Japan Mobile
Our iPhone 3GS turned out to be cheaper than we thought. Not only did we pay nothing for it (we do pay about 6,000 yen for unlimited net usage per month though), Softbank also sent us 20,000 yen worth of gift vouchers than can be used at most retail stores across Japan. *And* we get to use all Yahoo mobile hotspots for free. The best thing is that most of the people I know use Softbank meaning that calls from 1AM through to 9PM are free.
If you are moving to Japan then I recommend Softbank. Tried AU and Docomo previously. Docomo was expensive while AU had crap phones.
Folks in Japan who recently got an iPhone 3GS should have filled out some form online to get the vouchers - instructions came with the phone.
If you are interested in reading about life in Japan, seeing photos taken daily around Tokyo, like Japanese subculture (anime, manga, figures, Dollfies) then you may want to start delving into the Japan or Figure categories for a start or have a gander at all photo articles.
If you don't have much time now, maybe subscribe to the RSS Feed, Twitter Feed or join the other readers in the FaceBook Page.
Alternatively, you may want to read more about the site.
If you are a regular reader then this message will probably annoy you each time - hide it forever.
-Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
Part-Time Blogger of Moderately Useless Jibberish
http://www.k-jessop.co.uk
That.. That's a lot of gift vouchers..
Studnet
man that way better than what we can ever get here in New Zealand.
vodafone is the only ones selling them and there charging $200 for them and you get stuck on a 24 month contract (that has crappy plans) that will end up making you paying $6000 by the end of it.
this is what happen when there is no competition and the carriers just monopolize and the people all get raped by them as there the only ones offering.
*sigh* wish i was somewhere eles
Software Engineer, Hoppyist in ACG, and BJDs
http://acgd.wordpress.com
You didn't mention the ridiculously small data quote you get for the $200.
University Student; BA Japanese, BCA Marketing
Sux aye. iPhone+Vodafone NZ = sucks balls.
Telecom's no better.
We get ripped for anything communications; Internet, Mobile, Phone, Wireless Hotspots (what hotspots?)
I want one, but its just not worth it.
Oriental Blogger
http://www.orienthq.com
That is very true... Telecome NZ should get their act together and offer some competitive 3GS too - -
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
Be assured, at least, by the fact that Canadians have it worse. Carrier monopoly holds true here as well, and we also get charged $200 for an iPhone...except that ours are 36 month contracts. You do the math.
Programmer
Yeah, the evils of Rogers and Bell's oligopoly in Toronto just pisses me off sometimes, with carrier lockins of the phones and just crappy speeds due to throttles. Then again, I became decently happy with Rogers when I moved to New Zealand - the speeds down here are just bad and none of the mobile plans appeal to me at all. They offer such pitiful data rates for too much money per month, and not even an unlimited data plan.
Programmer
Oh yeah, as an aside I couldn't meet up with you in Hong Kong, I was indeed too busy -_-.
Certified Trouble Maker, Part-Time Otaku
http://picasaweb.google.com/adi.widyatmoko?feat=email
i used softbank right now, and last time, i got 5 thousand worth of voucher. seeing you get 20.000 makes me want to change my gear to iphone...look like that i got an iphone-mac-apple virus from you danny :D
Blue Suit Sapien with White Helmet
http://conrad501.wordpress.com/
"sigh"...not much i can do about my mobile service provider...plus i make a lot of international calls so it just part of my monthly hassles to settle...:(
Pre-U Student
http://wakuwakusuru.zeroclipse.net
"Calls from 1AM through to 9PM are free"??!! ∑(O_O；)
What's the normal rate for calls there? I am curious to know.
