Anyone have a recommendation for a wireless 3G modem for a laptop?  I've given up on getting my phone to work with the internet so am now looking for a laptop hookup.

The Softbank kiosk on base at Sasebo says that they don't have anything.

I use Emobile.

I have internet everywhere throughout Japan.

I love it! I even have coverage on the trains..

Look into Yahoo BB. I think it's offered by docomo. Be careful; sometimes you can use a phone as a modem and just hook your laptop to it. But if it's not specifically a laptop data plan this can get VERY expensive, like 100's of dollars per month. But if you have a broadband plan the price will be reasonable.

Thanks - about how much does the emobile plan cost?

Found it.

Softbank carries the e-Mobile modem. It's 4600Y a month for the unlimited data plan. And they have a special right not where the modem is free and no contract. Just a 2500Y setup fee.

No More dropped websites at Galaxies or the Food Court wooooo-hooooo

Sorry Allan I never responded to your question about how much it was.

Yes thats a GREAT GREAT deal!

I had to buy my modem which was around $150, and I pay around $60 a month for unlimited service with a 1 year contract.

I dont worry to much about the discount you just got. I would pay $100 if I had to for this service! I love it. The speed is different based on your location. In Toyko its very very fast. Down here near Yokosuka I still see about 3 bars, which gives me a pretty fast rate. I am able to do anything I need for JB, and the site responds pretty fast. Glad everything worked out for you.

Well, we had some translation problems, but I think I've got the 5mps model.

My guess is they are looking to offload the stock given that everyone is generally moving to smart phones.

Hi, I wanted to dust off this topic cuz things change all the time.

So... anyone know what's the best deals right now on cellular-type internet service for your computer? I saw something at Softbank off base, so the ad was all in Japanese. It looks like "wifi in your pocket." It's a device that make an internet connection via the Softbank cell network, then converts the signal to wifi, and any device nearby can connect. I didn't catch the price or terms.

Allan, is this the emobile service you mentioned or it's something new?

Also, anyone know what Au or docomo offer? I'm tired of a nation of wifi-less cafes; it's time to find a new solution. Thank you so much for any info!

/bump/ so anyone know anything about this? Anyone have cellular service for their laptop? I'm ready to sign up but having a hard time figuring out the deals at the different mobile companies. Thanks!

Sorry - I missed the previous message.

It's a softbank plan - it's just a SIM card on their data plan that plugs into a USB adapter for your computer.  I'm using it now in fact - coverage is pretty good and bandwidth is more than acceptable for casual use.

My first go around they gave me the USB adapter for free, but I lost it and had to pay a chunk o' cash to replace it ($200, I think).

DoCoMo I think offers something similar.

What I'm keeping my eye out is on the new Android phones - at least stateside the latest OS version offers tethering and telephony built in.  I might go that route and consolidate devices. 

So I went to Softbank on base (Iwakuni) yesterday and they said they no longer offer wireless internet service. I asked "You mean softbank doesn't have it, or just this shop?". They said just the shop on base cuz the Marines complain a lot about bad signal on base, so they stop selling it (rather than installing a repeater to cover the dead zones, duh!) It's true that softbank phone coverage is pretty bad in many areas on the base; I have to go outside and walk around just to get a signal sometimes. Inside most buildings (food court, library, commissary, chapel) there is no signal. The salesgirls privately told me that DoCoMo was no better. :-(