iphone in japan with docomo

[jpop2006]

hmmmm this is actually really interesting!

If I'm guaranteed to be able to get a 12600 yen cap WITH tethering, I wouldnt have to pay to get internet service at home, so it would balance out to being reasonable-ish monthly!

I currently have a Docomo number from my company, who is taking care of it for me... I would have to ask them to add the service for me. Can anyone tell me what the service is called?

Check this link out for the plans provided by mopera (Japanese only):
http://www.mopera.net/service/about/fit.html

Looking at the plans, in theory the iphone should be using number 4 Smartphone/Biz Hodai Double. That is strange its registering iphone users as tethering, even though clearly some of you are not.

I guess plan 5 would be the correct plan if you WANT tethering(4700 yen mobile unlimited + 5700 yen tethering unlimited).

On another note, can anyone confirm what's a mopera U starter plan for 500 yen? Is that part of the blackberry package only?

 

[ThomBoh]

I can't speak or read Japanese (not in a useful way anyway).. but 10 400 capped for tethering and other data?? that sounds good to me. And that's just a Mopera plan that I can sign up for online, so I dont even need to talk to NTT about it? sounds great to me

 

[jpop2006]

iPhone on Docomo for an extended period of time?

Has anyone here used the iPhone on Docomo for an extended period of time? Maybe 4-6 months or more?

It would be great if you can share your experiences or any details after getting a better handle on everything.

Thanks!

 

[sealab2021]

hmm after poking around on the the NTT english site the only data plans that sounds like the capped PC/tethering plan that I could find say specifically that they can not be used with Voice Communication....

Sealab-- How were you able to get this capped data plan with voice? If I go in to Docomo, what data plan service should I be asking for (i noticed the double hodai says specifically that PC tethering is outside of the flat rate charge...)?

And I'm still a little confused about Mopera as well I think. As far as I understand it, to use ANY NTT data you need mopera account, which at the cheapest is the lite one for ~300Y a month... what about they higher priced mopera plans? Does mopera itself have a good data plan i can use, or do I just get a basic mopera subscription and use NTT's....

Okay, i haven't checked this thread in a while, so sorry for the late response. Yes, I've been using Docomo for a while now. No issues, and the tethering cap still applies. I'm using the Hodai Double plan. As mentioned before, the Biz-Hodai didn't work for me because Docomo servers didn't recognize my smartphone, and claimed I was tethered to a PC.

The price is 12,600 yen, or close to it (for data). I have gone to using my iphone for tethering to my mac laptop, and I burn a lot of data on Youtube and streaming music. I haven't done other things like download updates or p2p sites (as I would rather not bring attention to myself). I haven't calculated how much data I have used, but I would guess I've probably downloaded a Gigg of data last month. So far, the cap remains.

I got this set up by being honest with them and telling them what I wanted, but in the end, I bought a phone from them and then took out the sim chip and put it in my unlocked jail-broken iPhone. The iphone should have an additional setting open up that asks you for the apn network settings. That has been documented in this thread. I use no user-name and password.

The whole mopera thing for 300 yen is for wifi only. Since I live in an area where no softbank is, well guess what, there is no train stations either, and hence I have no use for the thing.
However, I'm now thinking of switching to a PC data only line, and using that sim in my iPhone. I've tried it at the store and it works. I am more cautious, however, because like the Biz-Hodai issue, there is no way of knowing if the cap will be set at the 7,300 yen mark for pc data only using the iPhone.

Because cell phones minutes are so expensive here in Japan, I'm in the process of getting a land line installed for talking. I use skype and have signed up for the unlimited world calling plan, and I plan to have my calls forwarded to my home phone number for free calling, and then I won't even have to use docomo 3G data for skype, if it ever gets shut down. But as of right now, I have used docomo 3G data with skype with no issues.

 

[SpookyJohn]

Using Docomo Foma sim on an Australian iPhone

When trying to get onto the internet always get "cannot activate cellular data network". iPhone is 3G 32m version. I wonder if anyone knows how to activate the "cellular data network" with the Foma sim.

