Mobile in Japan

[...] e-mail a Steve Jobs se contradice sobre bloqueo SIM del iPad en Japónhttp://mobileinjapan.com/2010/05/13/s…por zuco hace 4 segundos Siguiendo con la política de bloquear las SIM, Apple Japan anuncia que los iPad 3G estarán bloqueados para usar otros operadores. De todas formas un e-mail dirigido a Steve Jobs revela lo contrario. Este responde que los iPad en Japón podrán usar cualquier SIM. Cual de las dos versiones será la correcta? Jobs o Apple Japan?sin comentarios  versión estándar » karma: 6  negativos: 0  usuarios: 1  anónimos: 0   if(top.location != self.location)top.location = self.location; var base_url="/"; var mobile_version = true; var base_static="http://aws.mnmstatic.net/"; var base_key="1273701859-0c5d94813fcb079de3174a60562fe4b886c6ccbf"; var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.&quot ; document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-229718-5"); pageTracker._setCookieTimeout("259200"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {} [...]

[...] MOBILE IN JAPANは、日本で販売されるiPadがSIMロックであると言われていることに対してスティーブジョブスにメールを送り、その返信でスティーブジョブスは [...]

Yeah, this is just getting started.

Nice post.

Oh damn, THIS is getting interesting. F*** Softbank

Actually the Japanese in that first item (on the post-update page) clearly says “you cannot use SIMs obtained in other countries with your iPad *in Japan*.” I assume this means (and that Jobs means) you’re welcome to take the Japan-bought iPad overseas, get a SIM from AT&T or whoever, and use it there.

[...] ところが、今日になってmobileinjapan.comに驚愕の記事が！ [...]

[...] in Japan：Steve Jobs CEO、日本のiPad with Wi-Fi + 3Gは海外のSIMは使えるとコメント Mobile in Japanが、Doug Lerner氏がSteve Jobs CEO宛に、日本のiPad with Wi-Fi + [...]

訂正されたFAQは「日本国内でiPadを海外で取得したSIMを入れて使おうとしても出来ませんよ」という当たり前のことを
敢えて紛らわしく言ってるだけ。。。

Durf, you’re right – it’s all suddenly clear now. I read right past the 日本では、and in my mind, it said “micro-SIMs purchased overseas cannot be used in the iPad”

So, that probably settles it. In Japan, only softbank. Everywhere else, you have a choice. Niiiiice.

[...] 元ネタはここmobileinjapan つまり実質的にdocomoだけをロックしたってわけですねー。 [...]

[...] Steve Jobs Says iPad in Japan Not Really SIM Locked « Mobile in Japan [...]

I think we’ll find that a very cleverly worded contract in Softbanks favor has forced Apple’s hand when it comes to the iPad.

The interesting question here is there a unique iPad model for Japan?

Just to confirm again, the terms & conditions do not say the iPad is SIM locked. It says that SIMs from overseas cannot be used *in Japan*, and to consult with Softbank about using the J-SIM overseas. I would strongly recommend putting an update at the top of this entry to this effect.

No, I don’t think that is it, My Site. It seems that the statement from the Apple site (?) is saying that in Japan, SIMs from overseas will not work. There are no providers for the W-CDMA 2100 (or whatever the iPad uses) in Japan that accept them. Neither Apple nor Softbank control this, though. They’re just stating current conditions.

Regarding use in Japan, not being able to use overseas SIMs does not mean other Japanese SIMs won’t work. B-mobile, eMobile, docomo, and softbank would all be able to issue a micro-SIM that would work with the iPad.

So, it is unlocked. It is the Japanese cell carrier system that is relatively locked.

I was going to have a go at you Miki, but I noticed the FAQ regarding 3G on the Apple US site has changed to almost match the JP site. If you compare it to the UK or AU it is different again.

AU/UK:
Can I use my iPad while traveling outside the country?
You can connect to Wi-Fi hotspots anywhere in the world. For 3G service, purchase a micro-SIM card and service from a local carrier at your destination, or check with your home carrier regarding international 3G usage.

US:
Can I use my iPad while traveling outside of the U.S.?
You can connect to Wi-Fi hotspots anywhere in the world. Please check with AT&T regarding international 3G usage.

JP:
国外でもiPadを使用できますか？
世界中どこでもWi-Fiホットスポットに接続できます。国際ローミングについては、ソフトバンクにご確認ください。

Very interesting.

This raises some questions – 1) What happens if I brought my US/UK/AU/etc iPad to Japan? Would data roaming work? 2) If not, why not? 3) And I bet my JP purchased iPad would work just fine overseas, so explain 1 & 2 to me.

