vB Easy Archive - NTT Docomo Phones Compatible on NA Networks?

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NTT Docomo Phones Compatible on NA Networks?
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Posted by: ImPoRt_TuNeR

Sorry I'm asking a questions like this, but I'm getting a bit curious about this topic.

Awhile ago I was considering a phone and was thinking about a Docomo. However I researched a bit and found that the cell phone networks in Japan are pretty different compared to NA networks and that the phones wouldn't work. Also Docomo phones require a special card which is used only in Japan. After awhile I decided to just get a regular phone and now I have my current phone (E398).

Now my friend wants to get a Docomo phone, but if I remember correctly, that's not possible.... or is it? I've read of how people were able to flash their phone's ROM and the SD Sim Card and got it to work on the NA/ out of Japan countries. I'm curious about a place who would be able to do this. Anyone have any luck or heard anyone unlocking one of these Japanese phones and used them normally on the NA networks? I still have my doubts, but it'd be nice if they could work.

Once again sorry for the n00bish question, this just aroused my curiousity again. Thanks

PS: To be a bit more precise, I was considering the 900i series or something of the sort.

Posted by: Ver2

Japan phones are Japan only. They are W-CDMA2100 only. The 900i series is FOMA which is similar to W-CDMA but its like a mutated breed of it. They require a DoCoMo specific U-SIM card. They are the exact same size as a standard sim card but are much larger in capacity. If you really want a Japanese phone look into AU. Their phones can be activated on Sprint and Verizon as they are CDMA 1X RTT.

Posted by: ImPoRt_TuNeR

Sweet thanks for the info. I thought that it was something along those lines, but not sure what exactly. That brings up some past info.

About the AU phones, they only work on CDMA? What about GSM? Oh well, I'll look into it some more, nothing like a little research.

So I guess the comments about Docomo phones being usable outside of Japan is false? Shame really..... there's no way of using it at all? Oh well, it can't be helped. By the way, what would be the website for AU? Sorry for the trouble, I just can't seem to find it, I'll try and look some more right now.

More info would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

Posted by: meringue4

Read this
http://euc.jp/misc/cellphones.en.html

Posted by: ImPoRt_TuNeR

Awesome post, explains a lot. Thanks! Oh well.....