At the moment I can only make and receive phone calls.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[sealab2021]

John,

You need to open the network settings page on your iphone. You need to add the apn address. It is mopera.net with no username or password required.

Please be careful about using data unless you have a unlimited data package set up on your account. 2 MB of data costs about $20.

 

[SpookyJohn]

John,

You need to open the network settings page on your iphone. You need to add the apn address. It is mopera.net with no username or password required.

Please be careful about using data unless you have a unlimited data package set up on your account. 2 MB of data costs about $20.

Thanks for the advice sealab but I did exactly as you said but I still get the reply "cannot activate cellular data network.

Regards

John B

 

[VIP KING]

NOOB here..

I currently live in Tokyo. I currently have a unique situation, I have a Docomo Blackberry plan.

Here is my plan, I want to use my unlocked/jailbroke iPhone, now I no I will lose my Blackberry Instant messenger ability, but the email should still push and internet should work. However when I put my Foma sim in, the only thing I am able to do is call or get calls.

So with that said, am I on a different internet plan all together because of my unlimited Internet Blackberry plan? The following APn settings do not work for me...

Mopera.net
imode.net
i-mode.net
blackberry.net

Does anyone have any insight? Do I need to hook this up to a PC and make differnt settings. Can anyone give some advice?

Thanks in advance. I can be emailed if you have any ideas?

 

[duceduc]

Thanks for the advice sealab but I did exactly as you said but I still get the reply "cannot activate cellular data network.

Regards

John B

spookyjohn:

I am on the same boat trying to get my iphone to work on internet with an ntt sim. Did you get it to work?

 

[AndyJapan]

Check this link out for the plans provided by mopera (Japanese only):
http://www.mopera.net/service/about/fit.html

Looking at the plans, in theory the iphone should be using number 4 Smartphone/Biz Hodai Double. That is strange its registering iphone users as tethering, even though clearly some of you are not.

[...] The iphone should have an additional setting open up that asks you for the apn network settings. That has been documented in this thread. I use no user-name and password.

Hi,
I am currently using the DoCoMo HT-03A (HTC Magic) and signed up for Smartphone/Biz Hodai Double and Public WLAN service.
FYI, the APN for Biz Hodai Double is 'mpr2.bizho.net'.

I wonder if the issue of being charged for PC tethering data if using an iPhone on the DoCoMo network could be solved by adding this APN to the iPhone settings.

FYI, for setting up the mopera service one has to use a different APN (0120.mopera.ne.jp), go to the Mopera website (start.mopera.net) and login with the 4-digit PIN-code that is registered with DoCoMo. Once this is completed one has to switch back to the Biz Hodai APN (mpr2.bizho.net).
I wonder if DoCoMo is registering the IMEI during this process to identify the phone later and apply the Biz Hodai. This would explain why iPhone users who probably didn't go through this process are charged for tethering.
If this proves to be true, the next question is whether DoCoMo would allow to change the registered IMEI or if they would allow to register two IMEI's (standard DoCoMo phone and iPhone) with their system. I doubt that the staff in the DoCoMo shop will be able to answer such questions, but will give it a try.

I considered buying an unlocked iPhone (in Hong Kong), but hesitated when I learned about the the issue of being charged for data volume even if signed up for Biz Hodai Double. I am not ready to pay for the 'tethering plan' as it's more that 12,000Yen.

P.S.: The HTC Magic sucks...

 

[AndyJapan]

[...] I doubt that the staff in the DoCoMo shop will be able to answer such questions, but will give it a try.

Update:

I went to a local DoCoMo shop and asked if I could use my SIM card with an legally unlocked iPhone and they said NO ('tsukaenai'), which is of course a lie. I repeated my question and said that I know it works, but want to confirm if there are any issues with data traffic, but they refused to answer and repeated their previous answer saying that an unlocked iPhone cannot be used with DoCoMo. Well, this is an obvious lie...

I called the DoCoMo Hotline later and asked whether the 'Biz Hodai Double' plan would apply if I inserted my DoCoMo SIM card into an unlocked 3G phone from overseas. The operator said yes after confirming it with another person. I then asked if this would also apply to the iPhone and the operator confirmed that the 'Biz Hodai Double' will also apply to the iPhone.

