Procedure to Use Another Carrier's Mobile Phone or Other Device with a docomo SIM Card

Confirm the notes below before using a docomo SIM Card with another carrier's mobile phone or other device. If you do not have a DOCOMO line subscription, take the other carrier's mobile phone or other device to a docomo Shop and you will be provided with a docomo SIM Card after you confirm the notes. Furthermore, if the other carrier's mobile phone or other device is compatible with docomo mini UIM Card or docomo nano UIM Card, you will be provided with a docomo mini UIM Card or docomo nano UIM Card.

Another carrier's mobile phone or other device12 1 Mobile phones and other devices include HSPC and mobile Wi-Fi routers. 2 Excluding products with the SIM lock set (the SIM lock is not unlocked).

Prepare the documents and other items required to make a new subscription.

Documents Verifying Identity

When you have a DOCOMO line subscription and will change from a FOMA Card or docomo UIM Card to a docomo mini UIM Card or docomo nano UIM Card, the FOMA Card or docomo UIM Card is required.

New contract handling fee: ¥3,150

Card issuance charge: ¥2,100

Procedures can be carried out at docomo Shops.

Business hours differ by shop. See the pages of individual shops for details.

Search for nearby docomo Shops

It is not possible to change from a docomo mini UIM Card to a docomo UIM Card (FOMA Card) and vice versa, from a docomo nano UIM Card to a docomo UIM Card (FOMA Card) and vice versa, and from a docomo mini UIM Card to a docomo nano UIM Card and vice versa at a regular retailer or mass retailer.
If you are already using a docomo mini UIM Card or docomo nano UIM Card and wish to purchase a handset compatible with a UIM Card of a shape that is different from the one currently used at a regular retailer or mass retailer, make a request for the UIM Card to be changed at a docomo Shop.

The following other carriers' mobile phones and other devices cannot be used for the communications services (FOMA service, Xi "crossy" service, etc.) provided by DOCOMO.

• Mobile phones and other devices that are only compatible with transmission methods that differ from those provided by DOCOMO (e.g.: mobile phones and other devices sold under the au brand)
• Mobile phones and other devices with the SIM lock set (e.g.: mobile phones and other devices that are sold under the SoftBank, EMOBILE, Disney Mobile, and other brands and that do not have the SIM lock unlocked)

With regards to using another carrier's mobile phone with a FOMA Card, docomo UIM Card, a docomo mini UIM Card or docomo nano UIM Card inserted, DOCOMO does not, in principle, carry out operation checks on other carriers' mobile phones and so does not whatsoever guarantee operation. For the setting and operating procedures of another carrier's mobile phone, confirm them yourself or contact, for example, the dealer. Furthermore, there may be restrictions on the services, functions, downloaded applications, etc. that can be used when using another carrier's mobile phone with a FOMA Card, docomo UIM Card, a docomo mini UIM Card or docomo nano UIM Card inserted.3

3 Monthly charges will apply even if you cannot use the services and content provided by DOCOMO.

• Use a device that is compatible with the shape of a docomo nano UIM Card. Using a device that is not compatible with the shape of a docomo nano UIM Card may result in a loss of data or a malfunction.
• At this point in time, the only device that DOCOMO has confirmed to be compatible with the nano UIM card is Apple's iPhone 5. Before inserting a docomo nano UIM Card to use a docomo communications service (FOMA Service, Xi "crossy" Service, etc.), make sure that you are aware of the following limitations.
  • LTE communications are not available.4
  • FOMA (3G) communications that use the 800 MHz and 1.7 GHz bands are not available.5

• 4 Please note that communications will be FOMA (3G) communications even in a Xi service area.
• 5 Please note that communications will not be possible in areas with only the 800 MHz and 1.7 GHz bands such as a FOMA Plus area.

You can apply to use another carrier's mobile phone with a billing system for the various billing plans, discount services, etc. that is the same as when a DOCOMO brand device is used. For details on the billing plans provided by DOCOMO, check the Charges webpages. Furthermore, please note that the packet communications charges incurred for packet communications made in Japan with another carrier's mobile phone will be handled as follows.

• If you are using a FOMA service and are subscribed to Pake-hodai double, Pake-hodai simple, Pake-hodai FLAT, or Pake-hodai double 2, communications will not be applicable to DOCOMO i-mode communications, i-mode Full Browser communications, and smartphone flat-rate communications even in the case of communications using the browser function of the other carrier's mobile phone and thus the charge limit for communications when connected to a PC or other external device will become ¥8,190.
  However, when the other carrier's mobile phone is a mobile phone for which DOCOMO has verified that tethering is not supported, etc., you can set an access point specified by DOCOMO6 for that mobile phone. Packet communications after the setting is configured will be applicable to the flat-rate charge and charge limit of smartphone flat-rate communications78. With regards to which mobile phones are applicable, DOCOMO provides notification on the DOCOMO website whenever it verifies that another carrier's mobile phone does not support tethering. At this point in time, the following mobile phones are applicable.

Applicable model	Date from which applicable
STAR7 SoftBank 009Z Model for which the first 8 digits of the manufacturing number are "35772204".	From Thursday, January 19, 2012
SoftBank 008Z Model for which the first 8 digits of the manufacturing number are "35732604".	From Wednesday, August 31, 2011

• If you are using a FOMA service and are subscribed to Pake-hodai, Pake-hodai full, or Biz-hodai, flat-rate communications will not be applicable just as described in and thus you will be charged at a measured rate, so we recommend changing to Pake-hodai double, Pake-hodai simple, Pake-hodai FLAT, or Pake-hodai double 2.
• If you are subscribed to a flat-rate data plan, applicable communications will be limited to only communications made by connecting to a flat-rate access point. Also, VOIP, file exchange, and some other communications may not be available. Please note that communications made by connecting to other than a flat-rate access point will not be treated as flat-rate communications and you will be charged at a measured rate.

• 6 For the access point information of mopera U, please check the Page will open in a new window.setting procedure (using another carrier's product with a docomo SIM Card) (in Japanese only).
• 7 When subscribed to Pake-hodai FLAT: Flat-rate monthly charge of ¥5,460
• 8 When subscribed to Pake-hodai double, Pake-hodai simple, Pake-hodai double 2: Monthly limit of ¥5,985

DOCOMO does not handle the repairs of other carriers' mobile phones. Contact the place of purchase, etc.9

9 Please note that where to submit a mobile phone for repairs differs depending on the carrier.

Before using DOCOMO's communications services, confirm that the other carrier's mobile phone has received Technical Regulations Conformity Certification, etc.
A mobile phone that has received Technical Regulations Conformity Certification, etc. will have a conformity mark. DOCOMO may refuse to allow another carrier's mobile phone that does not have a conformity mark to connect to the DOCOMO network because it is in violation of the Radio Law. For details, see the Page will open in a new window.Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications website.

DOCOMO bears responsibility for trouble with the FOMA Card, docomo UIM Card, a docomo mini UIM Card or docomo nano UIM Card and failures of DOCOMO communications services that are within the scope of liability described in the terms of the DOCOMO subscription agreement of each service but bears no responsibility whatsoever for any problem caused by another carrier's mobile phone.