What I’m getting from what’s written is that you couldn’t use the 3G here on your foreign bought iPad as Softbank seem to have specifically prohibited it. Why is anybody’s guess. Also they won’t sell you a card for your foreign bought iPad. Seems silly, but it’s their network and their choice. Probably once they start selling, Apple will put pressure on them to allow roaming and/or introduce a “premium” contract which costs more per month but can be cancelled any time without penalty. That would make sense from a business perspective.

You mean more premium than their already world-record expensive premium prices?

Until we have iPads in hands we won’t know for sure, but something smells fishy about all this – could it be possible there is no locking at all on the hardware, and only a contractual lockout to other carriers? (ie. Only Softbank can market to the iPad, but technically any micro-SIM would work?)

[...] http://mobileinjapan.com/2010/05/13/steve-jobs-says-ipad-in-japan-not-really-sim-locked/ [...]

[...] then, it looks like you have nothing to worry young Samurai! Catch the whole transcript over at Mobile in Japan.Subscribe to our RSS feeds. You can also follow our official Twitter account @macstoriesnet.Share [...]

I just received my US ipad here on Okinawa any ideas as to where I can start my hunt for service.

@ Coal Miki: How could softbank prevent a user-imported iPad from connecting to docomo? Softbank’s network would never even be pinged in the process. It is just the iPad and docomo. ‘Why’ softbank would prohibit this is not the problem here; ‘how’ is.

[...] CEO. “Actually, the version of iPad sold in Japan does accept international SIMs.”, replied Steve Jobs, but there is no change in the Apple Japan website, nor in Softbank’s policy. Here’s [...]

Seems to me that while the Japanese may leave room for mininterpretation, Jobs’ answer clears it up, although it can itself be misinterpreted, as most people here have done.

I think what’s happening here is that if you buy an iPad in Japan, you are tied to Softbank. If you go abroad, you can take your Softbank SIM out and put in an AT&T SIM (for example) when you go to the US and use AT&T while you’re in the US. But when you go back to Japan you’ll be forced to put the Softbank SIM back in and use them in Japan.

When a Japanese iPad is in Japan: Softbank only, on a contract.
When a Japanese iPad goes abroad: remove the Softbank SIM and use a local SIM.

[...] [mobileinjapan] 0AKPC_IDS += "1242,";Popularity: unranked [?] Like it? Share it: [...]

[...] in Japan、iPad の海外micro-SIM利用可能を示唆 by Editor under iPad Mobile in Japan は Steve Jobs Says iPad in Japan Not Really SIM Locked [...]

I got another couple of responses from Steve:

http://www.edandersen.com/2010/05/16/japan-ipad-3g-is-not-sim-locked-jobs-says-so/

He says the iPad is “not exactly” sim free. Very confused now.

[...] それに加えて、あるアップルファンの苦情に対して Jobs が最近メールで回答したことも混乱を引き起こした。彼いわく、「実は、日本国内で発売される iPad は国際的 SIM［複数］が利用できる」と。 In addition, CEO Jobs confused some people when he recently responded to an email complaint by one Apple fan saying: “Actually, the version of iPad sold in Japan does accept international SIMs.” [...]

While that makes sense, its impossible to do on the hardware side – which is why iPhones are locked to a single carrier.

Its either locked to one carrier, or its not locked at all – there is not middle ground.

I’ve been thinking about that – can you use an e-mobile data plan, cut down the SIM and use it in an iPad, or would they be checking the IMEI to make sure you aren’t cheating like that?

[...] è riuscito a farsi rispondere da Steve Jobs sull’argomento, il messaggio pubblicato da Mobile in Japan dice che l’iPad giapponese potrà utilizzare anche schede telefoniche di operatori [...]

[...] made during the iPad’s launch in January, when he said all iPad 3G models were unlocked. However, one site reported that the Japanese FAQ for the 3G iPad says that international SIMs won’t work in the iPad—that [...]

[...] la Micro SIM si funcionará, ese bloqueo sólo aplica en tierras niponas. Para complementar esto, por palabras del mismo CEO de Apple, Steve Jobs aseguró que “la versión del iPad que se venderá en Japón es compatible con [...]

[...] la Micro SIM si funcionará, ese bloqueo sólo aplica en tierras niponas. Para complementar esto, por palabras del mismo CEO de Apple, Steve Jobs aseguró que “la versión del iPad que se venderá en Japón es compatible con [...]

