Apologies if reviving this old threat is bad etiquette. Now that we're
T+3 months into the iPhone launch, I'm curious to know if anyone might
be close enough to the Japanese mobile carriers to have heard any
whispers about when iPhone might be showing up here? I'm curious if
"Asia 2008" means "February 2008" or "November 2008"...
-c
On 5/15/07, Tom Motoyoshi Kalland <tmk@infeline.org> wrote:
> Last time I queried about this at a Softbank store, their "flat rate"
> came with a lot of ifs. According to the sales clerk there it was
> only flat rate when using the bundled email client and the bundled
> browser (which is Internet Explorer). They claimed using other
> browser (like Opera) and other services would be charged on a per-
> packet basis. Also they wouldn't guarantee that they don't block
> ports in their gateway (like SSH or various IMs).
>
> I guess that Softbank (and other carriers) store clerks typically
> don't have a clue, but still, it didn't sound very promising.
>
> I've also heard what you mention about DoCoMo introducing flat-rate
> that covers using the phone as a modem from laptops/etc. I got the
> impression that this was only for certain business phones though
> (like hTC Z), but maybe the sales rep they sent to us was just
> confused. In either case I think I prefer data access cards (not all
> the fuzz with bluetooth pairing or cables, and no worries about
> draining the phone's battery).
>
> .tmk
>
>
> On May 15, 2007, at 03:28 , Andrew Shuttleworth wrote:
>
> > My understanding is that both Softbank and DoCoMo have 3G flat rate
> > plans for about 10,000 yen/month for use with a so-called smart
> > phone. I think flat rate is the only way to go if you plan to use a
> > lot of data. I think all 3 carriers have cheaper flat rate plans if
> > you are using a non-smart phone, but these are still expensive
> > compared to places like Hong Kong.
> >
> > None of the 3 big carriers have a flat rate plan if you want a
> > cellular connection for your laptop. Willcom and E-Mobile do for
> > around 5,000 yen a month, but E-Mobile's coverage is supposedly
> > still a bit patchy and Willcom has good coverage but in not 3G
> > (although I find their service plenty fast enough for everyday use).
> >
> > DoCoMo will, I believe, have new a packet plan coming out on 1
> > June, which may allow you to use the cellular connection for
> > laptops (I'm not 100% sure). Softbank have said they will match the
> > pricing of any of their competitors
> >
> > Andrew
> > www.pocketpcjapan.com
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: keitai-l-bounce@appelsiini.net [mailto:keitai-l-
> > bounce@appelsiini.net] On Behalf Of Nick May
> > Sent: Monday, May 14, 2007 10:31 AM
> > To: keitai-l@appelsiini.net
> > Subject: (keitai-l) Re: SoftBank & Apple
> >
> > It's a shame really - for although their basic plans are quite cheap,
> > I believe (?) they are pricey if one creates a lot of network
> > traffic.
> >
> > Is this correct - how do they compare to Docomo and au for network
> > traffic cost?
> >
> > Nick
> >
> > On 14 May 2007, at 08:45, Craig Kovatch wrote:
> >
> >> I stopped by SoftBank's flagship store in Harajuku yesterday. They
> >> now
> >> have an entire display selling both standard and nano iPods, along
> >
> >
> > This mail was sent to address tmk@infeline.org
> > Need archives? How to unsubscribe? http://www.appelsiini.net/keitai-l/
> >
>
>
> This mail was sent to address cromas@gmail.com
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>
Received on Wed Aug 29 15:02:10 2007