Softbank to discontinue 2G phones!

[FG Lurker]

Vodafone and even ancient J-Phone 3G handsets will work just fine on the Softbank network.

The bigger question though is can you use a pre-paid SIM in a non-prepaid phone? I have no idea and have never tested it but I suspect that you might not be able to do this. In that case you would need to hunt down an older 3G prepaid handset, probably a lot tougher to do.

Why would you want to keep a prepaid phone though? Just buy a used phone and get it activated at Softbank on the 1000/yen a month White Plan. As you aren't buying a phone there should be no need for a 2 year contract and the cost per minute is FAR less than with prepaid.

[Catoneinutica]

Why would you want to keep a prepaid phone though?

The same reason some fgs want to keep a second ETC, perhaps...

[FG Lurker]

The same reason some fgs want to keep a second ETC, perhaps...

Sure, but prepaid phones are all registered to the buyer now anyway, unless you buy one from a shady source.

Congrats on hitting Yokozuna, btw.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

Vodafone and even ancient J-Phone 3G handsets will work just fine on the Softbank network.

The bigger question though is can you use a pre-paid SIM in a non-prepaid phone? I have no idea and have never tested it but I suspect that you might not be able to do this. In that case you would need to hunt down an older 3G prepaid handset, probably a lot tougher to do.

Why would you want to keep a prepaid phone though? Just buy a used phone and get it activated at Softbank on the 1000/yen a month White Plan. As you aren't buying a phone there should be no need for a 2 year contract and the cost per minute is FAR less than with prepaid.

i've got an ancient j-phone, well used to have one, i sold it before i left. they made me tie it to my regular contract phone. but unless you're on some kind of work or residence permit you can't have a contract with SB anymore. i signed up in sept 2004 and was able to have a contract, but as of january 2006, they're no more. and it burns the hell out of SB every time i go there to buy a new phone or something because they get all confused when they see i have a very valid contract, but only a temporary visitor visa.

[FG Lurker]

You can't get any phone now (contract or prepaid) without your gaijin card. This applies to activating a prepaid or regular phone that you already own as well. If you already have a phone on contract though and keep paying the bill then it isn't a problem to keep using it. (I assume if someone "in the know" finds out they will cancel it of course...)

[IkemenTommy]

About fuckin time, Softwank.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

You can't get any phone now (contract or prepaid) without your gaijin card. This applies to activating a prepaid or regular phone that you already own as well. If you already have a phone on contract though and keep paying the bill then it isn't a problem to keep using it. (I assume if someone "in the know" finds out they will cancel it of course...)

my phone is on autodebit off my emirati credit card. i went in last month to change it to a new card and they didn't mention anything about needing to renew my contract (which technically expired a year ago...it was a 2 year one), so i'm just waiting to rack up a really big bill and then cancel it as my own special way of getting back at the fiscal injustices japan served upon me.

(just kidding, i wouldn't. but ooooo how i'd love to)

[IkemenTommy]

(just kidding, i wouldn't. but ooooo how i'd love to)

Liar. You would just to piss off the authorities and pay back for the KIX dilemma.
I dare you to. We won't tell.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

Liar. You would just to piss off the authorities and pay back for the KIX dilemma.
I dare you to. We won't tell.

i did think about it, i will admit. not because of my KIX dilemma, but for the recent one with my friend. we spent a lot of time on the phone and i'm guessing it's gonna be a 100.000+ bill.

i have tried to call softbank to say i need to cancel my card that is currently listed for payment, but they said i have to come into a softbank office to do that. so, in 2 days it's going to go through, unfortunately.

most likely i'll go in and cancel my contract when i'm there next month anyway. no need for me to have it and keep paying 2000 a month just to have it.

[endless-summer]

First time post. I have an old 3G Nokia Vodafone Japan handset that was on contract. After upgrading, I kept the Nokia as it has 3G and GSM. But my new handset is only 3G.

I bought a new Softbank 3G prepaid during the summer. After setting up the email/spam settings, I put the prepaid sim in my Nokia and it works fine.
Voice,SMS,MMS and access to the settings webpage. No complaints.

[FG Lurker]

my phone is on autodebit off my emirati credit card. i went in last month to change it to a new card and they didn't mention anything about needing to renew my contract

You don't need to renew the contract unless you want to buy a new SoftBank phone. If you keep the same phone you are on month-to-month service with them -- basically like a prepaid phone without the requirement to prepay.