Things to check before departure

Available services differ depending on your destination. Please check in advance.
Furthermore, please be sure to use a FOMA AC Adapter 02 or a FOMA AC Adapter 01 for Global use to charge your mobile phone overseas.
(Depending on the model, the AC adapter supplied with your handset must be used.)

1. Check your mobile phone and destination

2. Check your AC adapter

3. Check the billing system for overseas usage

1. Check your mobile phone and destination

[Two types of WORLD WING compatible handsets]3G+GSM area compatible handsets: Service is available in the 3G areas, GSM areas, and GPRS areas of overseas operators who have entered an agreement with DOCOMO.(in Japanese only) / 3G area compatible handsets: Service is available only in the 3G areas of overseas operators who have entered an agreement with DOCOMO.(in Japanese only)[Service areas (compatible areas)]GSM(GPRS) / 3G

Regarding 850 MHz areas

Regarding 3G 850

Some countries and regions supporting 3G use a different frequency (3G 850 MHz) than that used in regular 3G areas. In such areas, 3G service is only available with 3G 850 MHz compatible handsets. Furthermore, 3G+GSM compatible handsets can be used in the GSM area of such countries and regions.

[3G 850 compatible countries/regions]
Some cities in mainland USA, Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Thailand, Argentina, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, and Mexico, the entire island of Guam, etc.

[Regular 3G and 3G 850 MHz compatible countries/regions]
Brazil, Australia, etc.

noticeThere are regular 3G areas and 3G 850 areas in Brazil and Australia which differ depending on the city. Please be sure to check the compatible areas of your destination city on the DOCOMO International Services website before leaving Japan.

Regarding GSM 850

Some countries and regions supporting GSM use a different frequency (GSM 850 MHz) than that used in regular GSM areas, and only GSM 850 area compatible handsets can be used.

[GSM 850 compatible countries/regions]
Some cities in Panama, Ecuador, Montserrat, Brazil, and Paraguay.

  • noticeIn 3G areas in some cities in Panama and Ecuador, 3G 850 area compatible handsets can also be used.
  • noticeIn some cities in Ecuador, 3G+GSM area compatible handsets can also be used.

Please check in advance whether your mobile phone can be used at your destination.

Voice/data communications charges and service areas for using your mobile phone overseas (in Japanese only)

For those who do not have a roaming mobile phone

Overseas handset rental (in Japanese only)

2. Check your AC adapter

Important:When you use your handset overseas, battery consumption may be greater than in Japan. Therefore, please take your AC adapter with you even on short trips. Please be sure to use a FOMA AC Adapter 02 or a FOMA AC Adapter 01 for Global use to charge your mobile phone overseas. *A plug adapter that fits the plugs in the country you are visiting may be required when using an AC adapter abroad. (Please prepare your own plug adapter.) *The AC adapter above supports 100 to 240 V AC. Please do not charge the phone using a power transformer for overseas travel. *Using an AC adapter that was not designed for overseas use may cause a malfunction. *For some models, the AC adapter supplied with the handset must be used. Please check the user's manual.

3. Check the billing system for overseas usage

Differences with Japan

Understand overseas communications methods and the system of communications charges, and use them to your advantage!

Calls
  • Incoming call charges will apply when you receive calls while overseas (including when calls are received by the Voice Memo function).
  • There are cases where voice/data communications charges will be incurred even for toll-free calls, prepaid card calls, etc. However, charges will not apply for calls to local police, ambulance, and other emergency services (excluding some countries and regions).
i-mode mail and i-mode
  • A minimum charge will be incurred for each access overseas. The billing system of packet communications is different from that in Japan.
  • Packet communications charges may also occur automatically overseas in the same way as in Japan.
Data communications
  • Please note that data communications made via connection to a PC etc. may become extremely high as data communications made during international roaming are charged at a measured rate.
  • You can use the PC software docomo Connection Manager (in Japanese only) to determine the number of bytes of data sent and received via packet communications and obtain an estimate of applicable charges.

For docomo Connection Manager, see here (in Japanese only).
About Global Pake-hodai
  • Overseas packet communications can be used under a daily flat rate by connecting to a Global Pake-hodai compatible operator.

Global Pake-hodai

How voice communications charges are billed

The billing system while using the international roaming service differs from that in Japan.

The Japanese phone number is used, so calls are received via Japan

Incoming call charges apply for receiving calls. When you use your phone overseas, since you use your Japanese phone number, the calls you receive are made to Japan and then forwarded to your destination via Japan. Therefore incoming call charges are incurred by the receiver of the call.

Voice/data communications charges and service areas for using your mobile phone overseas

Calling from your destination Example / Receiving calls at your destination Example

Communications allowances can be used.
WORLD SERVICE Allowances apply

Allowances can be used to cover voice/data communications charges for international services.

noticeDiscounts that apply to communications in Japan do not apply to packet communications made overseas.

Communications allowances included in billing plans and Packet Packs cannot be applied to Global Pake-hodai communications charges.

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