Please help! Getting internet in Tokyo

[ClareG]

Hey everyone,

I`m new in Japan and I want a cheap and easy way to go online both at home and outside. Basically, I am looking for a mobile broadband Internet connection. I know that all the main carriers offer this (I saw e-mobile even give away low-end PCs with their deals) but would really appreciate any advice people might have (who’s got best speed, who’s got best price etc).

Thanks.

[spicytuna]

Hi,

I posted this before but you might find it useful :
ISP Japan FAQ : ISDN, ADSL, FTTH, CATV Cable, VoIP & Mobile Phones ©2000-8 by Keith Wilkinson

[chiappa]

just an idea.. if you get a keitai contract with an unlimited data plan you might consider tethering. which is a bit tricky but could save money.. (4000/month with softbank) google to find out more

[Sangetsu]

Tethering works best if you have a smartphone with a mobile Windows operating system (these phones are expensive in Japan). You simply attach your phone to your notebook/pc, look up applications on the phone's Windows files, and scroll down to "internet sharing". Some phones and notebooks can be tethered via bluetooth, otherwise you can simply use the usb cable which comes with your phone.

[RSmith]

I was in the same position as you a few months ago and a friend of mine recommended using Doccica. It has no contracts or monthly bills so it’s pretty flexible. You just insert an USB into your laptop and you can get internet anywhere. I have a long commute to school so with Doccica, I could go online on the train. I bought it at Yamada Denki and it came with 500 minutes of internet access. When I run out of time, I buy more time with my credit card.
I hope this helps. Good luck!

[clintjm]

Originally Posted by ClareG

Hey everyone,

I`m new in Japan and I want a cheap and easy way to go online both at home and outside. Basically, I am looking for a mobile broadband Internet connection. I know that all the main carriers offer this (I saw e-mobile even give away low-end PCs with their deals) but would really appreciate any advice people might have (who’s got best speed, who’s got best price etc).

Thanks.

Well this may be stupid, but if you have access to a land line phone, and just need to do some light Internet at home:

Free Dial-up:
http://www.alpha-net.ne.jp/muryou/
無料プロバイダSoloot 公式サイト


You are not going to do multimedia or download anything, but E-mail, chat, blog, web are all there.

Of course one would still have to pay for the couple of yen per minute of having the line open... that is just added to the phone bill.

There are still enough Japanese phone booths with ISDN and and analog RJ-45 jacks to even do it on the run. This in combination with a simple keitai plan isn't a bad combo at the right price.

Frankly when I had a high speed "Air-card" many years ago, I didn't use it enough to justify the price to keep it that long. From what I see they haven't come down much in price. It depends on how much you want to spend; but beware of the FINE PRINT in that contract as far as cancellation - ;ask lots of questions.

I wish free wifi would become more available like in the states.

[RSmith]

Originally Posted by RSmith

I was in the same position as you a few months ago and a friend of mine recommended using Doccica. It has no contracts or monthly bills so it’s pretty flexible. You just insert an USB into your laptop and you can get internet anywhere. I have a long commute to school so with Doccica, I could go online on the train. I bought it at Yamada Denki and it came with 500 minutes of internet access. When I run out of time, I buy more time with my credit card.
I hope this helps. Good luck!

By the way, the product is called b-mobile Doccica (bモバイルドッチーカ）
You can check it out at www. bmobile.ne.jp