DoCoMo to sell BlackBerry to individual users from August

Tuesday 08th July, 07:23 AM JST

TOKYO —

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

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Latest 15 of 17 Total Comments Show All

Youdontknow at 11:03 AM JST - 8th July

I don't get it! Softbank and DoCoMo in Yamaguchi are already selling these!
Youdontknow at 11:04 AM JST - 8th July

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
gogogo at 11:07 AM JST - 8th July

So docomo has given up on the iphone?
GW at 11:19 AM JST - 8th July

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!
Kijimuna at 11:22 AM JST - 8th July

Input Japanese or read only?
seimei at 12:32 PM JST - 8th July

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.
magpie at 01:10 PM JST - 8th July

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.
cactusJack at 01:27 PM JST - 8th July

for medium sized frames, packet size = 512 bytes, then 80,000*512/1,000,000 = 41MB ...41 megabytes.
Seiryu at 02:30 PM JST - 8th July

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?
Yikes at 04:58 PM JST - 8th July

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.
haytkayokomiya at 05:58 PM JST - 8th July

Taking a gamble? Blackberry was just rated at the least favourite of all mobiles.
jammer at 11:24 PM JST - 8th July

Thanks for the headsup magpie and Yikes. It is hard to figure out the differences.
Youdontknow at 11:45 PM JST - 8th July

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
kokuryu at 01:47 AM JST - 9th July

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...
Kijimuna at 02:29 AM JST - 9th July

Seimei, thanks for the link.