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General discussion

I'm in Japan.Is it safe to buy mobile?Recomendations?

Nov 2, 2005 9:48PM PST

I am currently in Japan for next two days. Was wondering if it was safe that is if Japanese products would work back in USA. I wanted to take advantage of how advanced the technology is here but would be pointless if it doesn't work back home in USA. If it is compatible what are some recommendations? Also does anyone have personal experience with bring things (ie: mobiles) back to US?Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, T

Discussion is locked

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It's been years but I share this.
Nov 2, 2005 9:57PM PST

I worked for a Motorola outfit some time back and we had to modify gear to work in Japan. The reasons were quite simple that Japan was protecting it's local market by making it's products (pagers, cell phones) different so outside mass producers would not flood their market.

I see no reason for them to change that and have read no changes to the contrary.

What cell phone you buy there is likely to work there unless it's GSM or another standard.

Bob

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Japan
Dec 19, 2005 5:24AM PST

PHS and CDMA are used in Japan. Pls make sure you buy a CDMA phone and unlocked. Good luck!

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japan
Feb 15, 2006 3:04PM PST

95% of the carriers in japan are 3g cdma, so if you buy a phone there it wont work with anyone in the us.cingular and tmobile use 2g gsm, and verizon and sprint use 2 different 2.5g cdma