(keitai-l) Re: j-Phone new W-CDMA global roaming handset

From: Reto Grob <rgrob_at_klab.org>
Date: 12/03/03
Message-Id: <20031203172403.3771.RGROB@klab.org>
Hi Martin,

Could you explain to the list:

1.) if there is a SIM lock (such that you could buy a much cheaper local
Vodafone UK SIM card in case you are for a few weeks in the UK) 

2.) how long it takes to launch a Java Application? (e.g. the Java VM
logo is displayed)

Reto


On Thu, 20 Nov 2003 18:49:02 +0900
Martyn_Williams@idg.com wrote:

> 
> 
> 
> 
> Hi Eric,
> 
> In regards to your comments:
> 
> 1) Even Vodafone told me at the beginning of this year that coverage was
> not that great and that I am better off sticking to 2G but I think things
> are changing. They now claim something like 97 percent, which is less than
> the 98 or 99 percent coverage on PDC networks but I guess all that really
> matters is whether there is coverage in the places you want to go to. As I
> rarely travel into the countryside I don't think its too big of a problem
> for me. I'm about to switch so I can let you know!
> 
> 2) The SMS was a problem with the early handsets. The new Sanyo phone has
> conventional Vodafone Live (Sky Mail) service that can be used in both
> Japan and in about 10 countries (You can check the precise list on the
> Vodafone site) and there is also SMS. I think the SMS roaming has been
> extended beyond the UK now. I could also receive SMS in the Netherlands,
> from a Dutch phone, even though I couldn't send it. I think this is
> something that is expanding as the relevant roaming agreements are put into
> place.
> 
> 3) Roaming is always going to be more expensive that using a local SIM
> card. In Vodafone's case, they are much cheaper than Au and you've got to
> weigh up the cost savings versus the convenience of using your own phone
> and keeping your own number so anyone can reach you rather than just those
> people to which you give your temporary number. If you are talking about a
> handset rented in Japan, I think they cost between 500 yen and 1,000 yen a
> day to rent so, unless you make a lot of calls, you might save money just
> by avoiding the handset rental charge.
> 
> If anyone is interested I can post my opinions of the V801SA as soon as I
> get my hands on one!
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Martyn
> 
> 
> 
> 
>                                                                                                                                        
>                       Eric Bossieux                                                                                                    
>                       <eric@tti-jpn.com        To:       keitai-l@appelsiini.net                                                       
>                       >                        cc:       (bcc: Martyn Williams/NEWS SERVICE/IDG)                                       
>                                                Subject:  (keitai-l) Re: j-Phone new W-CDMA global roaming handset                      
>                       11/19/2003 15:11                                                                                                 
>                       Please respond to                                                                                                
>                       keitai-l                                                                                                         
>                                                                                                                                        
> 
> 
> 
> 
> At 5:50 pm +0100 on 14/11/03 you wrote:
> 
> >  Finally a 3G phone capable of global roaming:
> >
> >  http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/16425.html
> 
> Not having a Vodafone account but still holding on to my DDI Pocket
> account, I would very much like to change over if the service is all that
> great. I've heard the following regarding this "global roaming" service:
> 
> 1. expensive, poor coverage in Japan
> 2. No SMS service other than in Japan and then only with Vodafone Japan and
> U.K subscribers
> 3. Roaming to the US for example is outrageously expensive (cheaper just to
> have rented a phone at the airport)
> 
> So, has anybody actually used this global roaming service by Vodafone?
> Since the phones won't be available till Dec, it would be nice to hear how
> well the phone actually works overseas. (I've heard that not all SIM cards
> are equal, i.e. every card works with your phone)
> 
> Still looking for that universal phone number,
> 
> ---eric
> --
> ----------------------------------
> Eric Bossieux     eric@tti-jpn.com
> Tel/Fax/Voicemail: +81-3-6644-0434
> ----------------------------------
> 
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> 
> 
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__________________________________________________________
Reto Grob, rgrob@klab.org
Researcher, K Laboratory

Tel: +81-3-5711-1329
Received on Wed Dec 3 10:28:07 2003