How to smartphone roam in Japan?
Feb 5, 2019, 2:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: Southwest, Hilton
Posts: 896
How to smartphone roam in Japan?
Whenever I travel, I always get screwed by At&T. Is there a way to use my smartphone while in Japan and not get charged for roaming. Should I buy a SIM card? New phone. Need to text home and like to roam locally. Many thanks.
Feb 5, 2019, 2:45 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,993
Feb 5, 2019, 4:03 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
I know it is horribly old fashioned but I always keep in touch with home via e-mail. Virtually every hotel has free wi-fi. I can attach photos and write fairly long messages in an e-mail. My *%@#$#$ phone stays turned off and in my bag until on the way home.
Feb 5, 2019, 4:34 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MEL
Posts: 2,441
If it's just you (no travelling companions) and a single phone, then a prepaid data sim may be the way to go ..... alternatively, consider renting a mobile wifi unit - try iVideo. You can order it ahead of time, pick it up at the airport (either the post office or a convenience store, depending on what time you arrive) and they provide an envelope for you to just drop it in the mail when you leave.
Feb 6, 2019, 8:24 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
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.
Feb 7, 2019, 10:56 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
10 a day?
a sim for japan cost me 10usd in HKG (Nippon sim running on IIJ) and it would last me for 7/8 days with 3gb at 4G speeds. (add: 200kbps after- not the worst in life)
(Gotta go to some mobile phone gadget area in HK to get those) but i dont think 30USD for a 1 week trip would constitute as breaking the bank
a sim for japan cost me 10usd in HKG (Nippon sim running on IIJ) and it would last me for 7/8 days with 3gb at 4G speeds. (add: 200kbps after- not the worst in life)
(Gotta go to some mobile phone gadget area in HK to get those) but i dont think 30USD for a 1 week trip would constitute as breaking the bank
Last edited by kaka; Feb 7, 2019 at 4:47 pm
Feb 7, 2019, 2:46 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,008
Also used Skype to call hotels in Japan when I would be arriving late due to flight or traffic delays, or when I needed pick up from the ryokan or car rental agency. Costs pennies a minute.
Feb 7, 2019, 7:56 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 29
If you have access to WiFi, there’s no need for using a third party app like Skype if you have WiFi Calling activated on your phone. That way you can use your phone for calls/texts without roaming. That said, any phone calls to Japan numbers will be treated as international calls.
Feb 7, 2019, 8:56 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
Change to tmo on a plan that has free roaming 
?
In addition to the suggestions for calling on wifi, skype - for using maps, texts, etc - since you said ATT gets you I would guess you need international roaming more than this one time
?In addition to the suggestions for calling on wifi, skype - for using maps, texts, etc - since you said ATT gets you I would guess you need international roaming more than this one time
Feb 9, 2019, 11:59 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,377
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)