O.K., now we have two answers that do not really help us as the first answer I got is an obvious lie and the second answer is according to the experiences of previous posters also not correct.

I am puzzled! How can we find out how to use the iPhone with Biz Hodai Double? If I had an unlocked iPhone at hand I would try it with the previously suggested method (using the Biz Hodai APN), but I unfortunately only have the HT-03A. Any voluntary testers around?

 

[VIP KING]

Update:

Any voluntary testers around?

Yes me, however you need to have a Mopera account to use that APN, otherwise... useless. I have tried your APN's in the past. Nothing works unless you have a Mopera acount.

 

[AndyJapan]

Yes me, however you need to have a Mopera account to use that APN, otherwise... useless. I have tried your APN's in the past. Nothing works unless you have a Mopera acount.

Well, I assumed that you need a Mopera account to use that APN.
My point was whether one can avoid paying 12,600Yen as flat rate (as sealab2021 does) if one is having a Mopera account and using the correct Biz Hodai Double APN, thus paying only 5,985Yen as flat rate.
sealab2021 said that iPhone users are charged for PC tethering although they have a Mopera account, but the DoCoMo hotline told me that Biz Hodai Double also applies to iPhone.

Anyway, I will either take the risk and buy an iPhone in Hong Kong or switch to another DoCoMo phone as the HTC Magic (HT-03A) is a big disappointment. Battery life, response time and user interface suck...

 

[VIP KING]

Well, I assumed that you need a Mopera account to use that APN.
My point was whether one can avoid paying 12,600Yen as flat rate (as sealab2021 does) if one is having a Mopera account and using the correct Biz Hodai Double APN, thus paying only 5,985Yen as flat rate.
sealab2021 said that iPhone users are charged for PC tethering although they have a Mopera account, but the DoCoMo hotline told me that Biz Hodai Double also applies to iPhone.

Anyway, I will either take the risk and buy an iPhone in Hong Kong or switch to another DoCoMo phone as the HTC Magic (HT-03A) is a big disappointment. Battery life, response time and user interface suck...

Yes, you are correct to assume that, however if you've read the past posts on this matter, others have simply stated that they "just enter in the Mopera APN and NO user name or password" and they instantly have internet and email connects. This is completely far from the actual and it drives me insane reading it.
Now, I have a jailbroke 3Gs iPhone, ready to rock and roll, but following the incredibly vague and incomplete info here all I can manage to accomplish is incoming and outgoing phone calls.
Along with my Docomo Blackberry plan, I have the Biz Hodai Double, I know this because it's clearly on my billing statements. Wether or not I need to sign up for the Mopera in addition is an entirely different and frustrating question because I can not seem to get a straight answer.
Not to mention I don't know which version of Mopera I should sign up for and my Japanese co-workers can't even figure it out either. And the Docomo shop employees (that don't even know their own product lines) can give me a straight answer. Heck it took me almost 2 months just to get them to understand that I can use my unlocked (the concept of region free or unlocked escapes them, even though their damn smartphone literature and brochuers state GLOBAL PHONE, they are completely clueless) Blackberry Bold on their network.
They literally told me several times over a course of 4 different visits along with my Japanese speaking, writing and reading wife to get them to think outside the box. I swear these phone companies main goal when hiring employees is strictly to find a pleasant and pretty face to front their products. Learning how or understanding their products is absolutley on no concern, just as long as they can bow and smile while selling you the device, they could care less if they knew how it works. LOL, sad but so true in so many aspects in this country, at least that's what I have noticed.

I had to literally take their working display sim card out of their Bold and put it in mine (at which they almost came unglued in complete panic) and show them I get an NTT signal and all I need them to do is sell me the Blackberry plan. 3 hours I sat in that damn shop just to accomplish what could have been done in ten minutes the very first time I was there.
I swear these Japanese are so narrow minded it's ridiculous. And to think they are one of the most technically advance countries in the world, just makes me batty.

[RANT OVER]

Ok, any way, I apologize for that.

