Japan: Wifi Hotspot or Vodafone Roaming

[Einherjar]

Hi I'm just wondering if there's anyone out there who can provide some insight with Vodafone roaming speeds in Japan. Some other sites mentioned 3G only speeds for roaming customers but curious if that has been changed in the last few months (since the page was somewhat dated).
I was looking at a few wifi hotspot rentals and they averaged $8-12/day for decent 4G/WiMax speeds. I've got plenty of data with my existing Voda plan and considered the $5/day roaming until people mentioned slower speeds due to roaming agreements. Has anyone out there used Vodafone roaming in Japan recently and can confirm the speeds or should I just get a wifi hotspot and be done with it?

Cheers

 

[ricco]

Hi I'm just wondering if there's anyone out there who can provide some insight with Vodafone roaming speeds in Japan. Some other sites mentioned 3G only speeds for roaming customers but curious if that has been changed in the last few months (since the page was somewhat dated).
I was looking at a few wifi hotspot rentals and they averaged $8-12/day for decent 4G/WiMax speeds. I've got plenty of data with my existing Voda plan and considered the $5/day roaming until people mentioned slower speeds due to roaming agreements. Has anyone out there used Vodafone roaming in Japan recently and can confirm the speeds or should I just get a wifi hotspot and be done with it?
n
Cheers

Hi. I've used Vodafone roaming in Europe and Japan over the past two years. Japan in January it was 3G which is fine. The transition from VA to telcos in Japan was seamless as in Europe. 3G is enough to get you around. Going back to Japan in January and will be using Vodafone Roaming again. Cheers

 

[Himeno]

I'd go with the wifi rental.
Which ones have you been looking at?

 

[jb01]

What are you planning to use the data for?
Simple Google maps etc Vodafone is completely fine and obviously a lot less hassle.

 

[zainman]

Used it earlier this month, 4G speeds. Worked flawlessly, don't bother with a SIM

 

[Einherjar]

I'd go with the wifi rental.
Which ones have you been looking at?

Ninja Wifi - from some of the posts I've been reading. They use SoftBank.

When it comes to Google Maps, some translation and maybe research via youtube sources, I could probably live with Roaming.
Although I was considering ongoing (overnight) photo & video backup to the cloud. Needs vs wants, I guess.

 

[Einherjar]

Used it earlier this month, 4G speeds. Worked flawlessly, don't bother with a SIM

They've moved roaming to 4G? Maybe like Australian carriers, they're repurposing the 3G bands for 4G? Might hold off and wait - @ricco can also report back from January?

 

[zainman]

They've moved roaming to 4G? Maybe like Australian carriers, they're repurposing the 3G bands for 4G? Might hold off and wait - @ricco can also report back from January?

Yep.. Had 4G reception all the time.

 

[Einherjar]

@ricco any changes from your trip? 4G coverage?

 

[Bundy Bear]

I used the vodafone sim in Japan about 2 years ago; I found 3G fine, mainly for downloading maps, checking AFF and Facebook.

$8 to $12 seems expensive, most hotels have wifi so if you have a vodafone account I would go with that, less hassle.

 

[futaris]

If you are transiting Singapore, get a Happy Roaming SIM. Around $35 SGD for 5 GB, 30 days.

if you are transiting Indonesia,Telkomsel have a 5GB, 30 day plan for 350000 IDR.

I think there is something similar from Hong Kong.

I had 4G+ with my Telkomsel SIM.