Wireless help

blackrain · 05-05-2008, 06:52 AM

Okay my little techno geek squad I need help. I'll be going to Japan sometime this yr. At this moment I have SPRINT wireless service. Here's the ass kicker. They are not sure it can be used in Japan.
What I need is a wireless card that I can use overseas and not get charged an arm and a leg.
So help a guy out who can barely turn on a computor.
Later,
Blackrain

Kindred · 05-05-2008, 08:15 AM

POSSIBLY ATT/Cingular.
I'm about the only one in our office left using hte ATT card, just about everyone else has switched over to Verizon, especially anyone who travels internationaly.

Almost definately Verizon.

Our experience has been that while ATT works in damn near every country we send people to, it seldom works particularly WELL outside of the US.

bmann61 · 05-05-2008, 11:33 AM

t-mobile is always an options, but something to remember about japan is the whole country is using 3G, so using a gsm phone is not possible, but there is the options of finding wi-fi locations and getting on the internet that way, if you have any other questions pm me and i can help you as best as i can.

i have worked on the technical side at t-mobile for over 3 years

BigAlPoulos · 05-05-2008, 11:50 AM

japan? dont they have wireless like everywhere? At least when i was there..

Critical · 05-05-2008, 12:13 PM

*Note - I am a Sprint employee*

Sprint will not work in Japan, nor will the average "phone off the shelf" for any of the carriers in the US. Japan uses technology that is totally different from everyone else. Please read this, it is an article that discusses, in depth, what works, what doesn't, and how you can get a phone. It looks like your best bet is to rent a phone, however, it does cost an arm, and most of a leg. Here is a website offering aircard rentals in Japan.

Your better bet may be hoping for wi-fi access.

bmann61 · 05-05-2008, 12:27 PM

awsome critical! i was looking for a similiar link in systems here at t-mobile but i wasn't able to find it, but what you have really sums it up.

wi-fi it is

blackrain · 05-05-2008, 03:57 PM

Critical,
Thanks for the info. I guess I'll be paying more then I want, but it's fine. Either way I need my internet. No sense in not being connected to the world lol. I really hope sprint comes up with something for over seas, this is going to be a yearly stop fo me now.
Later,
Blackrain

Critical · 05-05-2008, 04:20 PM

well, unfortunately, nothing works there, really for anyone. your best may be to convince the office to activate one under the company name in Japan that you can pick up when you arrive. Otherwise, you're back to the arm & leg scenario.

Shiba-Kun · 05-06-2008, 04:46 PM

Is www access a necessity (like it's for work, etc.)?

Most modern hotels have coin-op PC's. Ditto for semi-communal "mansions". If it's just to check your e-mails, log onto MCB, etc. then it might be worth it to just get your travel agent to look into internet accomodations before you book any reservations.

I think I paid 500Y per 10 minute sessions when I was last there (Fall 07). Less then $4.50/10 minutes at that time. OK for a quicky e-mail check, but not long enough for a surfing session.

The only problem would be if you lack even basic language skills as the homepages will be in Japanese and such. So just finding the search engine might take a little bit of trail and error. Also the keyboards most likely will have hiragana text on them, further complicating your typing if you toggle back-n-forth accidentally from Japanese to English.

Internet cafes are also an option.

blackrain · 05-08-2008, 06:27 AM

I'll have to check internet connection where I'll be staying. Maybe that will be a part of the deal. I have the power converter for the plane and local power.
Thanks,
Blackrain

05-05-2008, 06:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
blackrain MCB Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: America Posts: 2,612	Wireless help Okay my little techno geek squad I need help. I'll be going to Japan sometime this yr. At this moment I have SPRINT wireless service. Here's the ass kicker. They are not sure it can be used in Japan. What I need is a wireless card that I can use overseas and not get charged an arm and a leg. So help a guy out who can barely turn on a computor. Later, Blackrain __________________ Rogue Leader and founder "TEAM ROGUE" Cell #0 "When all else fails,pull the pin and see what happens next" Just like to make crazy stuff for paintball? Click on the link: http://www.freepaintballplans.com/forum/ My feed back: http://www.mcarterbrown.com/forums/showthread.php?t=745 How Paintballs are made: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...54640369281174