So, if you have a Mopera account with "user name and password", I would be willing to meet you and try this out. Maybe Sealab can meet with us too and gather his input? Trust me, I want nothing more then to get this darn iPhone up and running on the Docomo network.

@ Sealab: So sorry I have not got back to you. I have been on business travel along with getting married and taking some time out if you know what I mean. I will shoot you an email shortly and hope that we can meet at some point. I would love to share what little I know and resolve this issue with the iPhone. I still can't seem to find an option to PM you at all, or anyone for that fact. Is there some sort of magic trick or inspector gadget decoder ring or secret handshake I need to be able to PM people?Is my psot count not high enough?

 

[AndyJapan]

Yes, you are correct to assume that, however if you've read the past posts on this matter, others have simply stated that they "just enter in the Mopera APN and NO user name or password" and they instantly have internet and email connects. This is completely far from the actual and it drives me insane reading it.

FYI, I am currently using the Mopera U standard plan plus Public WLAN and pay 840 Yen per month. I also didn’t have to enter a username or password under the APN settings, but had to log on the Mopera site once using my phone. See explanation below.

Now, I have a jailbroke 3Gs iPhone, ready to rock and roll, but following the incredibly vague and incomplete info here all I can manage to accomplish is incoming and outgoing phone calls.
Along with my Docomo Blackberry plan, I have the Biz Hodai Double, I know this because it's clearly on my billing statements. Whether or not I need to sign up for the Mopera in addition is an entirely different and frustrating question because I cannot seem to get a straight answer.

As mentioned before, I think that you need to sign up for Mopera U.

Not to mention I don't know which version of Mopera I should sign up for and my Japanese co-workers can't even figure it out either.

I agree that it’s difficult to understand. Signing up for Mopera U Standard with Biz Hodai Double (that you already have) should be fine and costs 525 Yen per month. You can also add the Public WLAN service which costs additional 315Yen per month.

And the Docomo shop employees (that don't even know their own product lines) can give me a straight answer. Heck it took me almost 2 months just to get them to understand that I can use my unlocked (the concept of region free or unlocked escapes them, even though their damn smartphone literature and brochuers state GLOBAL PHONE, they are completely clueless) Blackberry Bold on their network.
They literally told me several times over a course of 4 different visits along with my Japanese speaking, writing and reading wife to get them to think outside the box. I swear these phone companies main goal when hiring employees is strictly to find a pleasant and pretty face to front their products. Learning how or understanding their products is absolutley on no concern, just as long as they can bow and smile while selling you the device, they could care less if they knew how it works. LOL, sad but so true in so many aspects in this country, at least that's what I have noticed.

I had to literally take their working display sim card out of their Bold and put it in mine (at which they almost came unglued in complete panic) and show them I get an NTT signal and all I need them to do is sell me the Blackberry plan. 3 hours I sat in that damn shop just to accomplish what could have been done in ten minutes the very first time I was there.
I swear these Japanese are so narrow minded it's ridiculous. And to think they are one of the most technically advance countries in the world, just makes me batty.

Well, I also went to different DoCoMo shops and always got the answer that foreign phones don’t work with the DoCoMo network. This is of course BS, but the DoCoMo employees simply follow the manual. The iPhone or any other Non-DoCoMo phone is treated as an unsupported phone as they cannot guarantee that it works properly. They will never promise that you just have to change some settings and it’ll work as they rather want you to buy an overpriced DoCoMo phone.
We have to figure it out by ourselves and I am eager to find a solution.

Ok, any way, I apologize for that.

So, if you have a Mopera account with "user name and password", I would be willing to meet you and try this out.

I checked my phone settings and there is no username or password entered under the Mopera APN settings. I only needed a username and password to log onto the Mopera website.
However, as I explained in a previous post, I had to log onto the Mopera U site to set up the service prior to the first use.
The procedure is as follows:
Change APN to 0120.mopera.ne.jp
Start browser (on phone) and go to start.mopera.net
Enter 4-digit PIN code on website. (This is the PIN code that you decided when signing the contract)
Change Mopera settings (if needed)
Close browser.
Change APN back to mpr2.bizho.net
Use phone for Internet access.