Apple.com FAQ has been updated. So in Japan we’re still Softbank only.

3Gデータプランについてよくあるご質問
iPad Wi-Fi + 3GモデルはソフトバンクのSIMカードのみに対応していますか？

日本で発売されるiPad Wi-Fi + 3Gモデルは、日本で使用する場合、iPad向け3Gデータプランを提供しているソフトバンクのmicro-SIMカードのみに対応します。海外で使用する際は、その国で発売されているmicro-SIMカードもご利用になれます。
その他の通信事業者のmicro-SIMカードを使って、日本で発売されるiPad Wi-Fi + 3Gモデルを海外で利用できますか？

日本で発売されるiPad Wi-Fi + 3Gモデルは、日本国内ではソフトバンクの3Gデータサービスのみに対応します。その他の国内通信事業者のmicro-SIMカードには対応しません。海外では、その国の通信事業者が提供しているmicro-SIMカードとデータプランを利用して、日本で発売されるiPad Wi-Fi + 3Gモデルを使用することができます。
micro-SIMカードはどこで手に入れられますか？

直営店のApple Store、またはiPad正規販売店でiPad Wi-Fi + 3Gモデルと一緒にmicro-SIMカードを購入できます。（日本国外で購入したiPad用に、micro-SIMカードを購入することはできません。）

[...] to a Mobile in Japan community member, we are able to report that Steve Jobs contradicts Softbank: Actually, the version of iPad sold in Japan does accept international [...]

[...] Steve Jobs Says iPad in Japan Not Really SIM Locked [...]

[...] Steve Jobs Says iPad in Japan Not Really SIM Locked [...]

[...] Steve Jobs Says iPad in Japan Not Really SIM Locked [...]

[...] Steve Jobs Says iPad in Japan Not Really SIM Locked [...]

[...] Steve Jobs Says iPad in Japan Not Really SIM Locked [...]

[...] Steve Jobs Says iPad in Japan Not Really SIM Locked [...]

[...] Steve Jobs Says iPad in Japan Not Really SIM Locked [...]

[...] Steve Jobs Says iPad in Japan Not Really SIM Locked [...]

eMobile wouldn’t work on the iPads or any UTMS device. They work on different bands.

If an international iPad is in Japan, it maybe able to roam on DoCoMo’s networks, just like how a AT&T iPhone 3GS would be able to roam on DoCoMo. But putting an unlocked iPad (or even an iPhone) on DoCoMo’s network using their SIM might be difficult, especially if you want to use their unlimited packet plan (Biz-Hodai). Apparently they do some weird stuff with authentication.

That’s sort of like saying that you wouldn’t be able to roam with a AT&T iPad 3G (using an AT&T sim) with a international plan in Japan…

It’s a bit more annoying. The latest text on store.apple.com/jp says more-or-less:
For iPad 3Gs sold in Japan, you can use the micro SIM from Softbank. When you want to use it overseas, you can use the microSIMs sold in that country.
The next block says, you can’t use microSIMS from other domestic carriers while in Japan. When overseas, you can use a microSIM and dataplan sold by those oversease carriers in your sold in japan iPad.
The third block is the dealkiller: “Where can I get a micro-SIM?”
You can purchase a microSIM together with an iPad3G from the AppleStore or iPad dealer. (For iPads bought outside of Japan, microSIM cards cannot be purchased)

Basically, “we won’t/can’t sell you a SIM” but you can use ours overseas and buy overseas SIMS.

[...] Steve Jobs Says iPad in Japan Not Really SIM Locked [...]

[...] operator suffered some frustration after Apple and Softbank locked the iPad nation-wide, forcing it to abandon plans of selling data plans for the device. Softbank has also kept a lead in [...]

[...] Apple or Softbank are releasing any official numbers on how many iPhones -and lately iPads- sold in Japan. The Cupertino company limits itself in pointing out the impressive growth in its [...]

Japanese are nuts and idiots.  Apple must have gotten tons of money from Softbank to give them exlusive distributership.  US purchased 3G iPad will never ever work in Japan unless you rent a Softbank-issued rounter for about $100 a week at the international airport.  Softbank stores in town do not have this.  You’ve got to get it at the airport.

So does this apply to ipad mini? If i buy ipad mini(3Gsim) in japan(softbank contract) THEN if i leave japan with the ipad mini , CAN I USE OTHER FOREIGN REGULAR SIMCARD IN THAT IPAD MINI? For eg: if i go to hongkong, can i put HK sim
Inside ipad mini (purchased in japan) Pls answer …