05-05-2008, 08:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kindred Mod & Underwear Model Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Neshanic Station, NJ Posts: 1,866	POSSIBLY ATT/Cingular. I'm about the only one in our office left using hte ATT card, just about everyone else has switched over to Verizon, especially anyone who travels internationaly. Almost definately Verizon. Our experience has been that while ATT works in damn near every country we send people to, it seldom works particularly WELL outside of the US. __________________ Strive for that moment when you're only a slice of pizza and a hooker away from paradise. -------------------- Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes made of ticky tacky

05-05-2008, 11:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
bmann61 MCB Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: easton, pa Posts: 142	t-mobile is always an options, but something to remember about japan is the whole country is using 3G, so using a gsm phone is not possible, but there is the options of finding wi-fi locations and getting on the internet that way, if you have any other questions pm me and i can help you as best as i can. i have worked on the technical side at t-mobile for over 3 years __________________ hey funny fat guys have more luck with the ladies than fat guys!!!!

05-05-2008, 11:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
BigAlPoulos Rec Poster Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 91	japan? dont they have wireless like everywhere? At least when i was there.. __________________ Putting away the AGG and bringing out the Hawaiian Feedback on AOG, Here, and PBN, same name on all 3.

05-05-2008, 12:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
bmann61 MCB Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: easton, pa Posts: 142	awsome critical! i was looking for a similiar link in systems here at t-mobile but i wasn't able to find it, but what you have really sums it up. wi-fi it is __________________ hey funny fat guys have more luck with the ladies than fat guys!!!!

05-05-2008, 12:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
Critical Active Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 123	Note - I am a Sprint employee Sprint will not work in Japan, nor will the average "phone off the shelf" for any of the carriers in the US. Japan uses technology that is totally different from everyone else. Please read this, it is an article that discusses, in depth, what works, what doesn't, and how you can get a phone. It looks like your best bet is to rent a phone, however, it does cost an arm, and most of a leg. Here is a website offering aircard rentals in Japan. Your better bet may be hoping for wi-fi access.

05-05-2008, 03:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
blackrain MCB Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: America Posts: 2,612	Critical, Thanks for the info. I guess I'll be paying more then I want, but it's fine. Either way I need my internet. No sense in not being connected to the world lol. I really hope sprint comes up with something for over seas, this is going to be a yearly stop fo me now. Later, Blackrain __________________ Rogue Leader and founder "TEAM ROGUE" Cell #0 "When all else fails,pull the pin and see what happens next" Just like to make crazy stuff for paintball? Click on the link: http://www.freepaintballplans.com/forum/ My feed back: http://www.mcarterbrown.com/forums/showthread.php?t=745 How Paintballs are made: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...54640369281174

05-05-2008, 04:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
Critical Active Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 123	well, unfortunately, nothing works there, really for anyone. your best may be to convince the office to activate one under the company name in Japan that you can pick up when you arrive. Otherwise, you're back to the arm & leg scenario.

05-06-2008, 04:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
Shiba-Kun MCB Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,169	Is www access a necessity (like it's for work, etc.)? Most modern hotels have coin-op PC's. Ditto for semi-communal "mansions". If it's just to check your e-mails, log onto MCB, etc. then it might be worth it to just get your travel agent to look into internet accomodations before you book any reservations. I think I paid 500Y per 10 minute sessions when I was last there (Fall 07). Less then $4.50/10 minutes at that time. OK for a quicky e-mail check, but not long enough for a surfing session. The only problem would be if you lack even basic language skills as the homepages will be in Japanese and such. So just finding the search engine might take a little bit of trail and error. Also the keyboards most likely will have hiragana text on them, further complicating your typing if you toggle back-n-forth accidentally from Japanese to English. Internet cafes are also an option.

05-08-2008, 06:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
blackrain MCB Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: America Posts: 2,612	I'll have to check internet connection where I'll be staying. Maybe that will be a part of the deal. I have the power converter for the plane and local power. Thanks, Blackrain __________________ Rogue Leader and founder "TEAM ROGUE" Cell #0 "When all else fails,pull the pin and see what happens next" Just like to make crazy stuff for paintball? Click on the link: http://www.freepaintballplans.com/forum/ My feed back: http://www.mcarterbrown.com/forums/showthread.php?t=745 How Paintballs are made: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...54640369281174