VOIP in Japan

[Mini_B]

Is there a VOIP service in Japan that compares to Vonage (http://www.vonage.com) in the US, Canada and UK? I recently started using Vonage and I'm shocked at the quality and how damn cheap it is. I wanna get a Japanese # but not certain whick company to use. Any suggestions?

[jim katta]

I didn't know vonage had started offering japan numbers.

the best most reliable bet in japan seems to be YahooBB. but I could be wrong.

vonage ROCKS!! there's so much you can do with it. I feel so free. when I think of the rapings I got from the telcos for years, this feels like sweet payback. although I don't know how long this party will last.

[gkanai]

Vonage doesnt offer Japanese numbers. The ToS also does not support overseas use, so just FYI.

I was interviewed by the Times UK for my Vonage usage in Tokyo:
http://www.kanai.net/weblog/archive/2004/03/17/01h05m23s

I've also introduced Vonage to a number of people in Japan who do a lot of calls to the US including Joi:
http://joi.ito.com/archives/2003/05/28/vonage_is_cool.html

Most of the Japanese ISPs have VoIP services. YahooBB! Phone is most famous.

[omae mona]

The ToS also does not support overseas use, so just FYI.

Yikes.. I didn't notice that. I packed my Vonage setup into my suitcase when I moved back here two years ago, plugged it in, and voila - U.S. dialtone and a 212 number in Tokyo. I didn't notice that clause in the ToS, and I am pretty sure I checked); wonder if they changed it after that.

I have a second violation of the ToS by using the phone for business... I crank several hours of calls through that thing each day.

The only problem with the setup (along with a U.S. mail address with forwarding service) is that people don't believe me when I tell them I'm in Japan.

Anyway, IIRC, when you do VOIP in Japan, the provider assigns you some strange area code I've never seen before.

[gkanai]

The ToS also does not support overseas use, so just FYI.

Yikes.. I didn't notice that. I packed my Vonage setup into my suitcase when I moved back here two years ago, plugged it in, and voila - U.S. dialtone and a 212 number in Tokyo. I didn't notice that clause in the ToS, and I am pretty sure I checked)]

Do you have the older Cisco ATA (analog telephone adapter) or the newer Motorola ATA with the built-in 4 port router?

[omae mona]

Do you have the older Cisco ATA (analog telephone adapter) or the newer Motorola ATA with the built-in 4 port router?

The Cisco. So to be more precise, what I threw in my suitcase was actually (if I remember): the cisco box, an RJ-11 phone cable, a cordless phone, a few ethernet cables, a linksys wireless router, the two AC adapters, and maybe I even brought a small power strip. Folks have it so much easier nowadays.

[kamome]

I used VOnage in Japan and set up a virtual number in the state where my mom lives so we could talk for free. She was always complaining that she couldn't call overseas with her cell phone, so the Vonage service turned out to be extremely helpful AND I eliminated the biggest chunk of my long distance phone bill. It's great to not need NTT anymore, isn't it?

[mdcruz88]

Lingo BABY!!!

I was having issues with phone calls at first. Turned out to be a firewall issue that was easly fixed.

I've got a number local to the States, and one number local to where I am here in Japan. It's awesome.

But man...love the having the phone. It's always fun to get phone calls at ALL ODD hours of the day.

[Mini_B]

OK. I'm using a VONAGE number with a Florida area code in Japan. The service is great. My friends and family can call my Florida number now and it's a breeze. No more nefty phone bills or international calling cards (sorry Brastel...you were great when needed). So now I'm wondering if I can get the same doo-dad with a Japanese number. I'd like to have a Tokyo 03 area code so I can get calls from Japan when I'm in the US. What's the best deal out there these days? Does YahooBB offer a service similar to VONAGE?

[gkanai]

So now I'm wondering if I can get the same doo-dad with a Japanese number. I'd like to have a Tokyo 03 area code so I can get calls from Japan when I'm in the US. What's the best deal out there these days? Does YahooBB offer a service similar to VONAGE?

Mini B, I've thought about this myself, but I don't think it's possible. This is because the Japanese VoIP services are tied to the ISP (in fact are built into the routers given to you by Yahoo! BB, etc.) whereas Vonage is a separate service, not attached to any ISP.

If you can find a VoIP service in Japan that isn't tied to an ISP, please let me know.

[Mini_B]

I'd consider getting a VOIP that's tied to the ISP. I could use another landline. I'm renting a line from NTT right now for 2000 JPY a month and I need a fax line as well. Does YahooBB offer a VOIP service? Is there anyone out there that's using it who can give some feedback? How's the service? Cost?

[gkanai]

I'd consider getting a VOIP that's tied to the ISP.

Just FYI, you wouldn't then be able to move that router to a different broadband network and get it to work.

That's the beauty of Vonage- it isn't tied to an ISP. Same as Skype...

[Mini_B]

Without being able to move the number around I guess it's kinda defeating the purpose of having a VOIP. Surely there has to be a service that offers Japanse numbers while while letting the box roam. Anyone? Anyone?

[Big Booger]

Sorry to bring up an old horse, but I was curious about this. I mean I sign up for their service, it says I need a US credit card... that I don't have. I have a Japanese Visa, and I cancelled all my US cards for security reasons.

How would you sign up without a US based CC?

[Blah Pete]

Sorry to bring up an old horse, but I was curious about this. I mean I sign up for their service, it says I need a US credit card... that I don't have. I have a Japanese Visa, and I cancelled all my US cards for security reasons.

How would you sign up without a US based CC?

I have the same problem almost. I have a US credit card but my mailing address is in Japan.
I tried to sign up for Vonage online and I was doing OK until I got to the part where you had to fill in the credit card billing address. This is usually checked out as part of the anti-fraud effort.
I am getting my company in the US to handle it for me.
Will they take pay pal?
Vonage will take debit cards.

[Mini_B]

HAve someone open a PO BOX in the US for you and call your credit card company and switch your billing address. Or...open a bank account online with Bank of America, get an ATM card which has a VISA logo on it and that will work just fine. Have them send it to a friend or relative in the US. They should activate it first before you try to use the card! Simple as that.

[emperor]

Skype are giving free minutes away this month

[FG Lurker]

Skype are giving free minutes away this month

Gotta link or more info? I'd love some free minutes!! Nothing up on their site I can see though...

[emperor]

Skype are giving free minutes away this month

Gotta link or more info? I'd love some free minutes!! Nothing up on their site I can see though...

they give them out on 4 days this month for 24 hours and they expire a few weeks later - maybe todays free minutes are gone?

http://share.skype.com/blog/products_and_services/today_is_the_first_free_skypeout_day/#readmore

[FG Lurker]

Thanks for the link. Seems to be 10 minutes, right? Better than nothing of course! But not worth the hassle as I already know I like skypeout.