vB Easy Archive - One more reason for DoCoMo/Softbank to make Japan-only handsets?

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One more reason for DoCoMo/Softbank to make Japan-only handsets?
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Posted by: Junglizt1210

OK, I want this to be a discussion of reasons why DoCoMo/Softbank would want to make roaming handsets or even... not to make them.

Possible reasons to make roaming handsets:
- Good for shareholders internationally
- Good to show the rest of the world (similar to previous one)
- Good for Japanese customers

Possible reasons not to make them roaming/GSM compatible/etc.
- To deter exporting/importing
- To reduce costs, e.g. FCC-approval costs??? Naturally research costs and testing costs on GSM/other 3G networks as well come into this.

Is the last reason a possible reason the carriers and/or manufacturers would want to make handsets non-compatible, or limited compatibility elsewhere? (e.g. DoCoMo's 3G only world wing handsets)

Posted by: yangj08

It would seem that the primary reason to make phones non-compatible is because of their subsidy model, which is *very* generous compared to that of other countries' carriers, like AT&T. They're losing money.

However, a good reason for them to make roaming handsets is so they have some open doors in the future- if they want to expand into other countries, for instance. Japan's mobile market must be pretty close to saturated if it's not already, so the only direction to go is outward.

Posted by: Akira87

we dont want softbank to end up like vodafone, vodafone invested a lot in the 903sh, and look what happened?, they got imported and lost lots of money haha, we killed vodafone shame on ourselves lol, im jst playing :P

Posted by: yangj08

That was partly their own fault, though. If they had priced the 903SH the same in all their markets such a thing wouldn't have happened (at least, not to the degree that it did).

Posted by: donelly

If the main reason is to prevent the sale of their handsets to overseas markets, why not just increase the cancelation fees of their contracts in Japan? Wouldn't that deter the export of unlocked mobiles in the first place?

Why don't Japanese handset makers embrace the chance to sell unbranded phones in overseas markets (with slight modifications to fit the local needs), much like Nokia does here in the U.S.?

Posted by: aw614

they tried and it didnt go to well

Posted by: electric

Panasonic did sold their GSM handsets outside Japan before, but later withdraw.

Posted by: yangj08

Quote:

Originally Posted by electric

Panasonic did sold their GSM handsets outside Japan before, but later withdraw.

It wasn't exactly on par with what they had in their domestic market, though. They didn't even include expandable storage in most of their GSM models, which may have been OK if they had included a decent amount of internal storage. However, I believe the VS models had something like 16-32MB.

I really think SE should try selling some of their Japan-market models internationally. The new SO905iCS would make a much better flagship model than the current Cyber-shot phone. Not to mention their selection for KDDI which would be great if, say, Sprint were to pick them up. Certainly better than they were doing when they pulled out of the American CDMA market.

Posted by: Junglizt1210

nor did they have 3G in the international models.

Posted by: Junglizt1210

Quote:

Originally Posted by donelly

If the main reason is to prevent the sale of their handsets to overseas markets, why not just increase the cancelation fees of their contracts in Japan? Wouldn't that deter the export of unlocked mobiles in the first place?

Why don't Japanese handset makers embrace the chance to sell unbranded phones in overseas markets (with slight modifications to fit the local needs), much like Nokia does here in the U.S.?

If they increased the costs (Which softbank has already done) then surelythe more they do it, the more prohibitive being on softbank would be for those actually in Japan?

Perhaps they see no need to sell loads in a market not ready to embrace the models? Maybe this is why Sharp phones didn't make it everywhere. Selling your product in a market not ready for it is a sure waste of money, is it not? I don't study business or economics so I can't really comment further. I guess if there's no demand, the supply isn't going to be there. And us cellphone fanatics only make up a small fraction of the niche market.

