Does US Verizon work in Japan?
Sep 24, 2008 | 9:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Does US Verizon work in Japan?
Hello,
My mother uses US Verizon cell service. Can she use this in Japan? If so, what (if anything) does she need to do to activate it?
Thanks,
Michael
My mother uses US Verizon cell service. Can she use this in Japan? If so, what (if anything) does she need to do to activate it?
Thanks,
Michael
Sep 25, 2008 | 2:18 am
#6
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kcvt750 has shared his wonderful sense of humour on this forum on many occasions and his advice and opinions (once sifted through the irony detector) have always been accurate and, often, enlightening (on a few levels).
I doubt his experience of VZW coverage is anything but truthful. Nothing 'potty' about his comments at all, your post on the other hand...
I doubt his experience of VZW coverage is anything but truthful. Nothing 'potty' about his comments at all, your post on the other hand...
Sep 25, 2008 | 8:57 am
#9
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No, not even the global BlackBerry. I don't think any US cell phones work in Japan - they use different frequencies even on networks with the same basic technology.
Sep 25, 2008 | 9:27 am
#10
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There is a UMTS BB 8707 that do work in Japan. The BB 8830/8330 used by Verizon are CDMA+GSM so they don't work. I am using a Sprint 8830 while in the U.S. so I use either a local phone or an UMTS phone for roaming while in Japan.
Sep 25, 2008 | 11:14 am
#11
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The only alternative is to rent a cell phone. It used to be possible for visitors to buy a prepaid cell phone, which is cheaper than renting for a long stay, but this is no longer possible unless you can find a dealer who is willing to bend the rules.
You can get American cell phones that work in Europe and most Asian countries outside of Japan, but not in Japan itself. This is frustrating for those of us whose travels take us to Japan a lot.
I've HEARD that iPhones work in Japan, but I'm not sure if these are American iPhones or whether Apple has made a special version for the Japanese market.
You can get American cell phones that work in Europe and most Asian countries outside of Japan, but not in Japan itself. This is frustrating for those of us whose travels take us to Japan a lot.
I've HEARD that iPhones work in Japan, but I'm not sure if these are American iPhones or whether Apple has made a special version for the Japanese market.
Sep 25, 2008 | 11:27 am
#12
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My Nokia e90, which I use with T-Mobile's GSM network here in the USA, works in Japan. It includes UMTS (2100 MHz) capability. Your cellular provider also has to have a roaming agreement with a Japanese provider.
Korea is the other Asian "problem country" for U.S. travelers who want to use their cell phones.
Korea is the other Asian "problem country" for U.S. travelers who want to use their cell phones.
Sep 25, 2008 | 12:02 pm
#13
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Edited to add: So I spoke to AT&T Customer Care (if anyone else is curious). The iPhone 3G does work in Japan, but not the original iPhone.
Last edited by geckoflyer; Sep 25, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Sep 25, 2008 | 6:07 pm
#15
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http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Glo...vel/index.html
So even if one has a Verizon SIM for roaming outside the U.S., it won't work in Japan.
They have a rental program.
http://www.vzwrentinternational.com/
This one may be for outgoing calls only without "follow me" roaming.
So even if one has a Verizon SIM for roaming outside the U.S., it won't work in Japan.
They have a rental program.
http://www.vzwrentinternational.com/
This one may be for outgoing calls only without "follow me" roaming.