Can global version of GSII run on softbank and use their ultra speed?

**tak.japan** · 02-13-2012, 08:40 PM

I'm currently with docomo using galaxy s 2 (global version, not docomo's), but I've been getting too horrible services, and I'm thinking of switching to softbank. But my understanding is that they don't have 800mhz, so I don't really know if my GS2 will work.
Can someone advise whether the phone will work?

**martindesu** · 02-13-2012, 08:58 PM

I think it will work, but won't you have to pay tethering charges? i.e. massive costs per month?

**qwerty1235** · 02-13-2012, 11:01 PM

According to Wikipedia, SoftBank uses 1500/2100 MHz. Not sure what the 1500 MHz is for, but the iPhone certainly doesn't support 1500 MHz so as long as you have 2100 MHz, you should be fine.

**Kyoex** · 02-13-2012, 11:23 PM

It should be fine, but why are you getting horrible service with docomo? Do you mean service as in your calls are dropping / data is not transmitting? Or do you mean just customer service? Because from my experience docomo has the best coverage / call quality / fastest speeds and I have contracts on all 3 networks.

**martindesu** · 02-14-2012, 12:34 AM

KyoEx is correct. Docomo tend to have the best in all regards, except for English support

**yamanote** · 02-14-2012, 12:50 AM

I ran my GT-i9100 (International Galaxy S II) on the SoftBank network with absolutely no issues. Had great signal in Tokyo. Not sure about using high-speed 3G (HSPA+) though because I only used my pocket WiFi.

The reason it works is because both the GSII and SoftBank use 2100 3G.

**tak.japan** · 02-14-2012, 01:32 AM

Originally Posted by Kyoex

It should be fine, but why are you getting horrible service with docomo? Do you mean service as in your calls are dropping / data is not transmitting? Or do you mean just customer service? Because from my experience docomo has the best coverage / call quality / fastest speeds and I have contracts on all 3 networks.

I meant quality of customer service. I signed up to their plan on the 29th of January, and I got charged for the entire month of data. I was not told that I would get daily charges (ex:y5,000/31*3). I called with impression that they would just waived, they insisted that there is nothing they can do, and should go to docomo shop to complain. I asked if the shop could reverse the charge, the representative said no.

She was very apologetic, yet she wouldn't do anything. I've never had an experience like this. the customer service representative would say sorry, but not do anything!

I'm really thinking about switching to softbank, and I heard they have ultraspeed. So I wanted to ask whether global GS2 will work with softbank.

**tak.japan** · 02-14-2012, 01:39 AM

It's good to know that the device works. can someone confirm that it actually works on their ultra-speed network? (HSPA+)?

**Kyoex** · 02-14-2012, 03:15 AM

yeah right now thought softbank only has 3-4 phones on the ultraspeed network and honestly...its not that ultra speedy

I tried it out on the lumix phone from softbank against the regular 3G from Docomo and it was maybe 1-2sec faster...at best

Well Im sorry to hear about your bad customer service with docomo, I never had any issues with them and I get more **** from softbank and AU, since they don't offer to help me at all and always give me dirty looks at the shop I go to

I guess its because I have personal relationships with the docomo managers in Kyoto that I get the best service.

I even had a phone short out on me, and it was probably my fault since I had a power surge and the phone just died, but I took it into docomo and they gave me a brand new replacement immediately and I didn't even have insurance on the phone :P

**martindesu** · 02-14-2012, 03:17 AM

Originally Posted by tak.japan

She was very apologetic, yet she wouldn't do anything. I've never had an experience like this. the customer service representative would say sorry, but not do anything!

How long have you been in Japan? This is typical Japanese style. You are just supposed to take it.

**Habbitty** · 02-14-2012, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by tak.japan

I'm currently with docomo using galaxy s 2 (global version, not docomo's), but I've been getting too horrible services, and I'm thinking of switching to softbank. But my understanding is that they don't have 800mhz, so I don't really know if my GS2 will work.
Can someone advise whether the phone will work?

How did you get docomo to give you a SIM card to work on their network?

Originally Posted by yamanote

I ran my GT-i9100 (International Galaxy S II) on the SoftBank network with absolutely no issues. Had great signal in Tokyo. Not sure about using high-speed 3G (HSPA+) though because I only used my pocket WiFi.

The reason it works is because both the GSII and SoftBank use 2100 3G.

Same question for you, how were you able to get a SoftBank SIM card to put into your Galaxy S II? I'm moving to Japan in May and the reason I ask is because I'm interested in buying the AT&T Skyrocket HD when it becomes available and using it on SoftBank's network when I get over there.

**yamanote** · 02-14-2012, 08:44 AM

Rental simcard from an airport counter. I tried a prepaid card as well and that worked too.

If they won't let you just get a plan without a phone, get a cheap SoftBank phone from akiba, activate it on the plan you want then pop it into your Skyrocket.

**Habbitty** · 02-14-2012, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by yamanote

Rental simcard from an airport counter. I tried a prepaid card as well and that worked too.

If they won't let you just get a plan without a phone, get a cheap SoftBank phone from akiba, activate it on the plan you want then pop it into your Skyrocket.

Right now my contract is only for a year, but I'm expecting to do a good enough job that they'll ask me to come back for a second year, so I'm more interested in the two-year contracts. Which data plan did you opt for?

**patrixl** · 02-14-2012, 05:32 PM

AFAIK DoCoMo has started selling SIM cards+plans without selling phones, at the same time they started unlocking phones. Their whole plan was to get iPhone users to switch to DoCoMo with unlocked iPhones, but then they forgot that unlocked phones or phones not controlled by DoCoMo have tethering, meaning extra fees per month for the data plan, so they didn't get many switchers.

I think SoftBank sells SIMs/plans without phones now, too? I thought I had read that news somewhere...

**patrixl** · 02-14-2012, 05:34 PM

But tell me one thing, is the SkyRocket HD Waterproof? Does it use infrared to share pics/contact info with other people? Does it have oneseg? Is it compatible with mobile Suica so you can conveniently just swipe your phone to enter/exit the train system or buy stuff at convenience stores? How about selecting the meal you want at McDonalds then just swiping your phone on their card reader so you don't even need to talk to the staff (just need to read Japanese LOL ) ? etc etc etc...