Softbank - additional phone needed.

[RyoHazuki]

Hi There,

I tried unsuccessfully to speak to Softbank representative. I have a contract and a phone (doh!) from Softbank. However, I need another phone, either with the SAME number or without a SIM.

Can I buy only a unit? or anybody knows if they can duplicate my sim to use in another device (I want to keep on in my car always). I used to do it abroad without any problems.

Thanks in advance.

[Oradea]

only docomo runs that service right now. You could buy a pay as you go at the convenience store, but as to how to get around the sim card, no idea.

[Zeth3D]

I come to this blog frequently, and I've finally sign up in the forums.

Anyways, I saw this subject on the phone, and I've been wondering myself how I might go about utilizing a Japanese phone here in the states. Now before we get on me about providers and only a very few phones are unlockable, etc, being pretty much impossible, etc, let me just say I know that.

I've done some research and I have found that T-mobile or Cingular would be the best bet as for providers here in the states. What I need though is the actual hardware. I've also found the SoftBank, specifically their SHARP phones, may very well be the only ones that I can pull this off with.

I just thought I'd ask you guys about it, see if anyone can help me out about getting this off the ground. I've found a few blogs and other forums on the subject, but they are already about a year old... Im sure those things dont apply anymore (especially since they were talking about Vodafone...)

Anyways thanks for your guys help in advance (I'll be more than glad to share what i've found so far if you guys want me to).

[RyoHazuki]

thanks for the reply.

[martindesu]

I come to this blog frequently, and I've finally sign up in the forums.

Anyways, I saw this subject on the phone, and I've been wondering myself how I might go about utilizing a Japanese phone here in the states. Now before we get on me about providers and only a very few phones are unlockable, etc, being pretty much impossible, etc, let me just say I know that.

I've done some research and I have found that T-mobile or Cingular would be the best bet as for providers here in the states. What I need though is the actual hardware. I've also found the SoftBank, specifically their SHARP phones, may very well be the only ones that I can pull this off with.

I just thought I'd ask you guys about it, see if anyone can help me out about getting this off the ground. I've found a few blogs and other forums on the subject, but they are already about a year old... Im sure those things dont apply anymore (especially since they were talking about Vodafone...)

Anyways thanks for your guys help in advance (I'll be more than glad to share what i've found so far if you guys want me to).

You're only really going to get a 903SH to work. Softbank wise, a 707sc. Check howard forums. Japanese phones are locked very, very well - hence no recent blogs.

[GomiGirl]

Hi There,

I tried unsuccessfully to speak to Softbank representative. I have a contract and a phone (doh!) from Softbank. However, I need another phone, either with the SAME number or without a SIM.

Can I buy only a unit? or anybody knows if they can duplicate my sim to use in another device (I want to keep on in my car always). I used to do it abroad without any problems.

Thanks in advance.

OK - coupla things:

1) You can use any current Sim in any softbank phone or even some of the generic Nokia's that you can get these days.

2) but I don't think you can have the same number working on two different phones at the same time - think of the logistics!!

2) I can't speak for Softbank older phones, but certainly on the older non-sim DoCoMo phones you can switch between handsets on the same phone number - we do this all the time at work as we have a heap of handsets and not as many active phone numbers. All you need to do, is call the activation number and switch it over and then call a different number to switch it back to the main handset again. But only one phone will work with each phone number at any time - again this is impossible for the carriers to manage.

So if you want something in your car at all times, I would suggest you getting another handset with a different number and so anytime that second number rings you have it forwarded to your main phone.

However, am not sure why you want this as surely your main phone is with you at all times.

[RyoHazuki]

GomiGirl,

Well, when I was working in europe, I was subscribed to Orange.
I had my main phone with me and another handset in my car.
they both had the same number (the SIM was duplicated). When I used
to get a call, both phone rang, needless to say I could answer only in one
of them (while I could do an outgoing call on the other handset if I wanted
to). The limitation Orange had is that I can have only two duplicated SIM's.

I was under the impression I can get that in Softbank as well, but I guess Japan is a bit behind when it comes to GSM (naturally,since they dont use GSM).

[GomiGirl]

I was under the impression I can get that in Softbank as well, but I guess Japan is a bit behind when it comes to GSM (naturally,since they dont use GSM).

No in Japan it is a more advanced system than GSM. But anyway, good luck trying to get a duplicated sim - I don't like your chances but it worth asking the question.

Japan has operated on a more closed system than Europe with the carriers dictating the services rather than the customers. Not saying that one system is better than another, it is just different.

[oyajikun]

Gomigirl,

Being the Keitai Goddess, I wonder if you might be able to answer my question.

Do you know how much Softbank will be charging for the X02HT or X01H Smartphones?

Not wanting to lug around a notebook PC for 2 weeks, I'm looking to carry a smartphone with me during my trip back to the US.

-oya

[GomiGirl]

Gomigirl,

Being the Keitai Goddess, I wonder if you might be able to answer my question.

Do you know how much Softbank will be charging for the X02HT or X01H Smartphones?

Not wanting to lug around a notebook PC for 2 weeks, I'm looking to carry a smartphone with me during my trip back to the US.

-oya

Sorry - don't know anything about pricing. Have you tried their website?

[oyajikun]

Sorry - don't know anything about pricing. Have you tried their website?

Yes, I've checked, but no prices available on their website. I wuold just go down to the shop and ask but I can't break from the routine this week due to overtime..

Thanks for the reply anyhow!

[Zeth3D]

Im sorry to interrupt this thread again, I know you guys probably think im some sort of noob or something...

So you say the 707sc will work?
http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/product/3g/707sc/index.html

I'd settle for that one easy.
But where would I get one in the states? And what other steps have you taken that you know this one will work? (Firmware, unlock, etc)?


Again sorry to interrupt your thread RyoHazuki

[martindesu]

Im sorry to interrupt this thread again, I know you guys probably think im some sort of noob or something...

So you say the 707sc will work?
http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/product/3g/707sc/index.html

I'd settle for that one easy.
But where would I get one in the states? And what other steps have you taken that you know this one will work? (Firmware, unlock, etc)?


Again sorry to interrupt your thread RyoHazuki

go to howardforums and ask there.