I do not exactly know why they ask you to log on once before you can use the service, but one guess was that they might use the IMEI of the phone and store it on their servers in order to identify you. Not sure if this is correct.

Maybe Sealab can meet with us too and gather his input? Trust me, I want nothing more then to get this darn iPhone up and running on the Docomo network.

I am happy to meet with so that we can compare phone settings. However, even if we figure out the right settings, you should monitor the charges for Internet access as sealab mentioned that he had to sign up for the 12,600Yen data plan in order to have the cap for data access. Just sign up with MyDocomo so that you can check your bill online.

@ Sealab: So sorry I have not got back to you. I have been on business travel along with getting married and taking some time out if you know what I mean. I will shoot you an email shortly and hope that we can meet at some point. I would love to share what little I know and resolve this issue with the iPhone. I still can't seem to find an option to PM you at all, or anyone for that fact. Is there some sort of magic trick or inspector gadget decoder ring or secret handshake I need to be able to PM people?Is my psot count not high enough?

I am sure you already tried out many settings, but I would proceed as follows:
Register account at MyDoCoMo (to monitor your bill)
Sign up for Mopera U Standard at DoCoMo shop.
Insert DoCoMo SIM card into iPhone.
Create 2 new APN settings:
a) 0120.mopera.ne.jp
b) mpr2.bizho.net
Activate 0120.mopera.ne.jp and go to start.mopera.net
Use PIN code to logon and change settings if needed.
Activate mpr2.bizho.net
Check whether Internet access incl. mail can be used.
If yes, monitor your bill at MyDoCoMo and see whether you incur additional charges that don’t fall under Biz Hodai Double. (Very important as you don’t want to end up with a huge bill). How does that sound?

Anyway, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Let me know if you are willing to try this out or rather meet up and compare phone settings?

 

[VIP KING]

FYI, I am currently using the Mopera U standard plan plus Public WLAN and pay 840 Yen per month. I also didn’t have to enter a username or password under the APN settings, but had to log on the Mopera site once using my phone. See explanation below.


As mentioned before, I think that you need to sign up for Mopera U.


I agree that it’s difficult to understand. Signing up for Mopera U Standard with Biz Hodai Double (that you already have) should be fine and costs 525 Yen per month. You can also add the Public WLAN service which costs additional 315Yen per month.



Well, I also went to different DoCoMo shops and always got the answer that foreign phones don’t work with the DoCoMo network. This is of course BS, but the DoCoMo employees simply follow the manual. The iPhone or any other Non-DoCoMo phone is treated as an unsupported phone as they cannot guarantee that it works properly. They will never promise that you just have to change some settings and it’ll work as they rather want you to buy an overpriced DoCoMo phone.
We have to figure it out by ourselves and I am eager to find a solution.



I checked my phone settings and there is no username or password entered under the Mopera APN settings. I only needed a username and password to log onto the Mopera website.
However, as I explained in a previous post, I had to log onto the Mopera U site to set up the service prior to the first use.
The procedure is as follows:
Change APN to 0120.mopera.ne.jp
Start browser (on phone) and go to start.mopera.net
Enter 4-digit PIN code on website. (This is the PIN code that you decided when signing the contract)
Change Mopera settings (if needed)
Close browser.
Change APN back to mpr2.bizho.net
Use phone for Internet access.

I do not exactly know why they ask you to log on once before you can use the service, but one guess was that they might use the IMEI of the phone and store it on their servers in order to identify you. Not sure if this is correct.


I am happy to meet with so that we can compare phone settings. However, even if we figure out the right settings, you should monitor the charges for Internet access as sealab mentioned that he had to sign up for the 12,600Yen data plan in order to have the cap for data access. Just sign up with MyDocomo so that you can check your bill online.



