Can ahamo be used overseas?Data roaming, phone, SMS usage and precautions when traveling ｜ @DIME at DIME
ahamo is a new rate plan released by DoCoMo in March 2021. A set of 20GB of monthly data capacity and free domestic calls for 5 minutes is 2,970 yen per month, and reasonable price setting is gaining popularity. Furthermore, when using a smartphone overseas, we also offer ahamo's unique service that is not available in other DoCoMo plans, so we would like to check it as a "smartphone that is strong overseas."
In this article, we will explain ahamo's "overseas roaming", call / SMS services, and how to use ahamo overseas and points to note when traveling abroad.
No application required! Ahamo's "overseas roaming" that can be used at no additional charge
When using a smartphone overseas, use the network of a local telecommunications carrier to connect to the communication equipment of a Japanese mobile phone company and perform data communication. This mechanism is called overseas roaming (data roaming, international roaming) and can be used on smartphones of many mobile carriers.
ahamo also supports overseas roaming, so you don't need to apply in advance to use it. There is no additional charge if the data capacity is within 20GB. If the data capacity exceeds 20GB, a speed limit (maximum 1Mbps) will occur, but it can be canceled by purchasing an additional data capacity (1GB, 550 yen).
By the way, for other DoCoMo rate plans, it is necessary to separately use "Packet Pack Overseas Option (200 yen per hour)" and "Overseas Pake-hodai (2,980 yen per day)" in order to use overseas roaming. From that point as well, ahamo, which can be used without application or additional charges, has a high advantage.
Ahamo's overseas roaming can be used immediately by turning on "Data roaming" on your smartphone. You can set it by tapping "Mobile communication (mobile network)" in the "Settings" app, so turn it on when data communication is needed.
Corresponding areas are 82 countries and regions around the world. You can search the target area on the official website. Please note that this is different from DoCoMo's service areas (200 countries / regions overseas).
Ahamo's overseas roaming is very convenient, but there are some points to be aware of. After 15 days have passed since the day when data communication was first used overseas, the speed limit (maximum transmission / reception of 128 kbps) will be applied. This is different from the case where it exceeds 20GB, and the limit is not lifted even if you purchase additional data capacity. Also, if you leave the data roaming on your smartphone turned on, 20GB of data capacity will be used when communication with overseas occurs even while connected to Wi-Fi. Make a habit of turning off data roaming when you're not using your smartphone. If the monthly usage amount of overseas calls / SMS exceeds 50,000 yen (or the set usage suspension guideline amount), services including overseas data communication will be suspended until the end of the month. Please note that the call charge will increase because the suspension of use will not be canceled even if you purchase additional data capacity.
You can make calls and SMS in more than 200 countries and regions overseas with the same phone number.
With ahamo, you can use calls and SMS (Short Message Service) in more than 200 countries and regions overseas. You can use your usual mobile phone number as it is. Unlike overseas roaming, which does not incur additional charges if it is within 20GB, certain call charges and communication charges are incurred, but the advantage is that the coverage area is wider than data communication. When traveling, check it along with the overseas roaming method.
You can make international calls from your country of stay to Japanese mobile phones and landlines, Japanese mobile phones in the same country of stay, and overseas countries other than your country of stay. Each call method is as follows.
・ When making a call to a Japanese mobile phone or landline from overseas
Enter "+", "81 (Japan's country code)" and "the other party's phone number" to make a call. There is a call charge for Japan.
* If the other party's mobile phone number or area code (area code) starts with 0, enter it without the first 0 (excluding some countries / regions).
* From the official docomo website (https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/service/world/roaming/content/voice/)
・ When calling someone who uses a Japanese mobile phone overseas (accompanying person, etc.)
Enter "+", "81 (Japan's country code)" and "the other party's phone number" to make a call. There is a call charge for Japan.
・ When making a call to a mobile phone or landline in the country of stay
Enter the "phone number of the other party" to make a call. Call charges within the country of stay will be charged.
* From the official docomo website (https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/service/world/roaming/content/voice/)
* If you cannot connect by the above operation, press the country code of your country of stay and then dial the number of the other party.
・ When making a call from overseas to an overseas (country other than the country of stay) mobile phone or landline
Enter "+", "country code of the other party" and "phone number of the other party" to make a call. There is a call charge for the destination country.
* From the official docomo website (https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/service/world/roaming/content/voice/)
* If the other party's mobile phone number or area code (area code) starts with 0, enter it without the first 0 (excluding some countries / regions).
With ahamo, you can send SMS from overseas to the other party's mobile phone number. There is an advantage that you can send a simple text message even in areas where overseas roaming is not available. Let's learn how to use it together with the call.
・ When sending to a Japanese mobile phone number (Japanese mobile phone operator)
Enter the "phone number of the other party" and send. Same as sending normal SMS. This method is used when sending from the country of stay to a mobile phone number in Japan and when sending to a mobile phone number in Japan (such as a companion) who is in the same country of stay.
* From the official docomo website (https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/service/world/roaming/content/sms/)
・ When sending to an overseas mobile phone number (overseas mobile phone operator)
Enter "+", "country code of the other party" and "phone number of the other party" and send. This method is used when sending to a mobile phone of a mobile phone operator other than Japan.
* From the official docomo website (https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/service/world/roaming/content/sms/)
For overseas calls, "incoming call charges" are incurred even when receiving a call from the other party. Prices vary depending on the destination and model, so check the official DoCoMo website. In addition, ahamo's 5-minute free call is not applicable to overseas use, and the "all-you-can-call option" does not apply. SMS costs 100 yen per message only when it is sent, and reception is free.
Also, as explained in the section on overseas roaming, if the monthly usage amount of overseas calls / SMS exceeds 50,000 yen or the set usage suspension guideline, the mobile phone service will be suspended until the end of the month. Unless you make a very long call, there are not many cases where the estimated suspension amount is exceeded, but be careful about the cost of calls and SMS while traveling.
Sentence / oki
