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DoCoMo to sell BlackBerry to individual users from August

17 Comments

NTT DoCoMo announced Monday that on August 1 it will launch the BlackBerry Internet service for direct connection to the Internet without the need for a dedicated server, responding to requests from individuals, as well as small to midsize businesses, who want a simple, convenient, low-cost system for Web browsing and email with their BlackBerry 8707h smartphones in Japan.

The BlackBerry 8707h will be sold through the company's online shop, corporate business division and DoCoMo shops' corporate business sections.

The BlackBerry Internet service will cost 3,045 yen per month (tax included). The FOMA basic monthly fee and normal packet charges will apply separately.

In addition, a discount packet-billing plan to be launched on Sept 1, called the BlackBerry Data Transmission Package, will enable users to transmit up to 80,000 packets of data per month for a flat charge of 1,680 yen. Data exceeding this limit will be charged at 0.0525 yen per packet.

DoCoMo will demonstrate the new BlackBerry Internet service during Wireless Japan 2008 at Tokyo Big Sight from July 22 to 24.

© JCN

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


17 Comments
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Will my unlocked Blackberry Pearl now work here? I was told that Softbank cards would work, but they don't. Wonder if the Docomo cards will work?

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" enable users to transmit up to 80,000 packets of data per month"

I guess I need someone to explain it to me like I'm a 5 year old. Actually the average 5 year old probably has a better grasp of what this means. What does this mean? Is there a kilobyte or megabyte conversion or comparison? For example how many packets is a 70k email. If I check out one youtube vid is that gonna blow my whole 'packet' allowance for the month? Softbank will offer unlimited data on the iphone for around 7000yen. 1680 sounds a lot better as long as I'm not exceeding my limit everytime I check out a google map.

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I don't get it! Softbank and DoCoMo in Yamaguchi are already selling these!

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So docomo has given up on the iphone?

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about bloody time!! wud be nice not to have to lug my laptop when I go to the big smoke from my lovely country home here!

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Input Japanese or read only?

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Kijimuna;

Here is a brief article on Japanese input from BB.

http://ap.blackberry.com/jpn/devices/features.jsp

I notice they are only selling the most ugly model in Japan. Give me the Perl or the Bold any day.

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To jammer: The Pearl won't work as it is a 2.5G machine. the only blackberry's that work in Japan are the 3G blackberries. Change SIM cardwon't help as the machines don't work at the 2.1Ghz frequency for 3G.

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for medium sized frames, packet size = 512 bytes, then 80,000*512/1,000,000 = 41MB ...41 megabytes.

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Seiryu -hearts- crackberry :D....

for medium sized frames, packet size = 512 bytes, then 80,000*512/1,000,000 = 41MB ...41 megabytes.

Mobile phone apps, though, tend to send in bursts of very small data packets (think e-mail, maps, etc), not to mention "chatty" protocols like IM and push-pull e-mail (fake push mails).

Just leave Outlook, MSN Messenger and AIM running 24/7 and see what your data bill comes up to. I think they call this "pakeshi" :P.

Any word on MTU?

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To use a blackberry in Japan the model must be able to receive the 2100mhz frequency. Currently the 8707h (the only model sold in Japan) and 8707g (common in HK and Singapore) work here. The 9000/bold will work once available as well as the Nokia E60/61 models which have blackberry connect interface. The 8707h model sold here is locked as well so you can't put in a SIM card from another country when you go overseas. You can get it unlocked in HK or Singapore if you want but you'll lose docomo support. Beware that when you try to download/view pdfs, spreadsheets in Japan on a bberry, it is very easy to pile on the packets.

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Taking a gamble? Blackberry was just rated at the least favourite of all mobiles.

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Thanks for the headsup magpie and Yikes. It is hard to figure out the differences.

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Blackberry was just rated at the least favourite of all mobiles.

I certainly wouldn't want one...they look like those old plastic label punches that your mother would make name labels from in the 1980's!

http://www.inyouriphone.com

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Interesting... I have had direct connect service here in the US all the time - did not realize it was not available elsewhere. It's a nice price for the basic service too - less than half what I pay...

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Seimei, thanks for the link.

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USB - yeah, the whole 'packets' thing is a bit of a lame duck really. I am sick of being billed for going over my packets, and I don't even use the damn things!

http://www.inyouriphone.com <--- has video info on the new iPhone 3G coming to Japan this week!

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