I am sure you already tried out many settings, but I would proceed as follows:
Register account at MyDoCoMo (to monitor your bill)
Sign up for Mopera U Standard at DoCoMo shop.
Insert DoCoMo SIM card into iPhone.
Create 2 new APN settings:
a) 0120.mopera.ne.jp
b) mpr2.bizho.net
Activate 0120.mopera.ne.jp and go to start.mopera.net
Use PIN code to logon and change settings if needed.
Activate mpr2.bizho.net
Check whether Internet access incl. mail can be used.
If yes, monitor your bill at MyDoCoMo and see whether you incur additional charges that don’t fall under Biz Hodai Double. (Very important as you don’t want to end up with a huge bill). How does that sound?

Anyway, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Let me know if you are willing to try this out or rather meet up and compare phone settings?

AndyJ, this is great info. it's about time. So I basically on my PC Google translated everything into English (going to the start.mopera.net). I will explore these options. All this sounds real promising now.
I will have to use my WiFi connection at home in order to access the internet (start.mopera.net) on the iPhone to start all this up.

I will keep all of you updated on my progress. Good stuf here Andy, thanks and stay tunned... same place, same Bat channel.

 

[AndyJapan]

AndyJ, this is great info. it's about time. So I basically on my PC Google translated everything into English (going to the start.mopera.net). I will explore these options. All this sounds real promising now.
I will have to use my WiFi connection at home in order to access the internet (start.mopera.net) on the iPhone to start all this up.

I will keep all of you updated on my progress. Good stuff here Andy, thanks and stay tuned... same place, same Bat channel.

I suggest to test the stuff with a person who can read Japanese as you will have to logon the mopera website using your iPhone. I am not 100% sure whether you can do this over your WLAN connection. I would try it out using the DoCoMo network as one of my guesses was that they register the IMEI of the phone (just a guess).

Did you already register on the MyDoCoMo site and sign up for Mopera U?
If so, here is the procedure again:

Do not try to access the start.mopera.net site using your DoCoMo phone, but insert the DoCoMo SIM card into your iPhone. (Rationale: As mentioned before, they might log and register the phone's IMEI in order to identify you later. If you use your DoCoMo phone, this phone's IMEI might be registered.)

Create 2 new APN settings on your iPhone:
a) 0120.mopera.ne.jp
b) mpr2.bizho.net
Disable WiFi and activate the 0120.mopera.ne.jp APN.
Open web browser on iPhone and go to start.mopera.net
Use PIN code to logon and change settings if needed. Logout again. (You'd better do this with a person who can read Japanese.)
Activate mpr2.bizho.net
Check whether Internet access incl. mail can be used.
If yes, monitor your bill at MyDoCoMo and see whether you incur additional charges that don’t fall under Biz Hodai Double. As mentioned before, this is very important as sealab mentioned that he ended up with a huge bill.
If you see additional charges that don't fall under Biz Hodai Double, this method doesn't work. In such case, stop using the DoCoMo APNs listed above.

Try at your own risk and keep us posted. Good luck. I truly hope it works!

 

[AndyJapan]

Additional info:

Here is a link how to set up Mopera U with the HT-03A:
http://www.mopera.net/manual/smartphone/ht03a.html

Direct PDF download:
http://www.mopera.net/manual/ht03a/ht03a.pdf

This is the procedure that I described in my previous post. The procedure is specific to the HT03-A phone, but the settings should be universal.

Good luck!

 

[Ron Artest]

Info

hey guys, i recently bought a iphone 3g 8 gig at a used electronics shop. its basically brand new and for a nice price of 2 man. i unlocked and jailbroke 3.1.2 very easily myself following videos that little kids made on youtube. i was happily shocked to see how easy it was to do it. anyway due to a massive falling out with softbank i have been a docomo customer for the past year. im currently on the docomo 3g network with no problems.web sites/apps/reception/calls/ SMS works fine((with docomo people only<<as you know that is the system in japan))..if i really want to check my docomo mail((which is far more limited than gmail that is instantly pushed to my mail on my phone, essentially functioning as my i phone mail)) i just put the sim card in my docomo phone. the only time i put my sim card in my docomo now is to check my usage. and it seems my unlimited internet usage is being capped at 5700 with pake hodai double. im not sure if this is 100%. i will keep checking to confirm. i was wondering if anyone knew about this. i was expecting to be paying around 17000 a month total ((with pake hodai being capped at like 13000)) but it seems my monthly bill with unlimited internet and talking is going to be around 8000 or 9000. which is basically on par with softbank. can anyone confrim this??unlimited internet usage with iphone on docomo being capped at 5700??

