIN: Ask
Carrier: ATT & Verizon
Posts: 20,038
Default

Did you search the forums here? This has been asked many times.

Doubt if a US phone will work, unless it is WiFi capable. Japan uses a different technology and frequency that US devices. the only BB I know of that will work if the 8707v, but that is on GPRS capable in the US. Most people I know of rent a Japanese cell phone upon arrival at Narita.

The Verizon/Sprint 8830 world phones doesn't work in Japan either.
Offline  
Old 02-20-2008, 09:04 AM   #4
NJBlackBerry
Grumpy Moderator
 
NJBlackBerry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Somewhere in the swamps of Jersey
Model: SGS7
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 27,948
Default

GSM based BlackBerrys will only work at Narita. So you'll be fine unless you leave the airport!
Offline  
Old 02-20-2008, 01:33 PM   #5
slaughterj
New Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Model: 8700c
PIN: N/A
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 6
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubdub View Post
Did you search the forums here? This has been asked many times.
Yes, I searched on here, as well as on Google, which gives a number of hits for this site. But nothing I found provided any recent information, and as I stated, I'm looking for the latest information (i.e., one might expect for a tech product, that new ones will come out from time to time, so a search isn't always going to give you that information).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubdub View Post
Japan uses a different technology and frequency that US devices.
Thanks, I know that.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubdub View Post
Most people I know of rent a Japanese cell phone upon arrival at Narita.
I'm not much worried about talking, I'm wanting to send/receive work emails, so rental isn't an option.

Last edited by slaughterj; 02-20-2008 at 01:53 PM..
Offline  
Old 02-20-2008, 01:38 PM   #6
slaughterj
New Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Model: 8700c
PIN: N/A
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 6
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by x14 View Post
You need a 8707g from NTT DoCoMo USA.

BlackBerry - BlackBerry | BlackBerry 8707g
On this RIM site (http://www.rim.com/products/handhelds/index.shtml), it only lists the 8707h for Japan, not 8707g - was your message a typo? (I saw a link to a site about using a "g" in Japan, but can't access the site itself, and that would seem like something they should mention on the link above if it did work??) Or can a few different models work in Japan (e.g., 8707v on a different search), but the 8707h is *the* one being promoted for such use?

The 8707h is also mentioned elsewhere (http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...ion-8707h.html) as not having EDGE - so how's that affect my ability to send/receive emails in the U.S. and otherwise?

(Note, clicking on the 8707h on the above link takes you to another site (BlackBerry) which notes its use in Japan (though not for Japanese character input, which I don't need anyway).)

Last edited by slaughterj; 02-20-2008 at 01:51 PM..
Offline  
Old 02-20-2008, 02:23 PM   #7
Dubdub
Appleinator
 
Dubdub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: New Hampshire
Model: App6+
OS: AJBR549
PIN: Ask
Carrier: ATT & Verizon
Posts: 20,038
Default

The 8707 series as I understand it is a European model, so my guess is they are all essentially the same. The one I am familiar with the is Vodaphone version, 8707v which is GPRS only in the US.

Web browsing, email, VPN connections, Instant Messenger (AOL, ICQ, MSN Messenger) are services compatible with GPRS. Just don't expect blazing speed, something a bit slower than dial up can be expected.

NJBlackberry pretty much summed it up, I think.

Last edited by Dubdub; 02-20-2008 at 02:25 PM..
Offline  
Old 02-20-2008, 02:40 PM   #8
monkeypaw
BlackBerry Extraordinaire
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Model: None
PIN: N/A
Carrier: ATT
Posts: 1,638
Default

8707g and h just seem to be slightly different flavors.

8707h Network:
850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS and 2100 MHz W-CDMA networks

8707g Network:
850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS and 2100 MHz UMTS networks

BlackBerry
BlackBerry

Perhaps g is sold in the US and h in Asia???
NTT DoCoMo USA || namikiteru || BlackBerry 8707g

"* This product available to U.S. residents only.
* Activation of the BlackBerry 8707g must be handled directly with your wireless service provider."