Posted by: donelly

Quote:

Originally Posted by electric

Panasonic did sold their GSM handsets outside Japan before, but later withdraw.

that's exactly my point. if I remember correctly, their reasoning was that the cell phone markets were to competitive with the low-end models of Samsung, Motorola, etc. dominating the North American market for the past two or three years now. Why not just open a couple of flagship stores and an internet store and sell a handful of decent handsets unlocked for a premium price? I just don't understand the economics behind a complete withdrawal. I think Nokia and maybe even Apple demonstrated that a certain demographic is willing to pay a higher price for a nice gadget, even here in the U.S.

Posted by: aw614

Quote:

Originally Posted by yangj08

storage was not as important a few years ago as much as it is now

Posted by: yangj08

Quote:

Originally Posted by aw614

storage was not as important a few years ago as much as it is now

They were selling up to early this year and possibly still selling (in the Chinese market Panasonic is quite a bit more popular than it is in the States).

Posted by: Akira87

theres been rumor of panasonic injecting itself back into the GSM scene launching in the beijing olympics is that true? idk im hearing it from the chinese forums

Posted by: electric

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junglizt1210

nor did they have 3G in the international models.

That's why I say "GSM" handset!!!

Posted by: Akira87

they were gnna release 1 phone with 3G but it got cancelled

Posted by: yangj08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akira87

theres been rumor of panasonic injecting itself back into the GSM scene launching in the beijing olympics is that true? idk im hearing it from the chinese forums

Could be (at least the Chinese market). They've been fairly popular here before they left. It would be nice if they got back in the game with something appealing... like the P905i(for China it would DMB instead of 1seg, I think- couldn't the world standardize on that?).

Posted by: Junglizt1210

In a way, I'm quite happy sourcing out rare phones to use, and usually quite happy to pay the associated price for them (newer imports often aren't that cheap, but then you buy exclusitivity, gimmicky features and quality over normal features, commoness and a ease of use)

Until 4G comes along, I will happily continue buying Japanese phones. Even when 4G comes along, I get the feeling I'll still be buying imports.

Posted by: Akira87

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junglizt1210

In a way, I'm quite happy sourcing out rare phones to use, and usually quite happy to pay the associated price for them (newer imports often aren't that cheap, but then you buy exclusitivity, gimmicky features and quality over normal features, commoness and a ease of use)

Until 4G comes along, I will happily continue buying Japanese phones. Even when 4G comes along, I get the feeling I'll still be buying imports.

imports tend to retain value over time

Posted by: AL9999

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akira87

they were gnna release 1 phone with 3G but it got cancelled

Yes, the 705P, it was going to be called the VS70 and released worldwide, before they got cold feet and canned their worldwide business entirely.

Posted by: Akira87

Quote:

Originally Posted by AL9999

Yes, the 705P, it was going to be called the VS70 and released worldwide, before they got cold feet and canned their worldwide business entirely.

actually it was called the Z800

http://www.gsmarena.com/panasonic_z800-912.php

, but you were right, i wouldve said the same, but the Z800 jst popped back in my mind lol

Posted by: AL9999

LOL that ancient prototype. I completely forgot about it

But yeah, FCC documents pointed to the 705P being slated for dual Japan/worldwide release, but the VS70 never eventuated... only the 705P.

Posted by: aw614

Quote:

Originally Posted by AL9999

LOL that ancient prototype. I completely forgot about it

But yeah, FCC documents pointed to the 705P being slated for dual Japan/worldwide release, but the VS70 never eventuated... only the 705P.

was vodafone supposed to get a 705p varient or was it announced before the softbank rebranding began?

Posted by: Junglizt1210

No you're both right, both Z800 and VS70 were phones that never made it through.

Posted by: AL9999

Thanks for the confirmation Junglizt

705P was always a Softbank phone, it was announced days before the Softbank rebranding was due to take effect. I'm sure that if its worldwide release had gone ahead, Vodafone would have gotten a rebranded version but there still would've been a non-branded one too.

Posted by: Akira87

Quote:

Originally Posted by AL9999

Thanks for the confirmation Junglizt

yeah, im curious of there were any vodafone ones, but thats jst silly, but if i only knew this sooner, then i wudve jumped and bought a 705p on panas website