Hi, has anyone gotten a Japanese-model iPad with 4G (released last week) or at least the 3G version?  I'm not interested in wifi; I know how those work. But how is the cellular-connected iPad?  What sort of data plans are there & what do they cost?  There are no unlimited plans in the States; how about Japan?  And where do you buy these devices? 

The new 4G iPad can serve as a wifi hotspot for your notebook computers & other devices, but the feature has to be enabled by the cellular carrier.  Do any carriers in japan offer this service?

Thanks!

I'd be interested to find out which carriers allow tethering as well.

Simple answer; buying a new iPad at this time here is useless as there are 3 primary cellphone providers here in Japan. Docomo, AU and SoftBank, now out of those only Docomo offers 4G LTE network but here is the catch to that, docomo does not offer or deal with apple products eg, iPhone or iPad. AU and SoftBank are the only ones to deal with iPhone and iPhone/iPad respectibly, but they only provide 3G network. Now as far as the iPad/iPad2 you can purchase it through SoftBank with their unreliable 3G and you will be as frustrated as the owners of the iPhone unless you have an iPhone with AU, but AU does not currently deals with the iPad. So good luck and I hope this help you a bit.

I know that soft bank has the Bluetooth tether feature blocked on the iPhone so I doubt they'll let you tether a Japanese iPad also...if you look at the Macrumors.com forums and apples website it also says most countries outside of the USA DON'T get 4g speeds on their networks yet but the iPad will work on those counties 3G networks.

Here in Yoko the NEX sells an unlimited data prepaid sim from Bmobile that runs on the Docomo network.

It's not super fast but it works ok and if you buy it in 6 month cards it's only $64 per month vise $73 monthly.

Hope this helps...

Yes it will work on 3G network but what is the point of having a 4G LTE capable device when you can't use it to it's full potential. I've experieced 4G LTE and it is awesome.

Yeah, but it's not apples fault they built a device that one can't use to max potential in Japan (or several other countries)...

I got the 3G version of the ipad from onbase and sold it after learning that softbank would not support it if its not bought from them. You can just get the pocket-wifi with unlimited data plan and you can connect up to 5 wireless devices, including your wifi ipad.

Posted By yokosuka_kid on 03-22-2012 10:17 AM
  Pocket-wifi with unlimited data plan.

What do they charge for that?

Posted By yokota on 03-22-2012 11:39 AM

Posted By yokosuka_kid on 03-22-2012 10:17 AM
  Pocket-wifi with unlimited data plan.

What do they charge for that?

Check this site to give you an idea.
http://mb.softbank.jp/en/products/d...untus.html

This one is for their new 4G pocket-wifi that can connect up to 10 devices, according to them. I believe the speed will suffer greatly if you do that though.

http://mb.softbank.jp/en/products/d...101si.html

Great comments from everyone; thank you.

CrzDrft, I particularly appreciate your insightful analysis. It would be very disappointing to buy the new Japanese iPad only to find it's limited to 3G speeds. It seems like the only advantage of the new iPad in Japan is the improved screen & camera. I'm not discerning enough to appreciate the screen, so I might just as well get iPad 2. I already have the little Softbank wifi dinglebob (it's their 3G version, not the newer 4G one posted above.)

But wait a minute... an inconsistency! CrzDrft says Softbank does not have 4G cellular. Yet they sell a 4G wifi dinglebob. On their website it says: "Supports SoftBank's next generation high-speed 4G communication network." How does that jibe with CrzDrft's comment?

The problem with my HTC EVO that can tether 8 devices and those other tethering devices is the battery life is very poor.

If you get a 3G sim for the iPad, you still get 10 hours of connectivity at any time since the iPad will last a long time...then the drawback is you can only use the iPad though since it won't tether.

I have the iPad-2 WiFi only model make sure you get 3G on the model you are looking at otherwise you will be limited to hotspots, it's a good solution for my needs but if you want continuous operation get it with 3G or plan on carrying a mobile hotspot..

I figured out this apparent contradiction about SB's 4G. While everyone says they have only 3G, on their website they're selling a 4G mini-wifi hotspot. The reason is, they have 4G but only in Tokyo. The girls at SB had no idea if or when this would roll out nationwide.

Nice post! Thanks for sharing the info.

Yeah, SB told me that 4G is only in major cities. Tokyo and Yokohama are first. Kind of dumb for them to sell devices that can't be used the way they're intended.

Our SB in Iwakuni is NOT selling the new iPad for this very reason. I don't know about up there since you are closer to the 4G networks. If I wanted one, I'd probably end up buying direct from Apple.

Does anyone know if a iPad from stateside will work in Japan? Thanks.

Wi Fi will work and that is it unless you have an ATT iPad with a removable micro-SIM and can contract for one with a Japanese carrier.

I would question whether any Japanese carrier will offer such a contract. We haven't seen them do it with unlocked iPhones. It's an interesting question.

FWIW, my strategy -- if I were to get an iPad -- would be to buy a wifi-only model and use the mobile wifi thing that SB sells.  I already have one & use it with my Macbook & Kindle Fire, so it would be like getting "free" 3G for my iPad.  Not to mention that the wifi-only units are cheaper.

Ok thanks for the replies. I didn't want to purchase a iPad before I arrived there and find out I can't get any connectivity. I think I will go with the mobile wifi from SB once I arrive.

I know this might be off the subject, but can anybody tell me if you can buy the amazon fire HD in Japan or can you buy it online if so who sites ships to FPO,AP address

I know they started carrying the Kindle in the Nex and at the Aafes on Zama & Yokota, but I really haven't paid close attention to if they have the Kindle Fire yet or not. I've never even looked in town so, can't help there.

I can tell you for sure that until they change the rules you can't have ANYTHING with a lithium ion battery shipped via the post office.