vB Easy Archive - Can Japanese phones work in the U.S. ?

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Can Japanese phones work in the U.S. ?
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Posted by: bruce02

There are some really nice Japanese phones out there. Was wondering if this was possible.

Posted by: braindead5400

sadly, no

Posted by: bruce02

That sucks. The phones over here are terrible. Are there any phones from europe or anywhere else that can work here?

Posted by: Synncere

Quote:

Originally posted by bruce02
That sucks. The phones over here are terrible. Are there any phones from europe or anywhere else that can work here?

If they are unlocked and are triband or quadband then yes a fone from europe will work.

Posted by: bruce02

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but how come some phones from Europe would work, but ones from Japan wouldn't?

Posted by: braindead5400

Japan doesn't use GSM networks like Europe US and basically the rest of the world. I know they have a network called FOMA and I think there is another one that they use that no one else does

Posted by: BabyPimpin

I believe japan has also begun using 3G as well...which we have no support for...although Hong Kong has also begun using it..

Quote:

Originally posted by braindead5400
Japan doesn't use GSM networks like Europe US and basically the rest of the world. I know they have a network called FOMA and I think there is another one that they use that no one else does

Posted by: Iagner

Yeah HK has started 3G network already, The company is called "3" The phones are terrible cheap and way too bulky. And also monthly tarrif plans are all too expensive. But ther phones video conferencing is kinda fast for something coming outta a phone. ^^

Posted by: BabyPimpin

yeah the 3G fones are pretty ugly there..however the NEC flip phones are only a tad bigger than the GX30/32....i kinda like the black NEC one too...heh...cheap too

Posted by: Iagner

Actually the current phones that supply "3" are all NEC phones, I wonder if when other companies will provide their brands for 3, at least more choices to choose from.

Posted by: nskgti23

Sony Ericsson also provides most of NTT DoCoMo's phones in Japan. They run on UMTS, but it isn't even the same UMTS as Europe. I believe it is called Release 99 or Series 99.

Posted by: littleasian

intead of getin a phone outa japan..why dont u try a different part of asia like Taiwan? Taiwan doesn't use the FOMA network i believe...and the phones there are 2x better than ours (though maybe not up to date as the japanese phones). For example..my cousin got a panasonic x70 about 1 1/2 years ago in taiwan when it came out..he brought it over to the us and had ATT Wireless plan put on it..and it works fine.

most phones that sell in taiwan also have an english option too...so converting wouldn't be so difficult.

Posted by: New Beetle

Quote:

Originally posted by Iagner
Actually the current phones that supply "3" are all NEC phones, I wonder if when other companies will provide their brands for 3, at least more choices to choose from.

Well actually the UK had 3G quite a while before hong Kong. '3' UK have lots more than just NEC. We have the Nokia 7600, the Moto A835, the Moto A925 and the LG 8110 plus the rubbish NEC's. They are all free and '3' UK offer the best value monthly plans by far.

Posted by: Blazers4ever

Vodafone KK's (formerly known as J-Phone) W-CDMA network is compatible with Voda's European 3G network and vice-versa. But DoCoMo's W-CDMA network (FOMA) is not (it might in the future though). J-Phone/DoCoMo/Tuka's 2.5 PDC network runs at 800/1500mhz and is not compatible with any networks outside of Japan. Au's CDMA network is compatible with several countries including the U.S. and Canada.

The V801SA and V801SH are the first Japanese 3G/GSM hybrids that work in N.A.

Posted by: bruce02

Blazers, dont those 3G/GSM hybrids use USIM cards though? Would it be possible to use a regular SIM in those?

Posted by: Blazers4ever

Unfortunately those suckers are locked to Vodafone KK. Hopefully someday someone will figure out how to unlock them, just like they did for the NEC 515/525.

Posted by: nomis_nehc

i am wondering the price of the V801SH... i am gonna be going to japan in two weeks and that info would be useful to know.

Posted by: harrytse

Quote:

Originally posted by nomis_nehc
i am wondering the price of the V801SH... i am gonna be going to japan in two weeks and that info would be useful to know.

The Japanese make it policy to keep their technology Japanese, it may be triple band, but will be designed for use for International Roaming, with J-Phone, plus Japanese phones comes with contracts.