Student Pilot
http://sanctuarystation.wordpress.com/
Wow. That is really a lot of gift voucher! Enough to completely surround Rin! >.<
Over here, the iPhone 3GS is extremely expensive! Will not be able to afford one. ToT
Rin looks really happy with all those vouchers around her. ^^,
student
http://sweetpan.wordpress.com/
I'm using Docomo e_e
Network Infrastructure Architect/Programmer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allimpulse/
If I'm in Tokyo for two weeks can I get a softbank phone prepaid?
usmc
yeah, it will probably cost like $100 depending on how many minutes you get
Programmer
I just rented a phone for two weeks at ~￥6000 at Kansai Airport. You also get the privilege to pay ￥150 / minute of outgoing call but at least incoming is free. No idea what I was thinking.
IT Manager
http://thumbnail-of-life.blogspot.com/
as much as I want iPhone, the Softbank's network coverage doesn't reach my workplace. :(
having two phone is troublesome so I will stick with AU for a while.
Student
http://www.lesterho.com
I have changed from AU to Softbank Iphone 3GS but I haven't recieve that kind of voucher yet. ^^;;
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
Wow! That's a very nice deal package~~~
studying comp studies, dreamer but not really diligent ('~`)
http://bruneian-otaku.blogspot.com
ooh.. tips from Danny ^^
You should see the iphone 3G/3Gs plans here in singapore...totally sucks to the core. :( :(
student
http://zephi-san.deviantart.com/
What a great plan. Free calls between 1am to 9pm.. That is so cool.... My phone plan has cheaper calls after 8pm, only charges connection fee, and can call up to 10 minutes.
Internet usage is like crap all, saw some plans which gave as low as 20mb a month, under a 24 month contract.
Another thing is 3G is so slow!
Programmer
3G is actually fast, it's probably Telstra screwing it up for everyone in Oz... -_-. Man, 20mb with a 24 month contract, they do that with a straight face?!
Idiot sitting next to a radiator
http://www.sekaikun.wordpress.com
Wow thats alot of vouchers...
Wonder if you can buy any anime goods ^^
Student, Uncle & hopfully a good husband..
That's...just too good...so many discounts...
Shooting EM beams onto stuff and checking to see what comes out.
http://kikenshisou.wordpress.com
6000yen unlimited data! My provider here caps it at 2Gb for a similar priced plan orz
Student
http://lordofgundams.blogspot.com/
A lot of vouchers for some good spending.
http://darkdam.deviantart.com/
wow thats a lot of voucher money you got, that's from a prize or their generosity?
高校生
http://stickymochi.blogspot.com
Haha Rin's very happy about the $$.
Softbank certainly sounds like a great provider... haha mine sucks (no signal in my own school ._.)
Otaku/Illustrator/Mangaka
http://www.bloglines.com/blog/Kyukun
thats sweet. hopefully i find a deal like this
Student, All-Rounder and Dealer's Room Bishie.
I'm curious... If we have an iphone G3 from USA and went to Japan, can we just get a Japanese Sim card to use instead of buying a whole new iphone? Or is it because the hardware itself in the Japanese iphone is different?
Student
http://johndiew0107.wordpress.com/
wow... it owns
Dirty Gentleman
http://cantstanzya.wordpress.com/
Hot damn! Only thing my cell phone provider gives me is a bill.
Student, part-time worker
"while AU had crap phones" O_________________O Lies. *dodges bullets*
Okay, maybe it's just recently that they got some awesome phones..? I keep seeing them and wanting them really badly.
Software Consultant
http://kamlau.com
What a way to get delighted customers! Here in Canada, we have to pay for the phone ($200+ depends on model). There you get 20,000 yen back!! The difference is ~40,000 yen if you think about it.
Student
http://anime.tedfox.com/
it wouldn't be long before phone carriers adopt the free of charge call rates for customers of the same carrier. at least, i hope it wouldn't be long...
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/
Eh? 1 AM to 9 PM is free? Interesting perks. I only get free unlimited calling from 7 pm to 6 am.
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
He's referring to people he calls on Softbank - it's free network calling, which Rogers offered until just awhile ago.
