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iphone in japan with docomo

Factory unlocked iphone sync with itunes Softbank phone will it relock my phone?

All
I was wondering if anyone know any info that will help.
I won in a lottery a free iphone 3GS in Singapore and i know that the unit is factory unlocked since all phones are all sold factory unlocked.

My question is if I us I restore my data from my iphone 3GS from Softbank (locked to Softbank) to the iPhone i got in Singapore (Factory Unlocked) will it lock the unlocked phone? I have been looking for answers but cant seem to find it!
Also what will happen if I update, say to any new update or the new 4.0 when it comes out will this also lock the phone?

------------------------------------------------------
Unit won
iPhone 3Gs 32GB / black / factory unlocked.
3.2.1 version / Firmware 05.11.07
Unit currently using
Softbank iPhone 3Gs 32G / White
3.2.1 version / Firmware 05.11.07

Sorry I know so many questions!
Thanks
 
Adachik said:
Hello all!
FYI Xperia APN settings
you have to change your Docomo account to Packet houdai double.

Name= Mopera U Smart phone
APN= mpr2.bizho.net
No user name or password
MCC=440
MNC=10

Can someone please try it and see if it works? I am planning to get an unlocked iPhone 3Gs and use it on the docomo net.
Click to expand...

LOL you try it!!!!
 
Well that new iphone that was leaked is reportedly using a micro sim. I'm not sure if you have read about NTT DOCOMO going over to Micro sim to possibly use on the 3G ipad. This could be some good news for IPhone on NTT docomo. Currently the only way to use iphone with a data plan is with the 128k. So lets keep our fingers crossed.
 
Espionage32 said:
Since nothing new has been posted. I guess I will update y'll with some important information through some links.

Take a look!!

http://softbanksucks.blogspot.com/2010/07/unlocked-iphone-likely-coming-to-docomo.html
Click to expand...

The information about Docomo unlocking phones was published some time ago, but I didn't know the details. Moreover, it looks like Softbank will not unlock the iPhone4 or iPad. Well, that's the only competitive advantage they have...

However, knowing that Docomo will accept unlocked phones, the option of importing a factory-unlocked iPhone4 from Hong Kong, France, UK, etc. becomes interesting again.

The only question I have is whether Docomo is still using IMEI-filtering to filter out Non-Docomo smartphones or whether they already dropped it in preparation for next year's change.
Moreover, I wonder what they would charge for tethering? Would they charge two times 5,985 Yen (max.)?
 
AndyJapan said:
The information about Docomo unlocking phones was published some time ago, but I didn't know the details. Moreover, it looks like Softbank will not unlock the iPhone4 or iPad. Well, that's the only competitive advantage they have...

However, knowing that Docomo will accept unlocked phones, the option of importing a factory-unlocked iPhone4 from Hong Kong, France, UK, etc. becomes interesting again.

The only question I have is whether Docomo is still using IMEI-filtering to filter out Non-Docomo smartphones or whether they already dropped it in preparation for next year's change.
Moreover, I wonder what they would charge for tethering? Would they charge two times 5,985 Yen (max.)?
Click to expand...

When this was announced I contacted Docomo's press contact. They stated that they -already- support unlocked devices. I went to the nearest Domomo store and made them test with the store SIM. The 12,000yen+ plan works but the 5X00yen plan does not. I made them call the Smartphone specialist and let me talk to her, and got all the correct info.

The announcement says they'll start doing this in April. Currently there is no pricing around it. Maybe closer to April they'll implement a new plan, or update the current one to allow other phones. OR, they'll do some kind of dick move like only allow the Softbank locked phones which Docomo unlocks. Softbank does kind of suck, but at least they want my business. Docomo will have to do a lot better for me to consider switching.
 
discoltk said:
When this was announced I contacted Docomo's press contact. They stated that they -already- support unlocked devices. I went to the nearest Domomo store and made them test with the store SIM. The 12,000yen+ plan works but the 5X00yen plan does not. I made them call the Smartphone specialist and let me talk to her, and got all the correct info.

