I really like the style of Japanese phones (Docomo, Softbank), I like how slim and sleek they look. And i was wondering would it be possible to get one unlocked, and be able to use it in Canada. I read somewhere that the phone signal will suck, and you won't be able to use some functions like texting, and that unlocking phones is illegal. ARE THEY TRUE??? I was thinking of getting one from Hong Kong, get it unlocked, and then bring it back to Canda to use. Anyone ever tried it?.. and is it possible? b/c i don't want to do anything illegal (don't want to get @ the airport) thnx
there are plenty of places that sell unlocked phones already in canada, japanese phones included. as far as I know, unlocking phones shouldn't be illegal, since there are a lot of public places that sell unlocked phones in canada. I have a friend that has a docomo (i forget which model). At first he thought he couldn't text or receive any either, but later he found out he actually could. As far as I know, the certain problems that may arise are: 1. you can't go on the japanese networks (on the mobile) and downloading things from there, because your sim card isn't a japanese one. (ie ring tones, themes, etc) 2. you can't use the phone to access your bank account through the included programs etc.. (b/c it works only in japan) 3. there may be others, but I don't own the phone myself, so I don't know. Using video calling in canada with the unlocked phone will pose a problem (in this case for GSM network companies). If you're using either rogers or fido, they lock their networks and have certain restrictions. You have to use one of their own 3G phones, and even then, it has to be still locked to their network. Apparently, just unlocking the phone will be enough for them to restrict you from making a video call. You'll be fine with making video calls in HK though. They don't restrict you on it. Anyway, I don't see a clear reason why you would be stopped at the airport, unless it's for taxing you b/c of the value of the goods you're bringing back to canada =P
^ yup that too. makes sure the networks supported on the phone works in the country you want to go to! to OP: a few years back, I asked one of the sales people in the rogers booth what frequencies they support. Apparently it's like this: Rogers: 850 and/or 1900. Fido: 1900. not sure which network you use, but there you go! Also those two are the only gsm networks I know that are available in canada. If it's another, then I apologize in advance, for I will have no knowledge of it.
canada network uses GSM 850/1900) therefore make sure your phone is capable of that. My phone is an Asia phone and is unlocked and everything works perfectly except for the 3G network which i don't use therefore no big deal. I don't think customs will check if your phone is unlocked or not. If you are that scared about it being illegal then have it unlocked in Canada instead and im sure you can get it unlocked everywhere even online with a code. A lot of my friends buy phones from Asia all the time as Canada Wireless carriers provide shit phone such as Fido. I think imported phone are great and that you don't have to worry about other people having the same phone as you and be unique. Anyways the phone should work in Canada if it is GSM and you won't be booked for getting it unlocked.
they work, but signal isnt that great. they require CPRing sometimes. i get full bars in my room i think its cause when i first used phone it found a tower near my house and will only connect to that one. when i drive 10mins away, i get 1 bar and sometimes out of service. CPR- taking hypersim and sim card out of jap phone and playing in a rogers/fido phone to retrieve signal again. theres also the breakin method(use hypersim +you sim in a non jap phone) which i personally didnt do to my phone. like above you wont be able to go on the jap networks etc. there is no software unlock, the only way to unlock your phone is by using hypersims. IE inex, i- smartphone 2008 or 2009 Note: research before you buy your hypersim. select hypersims work with select simcards. (im using i- smartphone 2008 with rogers 3040 simcard, only few hypersims work with the 4000 series which i think is the newest rogers sim"if youre on rogers that is") SMSing works you have to check online and change the service center number to fido/rogers or w.e. Using Docomo SH905i on rogers =]
well it depends on the make cos if i remember correctly, the majority of japanese phones don't use sim cards, only a few makes do use sims and those ones are impossible to unlock. the only way to unlock it i thought was to use a hypersim and insert ur sim in with it and it should work depending on the compatibility of the gsm networks. having said that even then some of the functions u won't be able to use as japanese phones are designed for certain networks.
I don't know is Canada using the same network as us over here in Australia. My girlfriend has one of them SH-01a. Pros: - Looks (unique look) - Good Camera Cons: - Cant use the download features eg. mobile TV, downloads, GPS and etc.. - Need to use hyperSim to load the sim card - Can't connect to 3G networks. Only 2G network (If you're with 3 network, you connect to them using there roaming network.)
just use i-nex hypersim and the reception should be better. some phones texting won't work but some will. for example the 920sh, it now has full functions.
news i heard from my friends mum that just came over from hk to holiday here, Australia. She said Japanese phone companies is cracking down on Japanese phone users in hk. something about phone company giving out fee or taking the phones. dont have details about it.
unlocking will work. but only for phone functions. data, 3G network functions will not be compatible. you will need to find a trustworthy unlocking store to unlock your phone. make sure that they unlock all 3 sets of network keys so that its open to all gsm bands in canada. again. depending on the phone, some may require special programs to unlock. and some can just be OTA unlock with a unlocking code.
If you are afraid of customs taxing you, just put the phone in your pocket and make it seem like its an old phone or the one you brought with you. Or you can declare it as a gift, I think.
personally customs don't care about the phone, they will prob assume it to be bought in the usa or something or as a gift and so it wouldn't rele do anything. they aren't the items that customs are looking for.
if ur goin to a place for a while u have spending limit and most of the time whe u go abroad in asia u can basically buy whatever you want..they rarely chek unless u bring something illegal such as weapons or drugs
