evergrn

We all used to travel that way and, if you can still do that, more power to you.
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).

estnet

First of all, once a phone is unlocked it stays unlocked - you can do this any time not just right before a trip.
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

kaka

mphall

estnet

google fi has LOTS of issues with "compatible" phones so if u don't have a pixel you may have issues that those with pixels do not have!

evergrn

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).

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?

nutwpinut

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.

evergrn

do you have iPhone or android?

ksandness

That can really get you in trouble if you, say, use your phone for Google maps while looking for a client's office and then forget to turn off data. (Voice of experience) I normally just use the hotel's wi-fi, and, if I need to consult maps that my city atlases don't cover while I'm out and about, I take advantage of Starbucks' free wi-fi. (There's always a Starbucks nearby in the larger cities.) The only disadvantage of Starbucks free wi-fi is that you have to sign up for it from some place that isn't a Starbucks. I used my hotel's wi-fi when I signed up and have not had any problems since.

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.

beep88

The unlock is permanent. I can't imagine any disadvantage for an unlocked phone.

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.

rustykettel

Yeah, $10/day unexpectedly can bite, but better than straight roaming without that on an account.

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.

mphall

My phone is unlocked and I want to do data roaming in Japan. I don't want to call anyone just text. Any cheap way to do this?

mphall

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.

estnet

Did you mean data instead of wifi?
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)

Steve M

If by "text" you mean SMS, then you've asked two different questions. Even if you don't place or receive voice calls, SMS uses the voice portion of wireless service, not data. So, you need more than a "data only" SIM. However, if by "text" you mean installed apps, or possibly iMessage between iOS devices, then that's just data.

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.