Last edited by monkeypaw; 02-20-2008 at 02:41 PM..
Offline  
Old 02-20-2008, 02:49 PM   #9
slaughterj
New Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Model: 8700c
PIN: N/A
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 6
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubdub View Post
The 8707 series as I understand it is a European model, so my guess is they are all essentially the same. The one I am familiar with the is Vodaphone version, 8707v which is GPRS only in the US.
They appear largely the same for networks, but different as monkeypaw noted (and see: List of BlackBerry Models) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubdub View Post
Web browsing, email, VPN connections, Instant Messenger (AOL, ICQ, MSN Messenger) are services compatible with GPRS. Just don't expect blazing speed, something a bit slower than dial up can be expected.
Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubdub View Post
NJBlackberry pretty much summed it up, I think.
Um, I only see his post about using bberrys in Narita airport, are you referring to something else?

Last edited by slaughterj; 02-20-2008 at 02:53 PM..
Offline  
Old 02-20-2008, 02:51 PM   #10
slaughterj
New Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Model: 8700c
PIN: N/A
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 6
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by monkeypaw View Post
8707g and h just seem to be slightly different flavors.

8707h Network:
850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS and 2100 MHz W-CDMA networks

8707g Network:
850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS and 2100 MHz UMTS networks

BlackBerry
BlackBerry
So what's the meaningful difference between those two 2100 MHz networks?

Quote:
Originally Posted by monkeypaw View Post
Perhaps g is sold in the US and h in Asia???
NTT DoCoMo USA || namikiteru || BlackBerry 8707g

"* This product available to U.S. residents only.
* Activation of the BlackBerry 8707g must be handled directly with your wireless service provider."
Heh, my next question was where to even buy the 8707h - it isn't on ebay, general searches to buy it, etc. - the closest I see if a link to NTT DOCOMO to contact them about the unit!
Offline  
Old 02-20-2008, 03:37 PM   #11
monkeypaw
BlackBerry Extraordinaire
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Model: None
PIN: N/A
Carrier: ATT
Posts: 1,638
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by slaughterj View Post
So what's the meaningful difference between those two 2100 MHz networks?



Heh, my next question was where to even buy the 8707h - it isn't on ebay, general searches to buy it, etc. - the closest I see if a link to NTT DOCOMO to contact them about the unit!
I don't know what the difference in the networks is. You'll have to Google to figure that out. They seem to be similar. I think the 8707g is available in the US and the 8707h somewhere else.

I don't have any personal experience with using BB in Japan, so barring some other user user posting, you have to do the final leg work in contacting AT&T and Docomo US.
Offline  
Old 02-20-2008, 03:54 PM   #12
fusky
Thumbs Must Hurt
 
Join Date: May 2007
Model: 8830
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 73
Default

Get the 8707g from NTT DoCoMo USA.

We have 2 users in Japan using them with AT&T SIMs. It works perfectly.

NTT DoCoMo USA usually takes 2+ weeks though to deliver the device once it is ordered.
__________________
Ex Novice BES Admin
Offline  
Old 02-21-2008, 05:58 AM   #13
crossbones
Thumbs Must Hurt
 
crossbones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Model: 8310
PIN: 2525A4A3
Carrier: T-Mobile UK
Posts: 70
Default

You need a 3g gsm blackberry. As what used to be Vodafone Japan uses 3g. The rest of Japan use a completly different technology to the rest of the world.

This i salso known as UMTS so the 8707v and the 8707h are the only ones that will work. Unless the US has a different 3g blackberry. I believe w-cdma is the same but runs on a different frequency to UMTS but with the same protocals, It may work but I can't gurantee that!
Offline  
Old 02-22-2008, 02:29 PM   #14
slaughterj
New Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Model: 8700c
PIN: N/A
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 6
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fusky View Post
Get the 8707g from NTT DoCoMo USA.

We have 2 users in Japan using them with AT&T SIMs. It works perfectly.

NTT DoCoMo USA usually takes 2+ weeks though to deliver the device once it is ordered.
Thanks for the info!

Do your users in Japan also use the same blackberries in the U.S.? My tech dept is telling me they can only hook one up to my account (I currently have an 8700c), and if I use the 8707 in the U.S., it doesn't get EDGE network so I would always be roaming, so I seem to be in a bit of a quandry (can't hook up both, but can't solely use an 8707 in U.S.).

Or are they able to simply swap the SIM cards between units and there is no problem with receiving email? (I thought the tech people needed to do *something* to make them work.)

