I've been wanting an iPhone for awhile and I finally have a job that will allow me to afford the extra cost per month. I've been using cell phones for the last seven or eight years, but I think I've only ever paid for one phone and I share a cheap family plan with my family so just throw my dad a $20 bill each month.
So I'm alittle confused once plans start getting complicated and I actually pay for a phone. So here's my situation:
My goal is to move to Japan sometime next fall. Fortunately, I've heard that I can avoid termination fees if I move abroad.
However, it seems like I wouldn't be able to take the iPhone I purchased with me to Japan and just transfer it to a wireless company there.
I hear talk about illegally unlocking iPhones or "routing it through Vonage" but I don't know what's feasible.
I guess I always could just give the lower-end iPhone to my mom or my brother when I leave and just buy another when I get there, but is there a way around this?
I would also welcome any suggestions for affordable phone service while abroad because I know I will get homesick and need to call people back in the States. There's VOIP but my mom got nervous when I started explaining it (she's a technology-illiterate).
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
I'm going to strongly, strongly discourage you from trying this, even if someone tells you it is possible. It is notoriously difficult for foreigners to obtain access to cellular plans in Japan- they are reserved for citizens only.
In fact, it's quite possible that any route you take, you will have the devil's own time getting a legit cell phone in Japan at all.
And aside from that, the American GSM networks are different frequencies from the Euro and Japanese equivalents, so compatibility of hardware is an issue. Euro-phones generally work in America, but not the other way around, and I know Japan has it's own network protocols and frequencies that are also unique.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Just stick with a local cell phone at the moment. If you manage to move to Japan, your alien registration card will let you purchase a cell phone and plan; at that point get an iPhone.
Btw, since your plans seem a little vague, how are you planning to move to Japan?
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Personally, I'd fly there.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
quote:Originally posted by Shigosei: Personally, I'd fly there.
Psh. Lack of imagination.
Posted by anti_maven (Member # 9789) on :
I tried to fly to Japan, but I only got as far as the channel and my arms got tired.
Why not wait a little and buy a super-groovy US compatible phone in Japan? In Tokyo you could go to the Akihabara area, which is reputed to have the largest concentration of electrical stores in the world. In 6-12 months you'll by finding stuff that makes an iPhone look like a couple of tin cans tied together with string...