[monkeypaw]

Originally Posted by aghoo90272

So, Stewsan, may i confirm that T-Mobile Curve would work in Japan (not just at Narita) using UMA access?

I was in Tokyo in May for about 10 days, and this does work, however it's not the easiest thing to find an open network. Also most of the time I could find a network where I could download my email, but calling did not work.

In Narita I tried for about an hour while waiting to leave and could never find any network that I could use. However someone posted Tmobile's list of Hotspots and the ANA lounge and one other were hotspots. But I think they have a roaming charge for calls at least. Maybe data would just get through without a charge.

Google comes up with this for phone rental:
NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIAL WEBSITE - Airport Guide:Useful facilities & services.

[aghoo90272]

Thank you for the useful information.

[stewsan]

Yes, the Curve from T-Mobile will work in Japan on UMA. I'm currently in Tokyo and it works very well. When I go out in the city and take it with me, I have to fine a hotspot to hook up on and now that I know where I can grab a signal, it's not a problem. It's neat, sitting in a coffee shop in the morning visiting with friends in the states. I use a BT headset and have learned over the years that it's not necessary to shout on a cell phone..... As mentioned previously, the 8707 works well also and I just slip my t-mobile sim card into it. It doesn't matter if it's a v,b,q,e,t model, it works.

If you do have problems hooking up to uma, take out the battery and do a hard restart. I've found, that once it hooks up to a wireless router, it hooks up easily to after that. Good Luck! It's hot here now, like you wouldn't believe....

[stewsan]

Oh, about renting a blackberry in Japan, that's a No. In fact, as hard as it is to believe, individuals can not purchase one, only corporations. At least that's the way it was the last time I checked. Strange. Of course I also heard a rumor that they eat their fish raw....

[ricpac]

We eat raw fish here too!

[aghoo90272]

This is very helpful information. Thanks. On BB rental, I did find this online site that does it. Talked to them. They seem very professional. I guess with my T-Mobile Curve, I probably won't need their rental service. For those who might, you may try myjapanphone.com.

[stewsan]

Thanks ricpac for that info. I'm hoping it's not coming out of Manila Bay.... And Ag, thanks for the link to rent a BB for use in Japan. I get asked that once in a while. I do think taking a wireless router along with your Curve is perfect for short trips, although I'm doing a stretch here now and I do switch over to my 8707 during the week. I see on the internet they are about $550 so better than the $750 I paid a couple years ago...

[holden]

Originally Posted by ckent

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.

Ckent:
Who is your carrier? (At&t?)
Thx...
H.

[holden]

Originally Posted by fusky

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.

I think you answered my question. Thanks...
So if I can get my hands on an 8707 (I need 3) or a Blackberry Bold I can send my managers over to Toyko with their existing AT&T sims and make sure they have international plans on their accounts and I am set?

H.

[marchitect]

Originally Posted by Dubdub

The Verizon/Sprint 8830 world phones doesn't work in Japan either.

The 8830 DOES work in Tokyo,
I can't verify for the rest of Japan. Here's a post I made from another thread.

Before arriving in Tokyo I called Sprint and they assured me my 8830 BB would work.
Well, here I am in Tokyo an it works to some degree.
In both the air port and in central Tokyo I get a roaming signal. I can't verify for the rest of the area but only for central Tokyo itself.
Here are the details from my phone under the "Services Status" screen:

Status: Roaming
Connection: Mobile Network
BB Internet Service Connection: Not Connected
BB Enterprise Server: Not Connected

Mobile Network - 4 bars (typically)
1x (not sure what this is)
Mobile network provider: International (not really a company like vodophone or similar)

So, It doesn't look like I can get any email or other data services here in Tokyo.

[holden]

Originally Posted by marchitect

The 8830 DOES work in Tokyo,
I can't verify for the rest of Japan. Here's a post I made from another thread.

Before arriving in Tokyo I called Sprint and they assured me my 8830 BB would work.
Well, here I am in Tokyo an it works to some degree.
In both the air port and in central Tokyo I get a roaming signal. I can't verify for the rest of the area but only for central Tokyo itself.
Here are the details from my phone under the "Services Status" screen:

Status: Roaming
Connection: Mobile Network
BB Internet Service Connection: Not Connected
BB Enterprise Server: Not Connected

Mobile Network - 4 bars (typically)
1x (not sure what this is)
Mobile network provider: International (not really a company like vodophone or similar)

So, It doesn't look like I can get any email or other data services here in Tokyo.

marchitect;

Thanks for the update. Good info. to know. Let us know how your doing on Voice and Data once you get adjusted to everything over there...
H.

[jpexpert]

JCR rents Japan based BB8707H model which allows BES & BIS connections w/FREE incoming calls. Data charges are minimal and the call rates are allot less than roaming rates. Suggest you use the call forwarding service from your US based phone. JCR will deliver the device in Japan or in the USA.

[holden]

Originally Posted by jpexpert

JCR rents Japan based BB8707H model which allows BES & BIS connections w/FREE incoming calls. Data charges are minimal and the call rates are allot less than roaming rates. Suggest you use the call forwarding service from your US based phone. JCR will deliver the device in Japan or in the USA.

Who is JCR? We used Cellhire out of the US last time and they sent us 8707g's.

We just got our first BOLD yesterday. I setup one of your tech managers.
Since we are planning another trip in the middle of November to mainland Japan, I am not sure if we can send them with AT&T cards and international data plans and if this will work on the BOLD.

Thx...