Softbank phone compatibility with Docomo

[Jason]

Does anyone know if Softbank phones are compatible with Docomo's services? What about other carriers?

[JonB]

They are different providers. I assume you are referring to the imode service but each provider has it's own solution to that.

If you mean share their cell nodes then definitely not.

Not sure if I am understanding the question ?!?!?

[Bueller_007]

Does anyone know if Softbank phones are compatible with Docomo's services? What about other carriers?

Assume you're meaning "if I buy a Softbank phone and cancel my contract, can I use it if I sign up with Docomo?"

I'm about 100% sure the answer is "no".

[JonB]

I'm about 100% sure the answer is "no".

When it was vodafone even the phones with SIM cards were locked to Vodafone Japan
SIM cards so whe you went abroad you could not use a local prepaid SIM in your phone.

Most Japanese phones do not have SIM cards so there is not the option to do so - but why you would want to go to DOCOMO when they have been losing customers hand over fist to AU is beyond me...

[Jason]

Most Japanese phones do not have SIM cards so there is not the option to do so - but why you would want to go to DOCOMO when they have been losing customers hand over fist to AU is beyond me...

Well, it's something I'm still researching. It'll still be a while until/if I can even move there.

[AdmiralAK]

Both DoCoMo and Softbank use SIM cards.
Their phones are theoretically compatible - so voice and SMS will work if you pop out the softbank SIM and put in a DoCoMo SIM (and vice versa) however the phones must be unlocked! I know that DoCoMo does not unlock their phones, I do not know what Softbank's policies are.

Even if you had an unlocked softbank phone, some features, like iMode, will not work since I do not believe that softbank offers iMode service. Firmware on those phones is generally customized for the carrier, so if DoCoMo offers a certain feature on their phones, that feature might not work with a phone that is bought from another carrier.