Last edited by slaughterj; 02-22-2008 at 02:30 PM..
Offline  
Old 02-22-2008, 02:35 PM   #15
ckent
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Boston
Model: 9000
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 40
Default

We purchased 8707s directly from RIM a couple of months ago and got them within two days. When our folks travel to Japan we pull their SIM cards and swap out for the 8707 devices, not the most elegant of solutions, but it works.
Offline  
Old 02-22-2008, 02:57 PM   #16
fusky
Thumbs Must Hurt
 
Join Date: May 2007
Model: 8830
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 73
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by slaughterj View Post
Thanks for the info!

Do your users in Japan also use the same blackberries in the U.S.? My tech dept is telling me they can only hook one up to my account (I currently have an 8700c), and if I use the 8707 in the U.S., it doesn't get EDGE network so I would always be roaming, so I seem to be in a bit of a quandry (can't hook up both, but can't solely use an 8707 in U.S.).

Or are they able to simply swap the SIM cards between units and there is no problem with receiving email? (I thought the tech people needed to do *something* to make them work.)
It works fine in the US for us (I set them up here in the US and shipped them to Japan). AT&T SIM with the 8707g. They have the unlimited international roaming plan on their accounts.

No SIM card swapping needed.
__________________
Ex Novice BES Admin
Offline  
Old 02-22-2008, 03:23 PM   #17
monkeypaw
BlackBerry Extraordinaire
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Model: None
PIN: N/A
Carrier: ATT
Posts: 1,638
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by slaughterj View Post

snip

My tech dept is telling me they can only hook one up to my account (I currently have an 8700c), and if I use the 8707 in the U.S., it doesn't get EDGE network so I would always be roaming, so I seem to be in a bit of a quandry (can't hook up both, but can't solely use an 8707 in U.S.).

snip
With AT&T, you should get a connection with GSM and GPRS. It's not as fast as EDGE, but shouldn't be roaming.
Offline  
Old 02-23-2008, 07:34 PM   #18
stewsan
Thumbs Must Hurt
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Pattaya,Thailand
Model: 9900
Carrier: T-mobile,AIS,Globe
Posts: 147
Default

I've been using the 8707v, (all the 8707 series will work in Japan) for a couple of years and it works everywhere in Japan. Now I have the 8320 Curve with T-mobile and use that instead. I carry a small wifi that I plug in when I'm in hotel rooms so I can use UMA and also the e-mails. Wifi is very common place in Japan and then I also have free calls back to the USA. I'm not sure about the comment about using GSM in Narita airport. I've never seen that but of course I'm only in the airport about 10 days a month. As far as swapping sim cards, unless your tech dept. has some block, switching sim cards can be done in a matter of minutes. If you have a friend with an unlocked BB you can give it a try.
Offline  
Old 07-24-2008, 02:28 PM   #19
aghoo90272
New Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Model: 8300
PIN: N/A
Carrier: T-Mobile
Posts: 4
Default

So, Stewsan, may i confirm that T-Mobile Curve would work in Japan (not just at Narita) using UMA access?
Offline  
Old 07-24-2008, 02:29 PM   #20
aghoo90272
New Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Model: 8300
PIN: N/A
Carrier: T-Mobile
Posts: 4
Default

Also, does anyone know if I can rent a Blackberry at Narita to be used in Japan?
Offline  
Closed Thread


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


Grandstream WP810 Dual Band Portable Wi-Fi Phone Voip Phone and Device- picture

Grandstream WP810 Dual Band Portable Wi-Fi Phone Voip Phone and Device-

$42.95



Digium D-60 VoIP Phone picture

Digium D-60 VoIP Phone

$39.99



Polycom SoundPoint IP 335 HD Corded VoIP Phone Office Business Phone Black picture

Polycom SoundPoint IP 335 HD Corded VoIP Phone Office Business Phone Black

$18.00



NEW CyberData Amplifier 011061B VoIP V2 Paging picture

NEW CyberData Amplifier 011061B VoIP V2 Paging

$89.99



Mitel 5330e Enhanced Gigabit (50006476) BACKLIT Display POE IP NEW picture

Mitel 5330e Enhanced Gigabit (50006476) BACKLIT Display POE IP NEW

$139.00



Allworx Verge 9308 Voip IP Display Phone 8113080 Black, Ethernet VOIP picture

Allworx Verge 9308 Voip IP Display Phone 8113080 Black, Ethernet VOIP

$88.09







Copyright © 2004-2016 BlackBerryForums.com.
The names RIM © and BlackBerry © are registered Trademarks of BlackBerry Inc.