The announcement says they'll start doing this in April. Currently there is no pricing around it. Maybe closer to April they'll implement a new plan, or update the current one to allow other phones. OR, they'll do some kind of dick move like only allow the Softbank locked phones which Docomo unlocks. Softbank does kind of suck, but at least they want my business. Docomo will have to do a lot better for me to consider switching.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info.
I also went to a Docomo shop and asked whether an unlocked iPhone could be used. Although the shop assistant didn't clearly say 'Yes, no problem', she indirectly said that it should work. She mentioned that it's important to have a Pake Hodai Double plan. Not sure if this means that they dropped IMEI filtering. If they still stick to the 12,000Yen plan (2 data plans), they can forget it.
I took the plunge and ordered an unlocked iPhone4 in the UK and should get it at the end of September. I will then try to use my current SIM and will also speak with Docomo about the data plan. Assuming that Docomo will not provide Micro-SIM cards, I also ordered a SIM-cutter. I'll be back with more info at the end of September.
 
The 128k plan works fine. Just get the mopera U wifi setup as well. You can use wifi at all Starbucks and mcdonalds and just about every major train station in Tokyo. If you live in Tokyo.
 
Espionage32 said:
The 128k plan works fine. Just get the mopera U wifi setup as well. You can use wifi at all Starbucks and mcdonalds and just about every major train station in Tokyo. If you live in Tokyo.
Click to expand...

I already have MoperaU and use it daily with my iPod touch or iPad.
128K wouldn't be acceptable for me. I tried b-mobile's 300K service for one month and it was really frustrating. Either full speed through Docomo or Internet access through my WiMAX modem. The latter one would be cumbersome, but could serve as an interim solution until April 2011.
I should get my iPhone next week and will speak with the folks of the Docomo shop. I'll be back with more updates.
 
AndyJapan said:
I already have MoperaU and use it daily with my iPod touch or iPad.
128K wouldn't be acceptable for me. I tried b-mobile's 300K service for one month and it was really frustrating. Either full speed through Docomo or Internet access through my WiMAX modem. The latter one would be cumbersome, but could serve as an interim solution until April 2011.
I should get my iPhone next week and will speak with the folks of the Docomo shop. I'll be back with more updates.
Click to expand...



Cool keep us updated! I'm in Tokyo quite a bit.
 
Espionage32 said:
Cool keep us updated! I'm in Tokyo quite a bit.
Click to expand...

Got my unlocked iPhone yesterday and inserted my Docomo SIM card after cutting it to Micro-SIM format. The phone works without any problems, but Internet access does not work when using the APN 'mpr2.bizho.net' which is the access point that is used for Pake Hodai Double. Error message: "PDP authentication failure" :mad:
mopera.net works, but I am afraid that this will not fall under Pake Hodai Double, but generate additional charges. Docomo shop confirmed this and recommended to use the mpr2 APN. However, they also said that they cannot guarantee that it works as they are not familiar with setting up the iPhone for their network.

I also logged on start.mopera.net through the APN '0120.mopera.ne.jp', hoping that this would help to somehow register the phone on the Docomo network, but nothing changed.

This means that the situation has not changed since this issue had been discussed in this thread. mpr2.bizho.net which is the appropriate APN for Pake Hodai Double cannot be used. mopera.net works, but would generate additional charges (not recommended). I will try out the 128K APN, but don't think that I can tolerate ISDN speed on my phone.

Found another APN (see below) on a Japanese website (http://acc.komugi.net/?資料/通信料金 and http://www.teigaku-docomo.net/apn/index.html), but this one doesn't work either although it was mentioned on the website that this access point should work and doesn't filter IMEIs.
I tried it w/o and with username and password, but always receive a PDP authentication error.

mopera.flat.foma.ne.jp

I'll give it another try and check with a different Docomo shop, but in worst case I'll have to wait until April 2011 and use my WiMAX and public WLAN in the meantime.
 
128K APN works

Espionage32 said:
Cool! I'm glad you tried.
Click to expand...

Well, I would have liked to get it working with the mpr2 APN, but I am now using the 128K APN (mpr.ex-pkt.net) and it works. I just have to check my bill and make sure that it falls under Pake Hodai Double.
Although only 128K, it feels faster than b-mobile's 300K service. Strange, as b-mobile is using the Docomo network. I've activated website compression under the Mopera U settings (www.mopera.net). Not sure if this helps to increase speed. Using maps with 128K is of course rather slow, but mail and mobile websites load at an acceptable speed.


UPDATE:

Checked my bill on mydocomo.com and recognized that I generated a charge of 5,386 Yen within 2 days by trying out different APNs.
The bill is broken down as follows:

FOMA packets Standard: 33,959 packets = 2,717Yen
FOMA packets Smartphone: 4,841 packets = 387 Yen
FOMA packets [128K]: 28,528 packets = 2,282 Yen

Total charge: 5,386 Yen minus 372 Yen for Pake Hodai Double

I don't quite understand the breakdown, but assume that the charges are coming from the following APN settings.

