Air H" Service

by **tokyojoe** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:34 pm

I need occasional web access for my Clie PDA. What is the deal with the PHS networks? Do I need to have an ISP to connect to or will they provide just web access? 5,000 yen a month seems a bit expensive. I`m really looking for something around 2-2500 yen a month if possible.

by **Taro Toporific** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 3:30 pm

tokyojoe wrote:I need occasional web access for my Clie PDA. What is the deal with the PHS networks?? 5,000 yen a month seems a bit expensive. I`m really looking for something around 2-2500 yen a month if possible.

I had the same problem. I've got a Palm with PC slot but the prices seemed too high. I ended up using my keitai (the data-only flat rate is in the 3,500 yen range for AU and NTT).

Anyway, here's a few more English explanations. If you find a cheaper way please post it or PM me.

air-H", or PHS service by DDI pocket corp.
http://www.f3.dion.ne.jp/~sato_t/edge/index-e.html

DoCoMo's @FreeD also has an wireless unlimited data service.
http://www.at-freed.com/

b-mobile is MVNO of AirH".
it is prepaid.
http://www.bmobile.ne.jp

Here's an overview of wireless cards circa 2002. However, the ultra-cheap "Rapira" card service seems to still exist
http://www.au.kddi.com/seihin/shuhenkiki/kiki/rapira_card.html
http://www.japaninc.net/article.php?articleID=818

by **GomiGirl** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 3:46 pm

b-mobile is your friend!!!

by **Taro Toporific** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 5:47 pm

GomiGirl wrote:b-mobile is your friend!!!

http://www.jcius.com/
b-mobile: In addition to nationwide PHS coverage we offer blazing fast WiFi (Wireless LAN) access on more that 3000 spots throughout Japan

Full plan / 1 month / 6,930 Yen
Bb ' 100 / 1 month / 5,145 yen?

by **Caustic Saint** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 6:59 pm

Taro Toporific wrote:http://www.jcius.com/
b-mobile: In addition to nationwide PHS coverage we offer blazing fast WiFi (Wireless LAN) access on more that 3000 spots throughout Japan

Full plan / 1 month / 6,930 Yen
Bb ' 100 / 1 month / 5,145 yen?

Bah! Starbucks is free and has almost as many locations.

by **tonikoro** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 7:35 pm

Starbucks is free?

I used the Wireless in a Starbucks in August when I went back to LA, but I had to pay for 1 day of use. T-mobile I think it was. It worked nicely, but it was not free, has this changed for offers in Japan? Otherwise, I'll pack work up on the Pbook and go enjoy the nice autum weather..

-also does it reach outside, to patios and such?

by **Caustic Saint** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 7:50 pm

Starbucks in Japan is free. In the U.S. you get raped.

by **tokyojoe** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 9:50 am

How wide is the WIFI coverage in Starbucks? I thought they were still doing a test run in a limited number of stores. Have they announced a roll out nation wide?

by **Taro Toporific** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 10:17 am

by **tokyojoe** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 10:21 am

Wow. Thanks for the info. It really has expanded from before. Do they require a specific service or is the SSID open? Do they shops display some kind of logo if they have wifi service?

by **Taro Toporific** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 10:37 am

tokyojoe wrote:Wow. Thanks for the info. It really has expanded from before. Do they require a specific service or is the SSID open? Do they shops display some kind of logo if they have wifi service?

It's seems to be up to the store manager whether they put up a handwritten Wifi sign (or open up their Starbucks WiFi connection). Most open their connection but don't advertise. In addition, most coffee shops downtown are within line-of-sight of an open YahooBB connection since YahooBB is the largest broadband provider and the DEFAULT for a YahooBB is an open WiFi connection.

As a practical matter, Caustic has taught me to sniff for WiFi (using MacStumbler) at any downtown location since the number of open WiFi connections is amazing in the Tokyo area. (Too bad my Palm Pilot is too old to update to WiFi.)

by **tokyojoe** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 10:56 am

Hmmm....I`ll have to ask my local Starbucks if they have it. Might be a better option. My Clie has CF Wifi cards available but I heard the driver is not smart enough to search for open connections. You have to know what you are looking for.

by **Taro Toporific** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 11:07 am

tokyojoe wrote:Hmmm...My Clie has CF Wifi cards available but I heard the driver is not smart enough to search for open connections. You have to know what you are looking for.

Only Sony could be so smart to make the world-beater Clie and then screw up that detail. Within sniffing for an open connections, it's total DOGSHIT and Sony be deeply ashamed.

by **tokyojoe** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 11:27 am

Well they also added a CF slot but only for accessories, not for memory. However, you can buy "alternative" drivers that let you fool the Clie into thinking a CF memory card is a memory stick. Works great.

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Air H" Service

Air H" Service

Re: Air H" Service

Good but not cheap

Re: Good but not cheap

"It's a SONY(tm)" arrrrrrg!

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