This is no longer the case. While there are no GSM services in Japan, it is
possible to get a CDMAOne phone from KDDI that can be used outside Japan.
Unfortunately, these roaming agreements appear to be one way - there is no
corresponding service allowing someone with a US or EU CDMAOne phone to roam
in Japan.
Eric Hildum
Director, CTC Business Unit
Itochu Technology Inc.
3100 Patrick Henry Drive
Santa Clara, CA 95054-1850 USA
Tel: +1-408-653-2818
Fax: +1-408-727-4619
> From: Gerhard Fasol <fasol@eurotechnology.com>
> Organization: http://www.eurotechnology.com/
> Reply-To: keitai-l@appelsiini.net
> Date: Fri, 08 Sep 2000 16:20:31 +0900
> To: keitai-l@appelsiini.net, fasol@eurotechnology.com
> Subject: (keitai-l) Re: GSM service
>
> Phillip Taylor wrote:
>>
>> Who are the providers and do they have agreements with other players from
>> outside Japan allowing one to use our GSM phones while in Japan?
>
> If you take a GSM cell phone into Japan it is dead - no connection.
> If you take a Japanese DoCoMo, JPhone, PHS or any other handset
> working in Japan outside of Japan it is also dead - no connection.
> The wireless systems inside and outside Japan are totally incompatible
> at this point in time and for the forseeable future (i.e. next year etc).
>
> There are some ways though of roaming and using your GSM number in Japan or
> using your Japanese number in GSM countries by renting handsets or making
> other arrangements. All carry very high per minute and other charges and need
> some filling in forms, prior notice, reservations etc. Some airlines have
> also arrangements to assist you with this.
>
> Gerhard Fasol
> Eurotechnology Japan K. K.
> http://www.eurotechnology.com/
> fasol@eurotechnology.com
>
>
Received on Fri Sep 8 20:34:57 2000