 

[AndyJapan]

hey guys, i recently bought a iphone 3g 8 gig at a used electronics shop. its basically brand new and for a nice price of 2 man. i unlocked and jailbroke 3.1.2 very easily myself following videos that little kids made on youtube. i was happily shocked to see how easy it was to do it. anyway due to a massive falling out with softbank i have been a docomo customer for the past year. im currently on the docomo 3g network with no problems.web sites/apps/reception/calls/ SMS works fine((with docomo people only<<as you know that is the system in japan))..if i really want to check my docomo mail((which is far more limited than gmail that is instantly pushed to my mail on my phone, essentially functioning as my i phone mail)) i just put the sim card in my docomo phone. the only time i put my sim card in my docomo now is to check my usage. and it seems my unlimited internet usage is being capped at 5700 with pake hodai double. im not sure if this is 100%. i will keep checking to confirm. i was wondering if anyone knew about this. i was expecting to be paying around 17000 a month total ((with pake hodai being capped at like 13000)) but it seems my monthly bill with unlimited internet and talking is going to be around 8000 or 9000. which is basically on par with softbank. can anyone confrim this??unlimited internet usage with iphone on docomo being capped at 5700??

So you basically bought a used iPhone in Japan, correct? If so, this phone must have been provider-locked to Softbank and you successfully unlocked it. If you can read Japanese, I would recommend registering at MyDoCoMo (http://www.mydocomo.com) as you could then check your bill online and see whether the 5,700 cap applies.

The question you are asking is exactly what I and 'VIP KING' want to know: Does the Biz Hodai Double also apply to an iPhone that is used on the DoCoMo network? sealab2021 said that he has to pay 12,600Yen per month, but the DoCoMo hotline told me that Biz Hodai Double also applies to the iPhone.

Question: What APN settings do you use on your iPhone? Did you enter any DoCoMo specific APN settings, e.g. the settings that I suggested in my previous post?

BTW, you can also go to a DoCoMo shop and ask them about your current phone usage and bill if you cannot use the MyDoCoMo site.

Keep us posted as we want to solve this problem. I unfortunately cannot test it as do not (yet) have an unlocked iPhone.

 

[AndyJapan]

Hey Ron,
you state that you are on Pake-Hodai Double, correct?
If so, I would be surprised if the 5,700Yen cap applies for you as Pake-Hodai Double is ONLY for i-mode. Biz-Hodai Double only applies for Internet access excluding i-mode. That's why Windows Mobile and other DoCoMo smartphones are usually offered with Biz-Hodai Double. See below links for details:

Pake-Hodai Double (i-mode only):
http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/charge/discount/pake_hodai_w/index.html

Biz-Hodai Double (Internet access excl. i-mode):
http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/charge/discount/biz_hodai_w/index.html

Please also note that you will need to sign up for Mopera U if using Biz-Hodai Double.

If you are really only on Pake-Hodai Double, you might incur additional charges as the iPhone doesn't use i-mode.
This would also explain why sealab2021 said that he has to pay more than 12,000Yen as he probably pays both, Pake-Hodai Double AND Biz-Hodai Double. My theory is that Pake-Hodai Double is not required if an iPhone is used on the DoCoMo network as an iPhone doesn't use i-mode. If sealab2021 uses both, a DoCoMo phone and iPhone (swapping the SIM card) on the DoCoMo network, he will need both flat rates, but is actually wasting money.

Again, my theory is that Biz Hodai Double applies to an iPhone that is used on the DoCoMo network. Pake-Hodai Double is not needed when exclusively using an iPhone. However, Biz Hodai-Double users will have to sign up for Mopera U.

