Japanese iPhone in Germany

Hey there!
I bought this year an iPhone in Japan, through SoftBank
with a contract. A few weeks ago I moved back to Germany
and tried using a prepaid-card, which didn't work, because
there's a SIM-Lock blocking it.
One question is, in Germany, usually when you buy a phone
and pay it off immidiately, it is unlocked. Isn't it everywhere
like that?
And my second question is, is apple able to do something for me?
I called a few days ago in the US, to figure out what I could do,
because I can't use it at all right now.
She told me, I would have to call my old provider, which is SoftBank,
to talk to them. Well, when we bought the phones, I already asked,
how it would work, if I wanna use it in Germany and she said,
that unlocking the phone is illegal at all in Japan.
I know, it's not legal to unlock it, but in Germany when you buy
a phone with a conract, it is unlocked and when you buy pre-paid,
it is locked.
What can I do? It is a half year old, am I gonna throw it
away now?

Different countries and different network providers have different laws and policies regarding SIM unlocking.
If your phone is locked to Softbank, only they can unlock it for you, however, according to the document below, Softbank do not offer authorised unlocking:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937
so it would seem your only option is to sell your current iPhone and buy a new one

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Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.
Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

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(93532)

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It would probably be to your advantage to wait until the European release of the iPhone and see how they handle SIM issues there. European phone activation and use is a lot different then in the U.S, some would argue that it is better, and so what marketing techniques work here, may not apply in Germany or other countries.
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iPhone = how I rank the iPhone feature on a 0-10 scale
current = how I rank my current Japanese cell phone on a 0-10 scale
weight = how important I think the feature is on a 0-10 scale
(1) Web Surfing - iPhone 10 / current 3 / weight 10
The iPhone's browser is clearly the best cell phone web browser anywhere.
(2) Camera Still - iPhone 3 / current 5 / weight 8
My current cell phone's quality has never been pleasing, and is the same 2 megapixel resolution of the iPhone. But it does have a flash and an image stabilizer, neither of which the iPhone has.
(3) Camera Video - iPhone 0 / current 6 / weight 8
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(5) Cut and Paste - iPhone 0 / current phone 5 / weight 3
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Thanks!
doug

(3) Apple didn`t include video support because of the quality of the 2 MP camera, they are known as being the best in video and photography, so enabling video would result in a poor quality, Apple`s approach on this was all or nothing.
(9) It supports loads of attachments such as PDF, DOC, images, that can be saved to the phone, or attached right after making them from the Camera Roll, and actually it supports push email, via the "Mobile Me" service from Apple (.Mac). This requires a anual payment, but it`s not that expensive, considering that you can use it with PC`s, Macs, and your phone.
(10) The iPhones keyboard is the best I`ve ever used, i takes about a week to write fast, and about 2 to be a pro, and I mean really fast :))
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Hello,
My question is: Is it possible to use an iphone purchased in Japan (with a japanese sim card) in Europe with a european Sim card. I know it has to be unlocked but that's not a problem. My concern is the Sim card.
Thank you for your help.

roaminggnome wrote:
Japanese carriers do not unlock iPhones at all nor are unlocked iPhones sold in Japan.
I believe that Apple started selling unlocked phones directly sometime last year.

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Think's

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I contacted Softbank yesterday about the possibility of using my AT&T iPhone in Japan on their network and simply renting a sim card. Here is the text from their reply. I hope it is helpful.
Dear #####,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Differing from regular SIM cards, we have iPHONE SIM cards specialized for iPhone users.
For your reference, please check:
iPhone SIM card:
Available Airport: Narita Airport, Central Japan Int’l Airport, and Kansai Int’l Airport.
Reservation: Not available (Due to the small inventory for iPhone SIM cards, we rent iPhone Sim cards by first comes, first serves bases.
Please check the stock at the airport counter on the day of your arrival.)
Rental Fee: 105JPY/ Day
Call Charge: 105JPY/ Minutes
Incoming Charge: Free (Including Int’l calls)
SMS: (Sending) 15JPY/ Msg (Receiving) Free
Web/MMS: Please refer to the following information.
Please make sure your iPhones are unlocked to your carrier in the US (AT&T).
For further queries, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Customer Care
[email protected]
GSM Rentafone Pty Ltd. Japan Branch
Ｍ21 Bldg. Level 5, Roppongi
2-2-5 Minato, Tokyo 106-0032
Ph: +81 3 3560 7730 Fax: +81 3 3560 7733

Japanese iPhone in Germany

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