Although there are some exceptions, most MVNOs that sell low-priced SIM cards called cheap SIMs rent lines from DoCoMo. It is not only the line that is borrowed. In Japan, the SIM card itself is also loaned by DoCoMo. From the terminal side, it is impossible to distinguish between Docomo and MVNO. As introduced in the 4th installment of the series, this is why "docomo" is displayed when inserted into a terminal.
In the 5th installment, we introduced SIM-free terminals, but if you don't care about regular sales, you can also use DoCoMo terminals. Some MVNOs also publish verification results when they are inserted into docomo terminals. This time, we will introduce how to buy docomo terminals and precautions.
"First cheap SIM & SIM fleece smartphone" back numberMany MVNO SIM cards are borrowed from DoCoMo, and the design of the SIM card is the same, and the DoCoMo logo is included. From the terminal side, it is recognized as a docomo SIM card. In other words, you don't necessarily need to get a SIM-free device to use an MVNO SIM card. If you have a contract with Docomo before using MVNO and have a terminal, you can just insert the MVNO SIM card. There are exceptions where 3G contract SIM cards cannot be used with LTE terminals, but in general, MVNO SIM cards can be used with most terminals.
The photo shows a SIM card issued by BIGLOBE, but the design of the card is exactly the same as that of Docomo, and the mount is also used as it is from Docomo. Not only BIGLOBE, but the situation is almost the same for MVNOs that rent lines from DoCoMo. The image is part of the operation verification page posted on the Japan Communication site. However, in Japan, in principle, terminals sold by carriers are tied to line contracts. Conversely, the device cannot be purchased separately. Despite wanting to use an MVNO SIM card, it's putting the cart before the horse to sign up for another line for the device. So, how should I buy DoCoMo handsets?
One way is to buy new or second hand. With the rise of smartphones, there has been a rapid increase in the number of second-hand dealers who sell devices purchased from users. Electric towns like Akihabara have many shops, and if you search the internet, you will find many mail-order companies. Some major home appliance mass retailers are also making such efforts. Compared to before, it can be said that the ease of buying a single terminal has increased dramatically. Such new and used terminals are also distributed on Internet auctions such as Yahoo Auctions.
In addition to physical stores, there are various vendors that sell new and second-hand smartphones online. The image is from the website of major second-hand company Iosys, which also has a physical store.When you say second-hand, it sounds like someone else's used device with scratches, etc., but if it's almost like new. There is also There are various circumstances in which new and old products are distributed, so it is not possible to generalize, but it seems that there are cases where people get tired of the terminal as soon as they buy it, or they buy the terminal for the purpose of exchanging money in the first place. Some people get cashback from MNP and sell devices for double profit. Of course, there are also cases where used terminals are sold to supplement new terminals, and the circumstances in which terminals are distributed vary widely.
Even if you buy it at these stores, you can rest assured that you can basically receive paid or free compensation. Since you cannot subscribe to a compensation service that involves a contract, such as the Mobile Phone Protection and Delivery Service, the repair fee will increase, but you can bring it to a docomo shop and request it without any problems. However, I would like to warn you about the so-called "Red Rom". Red Rom is a slang term for a terminal with "network usage restrictions" applied, and it came to be called this because the antenna pictogram was displayed in red. Restrictions apply if the original owner failed to pay the installment payment or if the device has been stolen.
This network usage restriction can be confirmed in advance on the DoCoMo site. Each mobile phone terminal is assigned an identification number called "IMEI", which is all managed by the carrier that sells the terminal. By entering this number into the site, you can determine if your device is secure. Kind second-hand shops sometimes post the results of this confirmation for each terminal. The same is true for auctions, which is why some sellers write IMEI in the description column. Conversely, if you do not know the confirmation result of the terminal you are trying to buy, or if you do not tell us the IMEI at the auction, you need to decide whether to purchase after considering the risk.
Docomo's "network usage restriction mobile phone confirmation site". By entering the serial number here, you can check whether the device was obtained illegallyThe "Xperia Z1 SO-01F" that I purchased in October 2013 as a trial. When I entered the IMEI, the result was displayed as "○". However, a "△" is displayed on a terminal that has just been bought or a terminal that has not been paid in installments, so it is very difficult to judge. There are also second-hand shops that offer guarantees in the event that usage restrictions are applied, so it can be said that it is safer to use such shops.
In terms of variation, docomo terminals are richer and more valuable than SIM-free terminals and terminals sold by MVNOs. It's a way of betraying the current situation that many MVNOs use DoCoMo's SIM cards, but as a user, there's no reason not to use it. There is also a method of obtaining a SoftBank terminal that uses the same communication method and has SIM unlocking for some models. The number of compatible models is as small as 4, but I would like to keep it in mind as one of the options. However, the carrier model has some restrictions on functions. I would like to explain about this next time.
DOCOMO handles a wide range of handsets each season. Given the breadth of variety, currently one option is to get a Docomo terminal. I need it. Even for overseas models, the communication method is almost the same as in Japan, and it can often be used as long as there is a frequency. As long as the carrier accepts international roaming, there will be few cases where you cannot connect.However, these models, with some exceptions such as "iPhone 5" and "Nexus 4", have acquired the "Technical Standards Conformity Certification", commonly known as "Technical Conformity", required for use in Japan. often not. Based on the viewpoint that radio waves are a limited resource, rules have been established around the world. Simply put, in Japan, it is illegal for a wireless device that does not have this technical standard to transmit radio waves, and violations are punishable by fines and imprisonment. Some second-hand stores sell such terminals, but users should be aware that "useful" and "good to use" are completely different things.
*At the time of first publication, "Technical Standards Conformity Certification" was referred to as "Technical Standards Conformity Certification", but in the text, "Technical Standards Conformity Certification" is correct. We apologize for the correction. In Japan, it is also necessary to acquire "technical standards conformity certification" for terminals connected to communication lines (4/7 13:56). Previously, the Technical Conformity Mark had to be displayed physically, such as on the back of the battery pack or on the back of the device, but due to the revision of the law, it is now possible to display it on the screen. Devices that cannot display this mark are illegal. →「SIM LABO」