How to smartphone roam in Japan?
#16
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
I've become too dependent on Google Map, Skype, Yahoo Transit and Tabelog, plus you need to look stuff up before you buy something. When I'm in Jpn or HKG, it's hard to go anywhere without my wife since I don't have her phone (which has Jpn roaming; mine doesn't).
#17
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
I have Iphone through AT&T (US), plan paid for through work. No international roaming except in Canada. Unlocking SIM sounds extremely cumbersome... I'm not sure if I remember correctly, but I think AT&T told me they're not sure if my SIM can be unlocked but that I'd have to submit unlock request at least 3 days prior and then they'll decide if they'll allow the unlock. I don't have time to be messing around with stuff like that right before the trip.
As I understand it, my only option then is pocket wifi. Is that correct? But I can't be bothered with arranging for that ahead of time and having to pick it up, etc. So I just use my wife's Sprint phone which has free roaming in Jpn and HKG. But she doesn't like us sharing her device. Plus even though it's always showing as 3G, the connection is spotty... sometimes really fast, other times really sucks.
In terms of US wireless carriers, is Sprint the best carrier for free roaming in Jpn? (I'm admittedly quite ignorant about US cell phone system since I've always had someone else sign me up)
As I understand it, my only option then is pocket wifi. Is that correct? But I can't be bothered with arranging for that ahead of time and having to pick it up, etc. So I just use my wife's Sprint phone which has free roaming in Jpn and HKG. But she doesn't like us sharing her device. Plus even though it's always showing as 3G, the connection is spotty... sometimes really fast, other times really sucks.
In terms of US wireless carriers, is Sprint the best carrier for free roaming in Jpn? (I'm admittedly quite ignorant about US cell phone system since I've always had someone else sign me up)
Second the unlock process is pretty easy - usually the carrier just does it or tells you to type something in on your phone - really not a big deal
When I used tmo in Japan (free roaming) it was blazingly fast (Tokyo and osaka) - there was no special being advertised so I don't know if I was just lucky or that's the way it alway is (WAYYYYY faster than any other country I've roamed with them)
I found tmo customer service to be much better than Sprint - but it worked well in Japan - I had each service at different times
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: Southwest, Hilton
Posts: 896
Att
Submit unlock request thru website but wrote down confirmation number. If you owe nothing on phone they should unlock it. Only thing they have ever done for me without a fee.
I have Iphone through AT&T (US), plan paid for through work. No international roaming except in Canada. Unlocking SIM sounds extremely cumbersome... I'm not sure if I remember correctly, but I think AT&T told me they're not sure if my SIM can be unlocked but that I'd have to submit unlock request at least 3 days prior and then they'll decide if they'll allow the unlock. I don't have time to be messing around with stuff like that right before the trip.
As I understand it, my only option then is pocket wifi. Is that correct? But I can't be bothered with arranging for that ahead of time and having to pick it up, etc. So I just use my wife's Sprint phone which has free roaming in Jpn and HKG. But she doesn't like us sharing her device. Plus even though it's always showing as 3G, the connection is spotty... sometimes really fast, other times really sucks.
In terms of US wireless carriers, is Sprint the best carrier for free roaming in Jpn? (I'm admittedly quite ignorant about US cell phone system since I've always had someone else sign me up)
As I understand it, my only option then is pocket wifi. Is that correct? But I can't be bothered with arranging for that ahead of time and having to pick it up, etc. So I just use my wife's Sprint phone which has free roaming in Jpn and HKG. But she doesn't like us sharing her device. Plus even though it's always showing as 3G, the connection is spotty... sometimes really fast, other times really sucks.
In terms of US wireless carriers, is Sprint the best carrier for free roaming in Jpn? (I'm admittedly quite ignorant about US cell phone system since I've always had someone else sign me up)
Last edited by armagebedar; Feb 12, 2019 at 10:53 pm Reason: fixed broken quote
#20
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
google fi works reasonably in japan afaik. @ryandc99 care to comment?
#21
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
With regards to Google Fi, it sounds like it'll work with iPhone 6 but there are various caveats. Plus it sounds like I'll still need to unlock my phone, hence running into the same issue as above. What are people's experiences with Google Fi in Jpn on iPhone?
#22
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AA PP 1.8MM, PC Spire, Hertz 5*, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,030
Google Fi is great! My wife and I have been using it for 7 months in Japan. The first 2 months was semi-terrible, had to turn on airplane mode then turn it off sometimes when switching towers, but I haven't done that in almost 6 months since an update went through. The speed is great, but slows down a lot when there is a big crowd that is not normal. At some of the larger events we have gone, we notice a sharp decline in speed as we compete with those who have a local phone that gets priority. "Normal crowds" like on the train don't affect the speed that much.
We've also had good results with Google Fi in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia Airport, and Indonesia Airport.
We've also had good results with Google Fi in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia Airport, and Indonesia Airport.
#24
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
Do you have International Day Pass turned on?
https://www.att.com/offers/internati.../day-pass.html
I wouldn't use it for a longer trip, but it can be cheaper than a SIM for a short one. Certainly more convenient, and less than regular roaming.
https://www.att.com/offers/internati.../day-pass.html
I wouldn't use it for a longer trip, but it can be cheaper than a SIM for a short one. Certainly more convenient, and less than regular roaming.
I have never rented a pocket wi-fi, but I may do so in the future.
It used to be possible for foreign visitors to buy a pre-paid phone, but it no longer is. Something about criminals using them. (I guess there are no criminals with Japanese citizenship or who are in one of the legal residence categories--student, worker, dependent, etc.) It sure was nice while it lasted, though. US$60 for a phone and enough minutes to keep the average person happy for two weeks.
#25
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,008
So you just request the unlock once, and then my iPhone can stay unlocked forever whether I'm in Jpn/HKG or back in US, whether I have a foreign SIM or the original SIM reinserted? Is there any disadvantage to a perpetually unlocked phone? When I talked to the AT&T rep a couple years ago, they made it seem like unlocking might be possible but not simple either given the type of account I have (paid for through my employer).
For iPhone, carrier sends request to Apple to "turn off" the lock. Every time you swap a SIM with your iPhone, the phone connects to Apple server to check for lock status.
For other phones, carrier gives you an unlock code (a series of digits) you enter on your phone.
#26
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
Before VZW's version was available in Japan on our first trip, I parked my wife and went to get cash and bus tickets and a couple other things. Walking back, I start getting emails from VZW (connected via HND's wifi) that I had roaming charges. $90 later I reach my wife who innocently turned off airplane mode and started surfing while waiting for me. Live and learn.
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: Southwest, Hilton
Posts: 896
I have used all the wifi I care to in Seville and when it came time to buy tickets for some attraction, I totalled up a lot of dollars trying to access my ticket. There must be a cheaper way in other countries. I would love to tell ATT adios as they have been awful the last few years.
#29
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
I have used all the wifi I care to in Seville and when it came time to buy tickets for some attraction, I totalled up a lot of dollars trying to access my ticket. There must be a cheaper way in other countries. I would love to tell ATT adios as they have been awful the last few years.
tmobile????, buy a local sim, google fi (altho my experience with them has been dreadful if there are any problems they are cheap), sprint (also horrible customer support)
#30
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,969
As far as what service to use, if you have US-based T-Mobile or Sprint service, then you don't need anything: your existing SIM will roam in Japan and give you free SMS and free low-speed data, which is fine for messaging. If those don't apply to you, then someone else might have advice.