FOMA packets Standard: mopera.net
FOMA packets Smartphone: mpr2.bizho.net
FOMA packets [128K]: mpr.ex-pkt.net

mopera.net worked, but obviously generated quite a charge.
mpr2.bizho.net did not work, but attempts to connect obviously generated some traffic.
The 128K seems to work, but I don't understand why it doesn't fall under Pake Hodai Double.

I'll doublecheck with Docomo where these charges are coming from.
For now, I switched off Cellular Data and will not even use the 128K APN.
WiMax and Public WLAN are sufficient for the moment.
 
Thanks Andy so much for reporting your findings. After a lot of research and tinkering I've managed to recently set up my iPhone on the Docomo network. I'd been using the mopera.net apn because I thought that was the only option. I thought that the data used via the mopera.net apn would be charged accordingly to the Pake Hodai Double plan. But now I'm a bit nervous about how much money I've been charged for my recent data transmission. Please keep posting what you find out and I will do likewise so we can find the most economical network configuration for iPhone users on Docomo.
 
kvvok said:
Thanks Andy so much for reporting your findings. After a lot of research and tinkering I've managed to recently set up my iPhone on the Docomo network. I'd been using the mopera.net apn because I thought that was the only option. I thought that the data used via the mopera.net apn would be charged accordingly to the Pake Hodai Double plan. But now I'm a bit nervous about how much money I've been charged for my recent data transmission. Please keep posting what you find out and I will do likewise so we can find the most economical network configuration for iPhone users on Docomo.
Click to expand...

I strongly recommend to sign up at MyDocomo (www.mydocomo.com) as you can then monitor your bill. Pre-requisite is that you can read some Japanese as this website is not available in English.
Alternatively, you can go to a Docomo store and ask them to check your bill. You will need your 4-digit Docomo PIN that you decided when signing up with Docomo. Don't expect the Docomo staff to tell you how to set up the iPhone. They are not trained for this and even if they ask their support center, they only get insufficient information (My experience).

I've heard that the mopera.net APN has a cap at approx. 10,000 Yen. Not sure if this is true.

I'll be back with more info if I find a way to connect to the Docomo network and being charged under the Pake Hodai Double flat rate.
 
Hey all, I don't have a mac or an iPhone, but I have used a lot of information found in this thread to setup my galaxy s with docomo, so I feel I should at least return the favor. I spent a little over an hour last night on the phone with Docomo customer service and their tech support, and I believe I have the offical word on the charges for each of the access points.

First off, I actually purchased a phone from docomo (Sony Ericsson X10 Android) and my account was setup up with a mopera lite account and a pake-hodai double data plan. Under the pake-hodai double data plan they have the following three access points and associate caps.

FOMA packets Standard: mopera.net -- Capped at 10,395 Yen
FOMA packets Smartphone: mpr2.bizho.net -- Capped at 5,985 Yen (IMEI Filtered Docomo smartphones only)
FOMA packets [128K]: mpr.ex-pkt.net -- Capped at 5,985 Yen (D/l throughput capped at 128k, 64k for upload)

There is no speed cap for either the mopera.net or the mpr.bizho.net, other than the maximum capable speed of the 3G/FOMA network itself.

I hope this help!
 
Is it possible to hack the iPhone to transmit a different IMEI? This would seemingly solve all of the issues in the regard that the APN filters would think you're using a Docomo phone instead of the iPhone.

Thoughts?

Rgds...

- John
 
guy2545 said:
Hey all, I don't have a mac or an iPhone, but I have used a lot of information found in this thread to setup my galaxy s with docomo, so I feel I should at least return the favor. I spent a little over an hour last night on the phone with Docomo customer service and their tech support, and I believe I have the offical word on the charges for each of the access points.

First off, I actually purchased a phone from docomo (Sony Ericsson X10 Android) and my account was setup up with a mopera lite account and a pake-hodai double data plan. Under the pake-hodai double data plan they have the following three access points and associate caps.

FOMA packets Standard: mopera.net -- Capped at 10,395 Yen
FOMA packets Smartphone: mpr2.bizho.net -- Capped at 5,985 Yen (IMEI Filtered Docomo smartphones only)
FOMA packets [128K]: mpr.ex-pkt.net -- Capped at 5,985 Yen (D/l throughput capped at 128k, 64k for upload)

There is no speed cap for either the mopera.net or the mpr.bizho.net, other than the maximum capable speed of the 3G/FOMA network itself.