College Freshmen
I think it's much more expensive here although I don't know since I don't have one. I'm not sure I want one if I need to buy the plan since colleges have free WiFi.
still trying to figure it out...
http://pipopaz.wordpress.com/
that is quite awesome! i'll get one when i move to live in japan ^^
???Confused???
If I ever live in Japan for a while...that's one of the first things I'll do...
The iPhone is actually the #1 because this phone have big advertising campaign and the Softbank is pretty popular in this year. The KDDI mobile phones is not crappy. Just 2GB SD card compatibility in older au phones (au summer collection support SDHC), but they have interesting features (3D screen, HD video capture, yeah they all from Hitachi). In 2010, the LTE coming, to Japan so the wifi does not matter so long.
Time Traveller/High School Student
http://thetsundere.wordpress.com/
Sheesh I've never heard of anything like that within Australia.
College student
/sigh no great deals like that in the states v-v;..
Tech Support Officer - Network Security Engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/
i'm still one of those people who use a phone JUST to call and txt/sms
well, mainly because services in AUST suck to even bother with them
website/graphic designer and karaoke amateur~
http://www.furudango.com
Me too, not worth getting a contract since I only spend about $10au a month on average.
Graphic Designer
uwa... we don't a cent back for buying a iPhone here in the states. Curse you iPhone for being so attractive!
Otaku / Student in Networking
http://hayasaki-kun.blogspot.com/
Awesome ^^
Comic Shop Owner
sure rub it in, danny. XP
Lazy Gamer at home
http://www.espadakiller.wordpress.com
There's only free incoming calls in Singapore...there are plans that has free outgoing calls, but it's really expensive =/
Dental Technician, i make teeth!
http://antsizedman.blogspot.com/
Thats is a good deal, course im getting screwed at £45 a month.
step to step drivers collaudator
I bought a softbank rechargeble Samsung 707SCII when i were in Japan.The price for the calls was a little high but for only 300 yen/month i had infinity mail to send.Very very usefull.
Here in italy the price for an iphone is very very high (600 euro), but you can have it for a lower price if you pay 30 euro per month for many minutes of call, sms, and 10 giga for internet connection.The contract is for 24 months.
http://otakuposts.blogspot.com/
iphone plans start here at usd 700+. plus the data plans for the iphones are at about usd 10 per month. and the only things we get in return are bigger bills. nothing is free. no vouchers etc.
Thermoplastic Engineer
http://aaroninjapan09.wordpress.com
I dunno Danny, you seem to have a lot of business connections with Softbank and the iphone. Is your opinion that Softbank is better than the others really a neutral and fair opinion?
That said, I am a docomo customer and I do feel that docomo is a little better.
Student
so Softbank for me i guess XP
usmc
I paid $570 for it with softbank =(
Student, Performer
http://kesenaitsumi89.wordpress.com/
wow... I only got 5,000 yen' voucher...
Web programmer
http://www.micky2be.com
How to get the voucher???
Therapist / Computer Science Student
The area i live in is fairly rural. Until about 2 years ago, the only wireless phone service was analog. Yeah, you heard me. They have pretty much finished upgrading to digital service, but we don't have anything like 3G. One would have to travel for around 5 hours to get to the nearest 3G network. Few people (if any) around here have an iPhone simply because they would not be able to use it to its full potential.
To my knowledge, the only hotspots are in a couple of sandwich shops in town. Also, one can go to the (small) local university -- their wireless network is wide open and few wireless (or other) security measures are in place. This is reportedly because students were having to contact the IT department to get their XBoxes connected (something to do with the MAC addressing). As this was causing too much work, the solution was to just stop using those security features.
I'll stop lamenting the technological desert I seem to live in... ^~^ Thanks Danny for keeping us informed.
Yeah man :) us too we got those 20 000yen vouchers lol that i ended up spending mostly... on CHEESE lol
Game Designer
http://www.ahbonk.net
Also, Softbank has super-friendly staff at the Roppongi Hills branch. Stayed on it ever since!