SMS (Short Message Service)

With SMS, you can use mobile phone numbers as an address to send and receive messages while using international roaming service. SMS is also available even outside the i-mode service areas as long as you are in countries and regions where voice communication is available.

noticeSMS is not available in some roaming service areas.

Searching communication charges / service areas

Sending SMS

Just input the other party's mobile phone numbers as the address. The main text can be up to 70 full-size hiragana/katakana characters or up to 160 half-size alphanumeric characters.

How to send

SMS (Short Message Service) | How to send

With SMS, the contents that can be sent and received depends upon the other party.

Other party Contents that can be sent and received
1. DOCOMO's mobile phone compatible with WORLD WING users while using international roaming services
FOMA users in Japan 		Hiragana/katakana characters, alphanumeric characters attention
2. Users of overseas roaming operator Half-size alphanumeric characters

attentionUsers of overseas mobile phone other than DOCOMO's mobile phone compatible with WORLD WING can send and receive half-size alphanumeric characters only.

1. From DOCOMO to DOCOMO

SMS (Short Message Service) | From DOCOMO to DOCOMO. Country of stay. DOCOMO's overseas mobile phone. Country of stay/other coountries. DOCOMO's overseas mobile phone. Japan. FOMA and mova users. ex.FOMA N900iG. (When sending to Japan mova users, the receiver it as i-mode mail. The receiver must ve an i-mode subsucriber.) Address:[Mobile phone number.] Text:[Hiragana/katakana characters, alphanumeric characters.] Only half-size alphanumeric characters can be used when sending from a local overseas mobile phone other than a WORLD WING-compatible mobile phone.

2. From DOCOMO to users of overseas roaming operator other than DOCOMO

SMS (Short Message Service) | From DOCOMO to users of overseas roaming operator other than DOCOMO. When sending a message to UK. Country of stay. DOCOMO's overseas mobile phone. Country of stay/other countries. Users of overseas roaming operator. ex.FOMA N900iG. Address:[Enter [+] then [Country code] then [Recipient's mobile phone number]. *Exclude the first "0" if the recipient's phone number begins with a "0".] Text:[Text Half-size alphanumeric characters.]

Check this for how to use SMS

Receiving SMS

SMS (Short Message Service) | The mark (ex. FOMA 705i) will appear on your standby screen when SMS is sent from the SMS center. Please check the Inbox.

  • attentionScreen display and controls differ depending on your mobile phone model. See the user's manual for details.
  • attention If in Japan you have set Reject SMS, you will also not be able to receive SMS messages while abroad.
  • attention Reject International SMS is a function that rejects all SMS sent from subscribers of overseas operators. It does not apply to DOCOMO users sending SMS from overseas.
  • attention Even when the SMS Rejection Settings (Reject All SMS, Reject Unidentified Caller ID SMS) are configured, you will continue to receive SMS notices from DOCOMO and missed call notification for roaming.

SMS are received and resent at the following time:

  • When a new message arrives at the SMS center.
  • When your mobile phone's power is turned to ON.
  • When you make or receive a call.
  • When you enter an area where services are available.

Roaming receiving notification SMS

If you have missed a call when you are in an out-of-service area or for other reasons while overseas, you will be notified when and who has made the call through an SMS message.

  • No fee to receive the message is incurred.
  • Voice roaming, videophone, and Push Talk are covered.
  • While PushTalk service is covered by Missed Call Notification Function, it is not available overseas.
  • Even when you use the voice mail service and have made the setting for Missed Call Notification Function, priority is placed on roaming receiving notification SMS messages.
  • You can also stop the roaming receiving notification SMS.

  • attentionThe roaming receiving notification SMS function is defaulted to "Start."
  • attentionIf you use the Voice Mail Service and have made the setting for the receiving notification function, the roaming receiving notification SMS has priority.
  • attentionIf returning to Japan with roaming receiving notification SMS messages stored at the Center because you are in an out-of-service area or have turned your mobile phone off, you will be notified in the form of roaming receiving notification SMS after returning to Japan.
  • attentionIn some models (SIMPURE L1, etc.), "Voice Mail Missed Call Notification" will be displayed in the subject. If "Overseas Missed Call Notification (Japanese time)" is displayed on the first line of the text, it will be regarded as roaming Missed Call Notification SMS.

SMS communication charge

Sending Receiving
¥100/message ¥0

Details of service area and communication charge Searching service area and communication charge (International roaming service)

  • attentionThe above charges will apply regardless of your charge plan.
  • attentionThe above charges will apply even when you use the arrival notification function.
  • attentionAll discount services will not apply.
  • attentionSMS communication charges are non-taxable.
  • attentionEven if you are in a service area, you cannot use Japanese in the message in some mobile phones you use. SMS messages you send or receive may not be properly displayed or you may not be able to send or receive messages, due to conditions at the overseas operator.
  • attentionIf you have made the setting for "Reject All SMS," "Reject Anonymous SMS," and "Reject International SMS" in Japan, you cannot receive any SMS also overseas.
    To change the setting in Japan, you have to select either of the following methods:
    • 1) Dial "*20184" and select "9: Release rejection setting,"
      or
    • 2) iMenu -> Charge & Application/Setting -> Option Setting -> Mail Setting -> Spam Mail Block -> Reject SMS Setting -> Select SMS you want to reject and select "Decision" -> Reply message is displayed.
    While overseas, you can select only 2) iMenu. Note that packet communication charges are incurred.
  • attentionWith "Reject International SMS," you can reject international SMS from users of overseas roaming operator. It will not apply to SMS from DOCOMO users who are using international roaming services.
  • attentionWhen a welcome message is received from overseas roaming operators, communication charges will not apply.
  • attentionWhile you use the services overseas, DOCOMO may use SMS to inform you of news etc. Such news will be received even if you have made the setting for rejecting SMS receiving etc. and will not be properly received or displayed depending upon your mobile phone. Receiving charges are free. You can return a mail to such news depending upon the mobile phone model you use. Note that communication charges may be incurred when you have sent the mail, regardless of whether the sending is completed or not.
  • attentionSMS is not available with FOMA M2501 HIGH-SPEED.
  • attentionWith an FOMA A2502 HIGH-SPEED, SMS is not available while overseas. However, note that you can send and receive SMS messages in some overseas roaming operators and that communication charges will be incurred when you send SMS messages.

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