I hope this help!
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for confirming my hypothesis with regards to the charges.
I just went to a local Docomo shop and asked them again about APN settings, but they -again- tried to put me off with the usual excuse that they don't support the iPhone.
I told them that it's not a problem of the phone, but Docomo as they are filtering IMEIs and preventing Non-Docomo phones from using the Pake Hodai APN. Therefore, I won't use Data Transfer on their network. They apologized and said that this problem should be resolved by April 2011 as they will Non-Docomo phones to be used on their network.


@John in DC: Manipulating the IMEI is possible, but this is at least a grey area or even illegal in some countries. I don't know the legal situation in Japan, but decided not to manipulate the IMEI of my iPhone. It's not worth the trouble you might get yourself into.
See https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/441185/
 
Docomo is getting the LTE soon. I wonder what the APN number is going to be for that. I hope it doesn't have IMEI filtering. We just have to wait and see. I can't wait to get off of this 128k ****.
 
Espionage32 said:
Docomo is getting the LTE soon. I wonder what the APN number is going to be for that. I hope it doesn't have IMEI filtering. We just have to wait and see. I can't wait to get off of this 128k ****.
Click to expand...

I don't expect LTE to be cheap at all. It's a new technology and Docomo will charge early adopters for it. You'll anyway need a new handset (goodbye iPhone) and LTE coverage will be most probably only available in metropolitan areas.

128K sucks. I currently use WiMAX (3,780Yen/month) and it works quite well in Tokyo and other big cities. Battery life of the WiMax router isn't too good, but in combination with Public Wifi I can manage to get around the Docomo service.
Advantage of WiMax is that you won't be locked into a 2-year contract as with all other services, which means that you could cancel it at anytime.
 
AndyJapan said:
Thanks a lot for confirming my hypothesis with regards to the charges.
I just went to a local Docomo shop and asked them again about APN settings, but they -again- tried to put me off with the usual excuse that they don't support the iPhone.
I told them that it's not a problem of the phone, but Docomo as they are filtering IMEIs and preventing Non-Docomo phones from using the Pake Hodai APN. Therefore, I won't use Data Transfer on their network. They apologized and said that this problem should be resolved by April 2011 as they will Non-Docomo phones to be used on their network.
Click to expand...

Andy -
I was wondering if you've got any more updates on getting your iphone to work on Docomo. Still on WiMax without any data plan? I recently took the plunge to buy 2 legally unlocked IP4's from HK. Now trying to figure out how to best get them hooked up for me + wife. The other thread about April 2011 seemed to indicate only that Docomo would be considering allowing non-Docomo phones on their networks. Not that anything actually would compel them to do something at that time or are you one of the optimistic? (I can live with WiMax if for 5 months if they actually do something!! )

Thanks
 
question about APNs

hey everyone,
first of all thanks for all your posts; they have been exceedingly informative in my quest to get a softbank iphone 3GS on docomo. after several hours of experimentation i've managed to get it jailbroken and unlocked, and now i can get calls just fine with a docomo SIM from an older phone.

However, data is another issue. i am signed up for the packet hodai double service (パケ・ホーダイ ダブル) but i tried using the 128k APN (mpr.ex-pkt.net) and it doesn't seem to work (getting "“Could Not Activate Cellular Data Network"). i checked mydocomo and it looks like i'm missing the mopera service, and i wanted to verify if this was actually required on top of packet hodai double for using that APN. if so, i had two questions:

1. is there any benefit to getting mopera standard over mopera lite?
2. how are you getting docomo.ne.jp. mails on your iphone? or is this something you're forced to give up?

much appreciated, and happy new year!
 
docomo ht03-a or galaxy something get superuser and install wifitether.
you can use anyplace docomo(mpr2.bizho.net)network.(ad-hoc)
but 2devices little bit heavy sometime.
 
Docomo sim cutdown

AndyJapan said:
Got my unlocked iPhone yesterday and inserted my Docomo SIM card after cutting it to Micro-SIM format. The phone works without any problems,
I just cut my docomo sim down to put in my factory unlocked iPhone 4 and nothing! it stays the same saying no sim installed. I cut it down by using the templates you can download online, getting it nicely fitted and no reception! Any hints would be much appreciated!
Cheers!
Click to expand...
 
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