 

[Ron Artest]

more info

yes i bought a used i phone and unlocked it no problem in like 5 minutes. i check mydocomo account(i can read japanese..to some degree) and it seems to be capped at 5700 on pake hodai..i am a little confused also because of the i mode thing..i have mopera standard also..the truth i guess will come when the bill comes..docomo staff in general are not coool and or uninformed about the i phone on their network so basically it comes down to us..lets keep this forum updated as much as possible to insure we can all get quailty iphone service on docomo network for a decent price..im looking at 8400 as a total monthly bill..12000 and up for unlimited internet only is nuts and im not going for that

 

[VIP KING]

I suggest to test the stuff with a person who can read Japanese as you will have to logon the mopera website using your iPhone. I am not 100% sure whether you can do this over your WLAN connection. I would try it out using the DoCoMo network as one of my guesses was that they register the IMEI of the phone (just a guess).

Did you already register on the MyDoCoMo site and sign up for Mopera U?
If so, here is the procedure again:

Do not try to access the start.mopera.net site using your DoCoMo phone, but insert the DoCoMo SIM card into your iPhone. (Rationale: As mentioned before, they might log and register the phone's IMEI in order to identify you later. If you use your DoCoMo phone, this phone's IMEI might be registered.)

Create 2 new APN settings on your iPhone:
a) 0120.mopera.ne.jp
b) mpr2.bizho.net
Disable WiFi and activate the 0120.mopera.ne.jp APN.
Open web browser on iPhone and go to start.mopera.net
Use PIN code to logon and change settings if needed. Logout again. (You'd better do this with a person who can read Japanese.)
Activate mpr2.bizho.net
Check whether Internet access incl. mail can be used.
If yes, monitor your bill at MyDoCoMo and see whether you incur additional charges that don’t fall under Biz Hodai Double. As mentioned before, this is very important as sealab mentioned that he ended up with a huge bill.
If you see additional charges that don't fall under Biz Hodai Double, this method doesn't work. In such case, stop using the DoCoMo APNs listed above.

Try at your own risk and keep us posted. Good luck. I truly hope it works!

Andy,
I see what you're saying about maybe not being able to use WiFi on the iPhone to start up the Mopera. However I guess I am confused, how else am I supposed to get this going on my iPhone if I can't get to the internet now? If I was able to use the internet, I wouldn't be here asking the questions I am. Is the "start.mopera.net" something I will be able to access even without internet access on my iPhone?

 

[Ron Artest]

Done!!

ive been checking my packet usage on mydocomo. ive only had it on my phone for 3 days but according to mydocomo it seems to be holding at a capped chrage at 5700.unless there are some secret fees that will appear on my bill that are not on mydocomo. it wass actually maxed out after the first day so i imagine its impossible to have a monthly plan where you pay less than the max rate. but anyway it seems that im on my way to a total monthly package ((descent talk plan plus unlimited internet)) for 8400. not obligated to a 2 year contract and my phone is very coustomizeable/easy to app up for free ((jailbroken))..all in all it was a little bit of a pain but i think ive done it! and i would say its worth getting an i phone on docomo if you really want or need one or if u cant join softbank/dont want to leave docomo..but due to security issues and support i would recommend softbank first. i just happen to be blacklisted over there so i did what i had to do to get the product i want. im a mac dude 100%..products are second to none and i phone is just another product apple is smashing the industry with..black berries/androids/other lame touch phones are all either wack or just tring to play copy cat and catch up..steve jobs and the company itself..they get a big fat "meh"i have zero motivation to support them or their fake cause..but the products are top..sorry for the rant

 

[AndyJapan]

Andy,
I see what you're saying about maybe not being able to use WiFi on the iPhone to start up the Mopera. However I guess I am confused, how else am I supposed to get this going on my iPhone if I can't get to the internet now? If I was able to use the internet, I wouldn't be here asking the questions I am. Is the "start.mopera.net" something I will be able to access even without internet access on my iPhone?

I assumed that you hadn't signed up for Mopera U and therefore couldn't access the Internet. Now that you have signed up for Mopera U and entered the correct APN settings, you should be able to have Internet access.
I suggest trying to access the start.mopera.net site through the DoCoMo network first and if it doesn't work switch on WiFi. Again, I could be wrong as all my suggestions are educated guesses. Keep us posted.