[How to] Essential tech to communicate profitably overseas SIM-free How to use prepaid SIM on iPhone

When visiting overseas on a trip or business trip, it is safe to have a means to communicate locally. You can also search your current location and route on Google Maps, and keep in touch with acquaintances on SNS.

This time, I would like to recommend it to those who have a SIM fleece smartphone, let's introduce a method of "purchasing a local" prepaid SIM "while in Japan and using it with a SIM free iPhone after arriving at the site" ..

Review of prepaid SIM

First, let's review the "SIM card". SIM is an IC chip that records information such as telephone numbers. This SIM is set on your smartphone, so you can make phone calls and use the Internet.

Here, "prepaid SIM" is a SIM card that can be used for a certain period of time or until a certain amount of communication is exceeded by purchasing it in advance and opening it. It can be rephrased as "a limited-time communication plan that can be used with advance payment".

The price depends on the amount of communication available, the period of time, and the presence or absence of a phone. Basically, you should select a "data communication only" SIM card. Even if you don't have a phone now, you can exchange messages with acquaintances via SNS, so you can spend your time without any problems.

By the way, many of these prepaid SIMs can be pre-purchased in Japan through the EC site. Also, depending on your destination, you may be able to purchase at the airport. First of all, it is important to find out what options are available depending on the destination.

By the way, cheap SIM brands such as "mineo", "Rakuten Mobile" and "IIJmio" also sell prepaid SIMs that can be used overseas, but the charges are higher than the prepaid SIMs provided by local carriers. Therefore, it is not covered in this article.

To use prepaid SIM, you need a device that does not have a SIM lock

A "SIM fleece smartphone" is required to use prepaid SIM. When I tried to use the smartphone I bought with my carrier as it was, I couldn't communicate locally. Please be careful not to do that.

In the first place, smartphones of major carriers such as DoCoMo, au, and Softbank, which many of you usually use, have a restriction called "SIM lock" so that SIM cards of other companies cannot be used. However, for terminals released after May 2015, it is possible to unlock the SIM lock if certain conditions set by each company are met. If necessary, apply from a web page etc. to remove this restriction in advance.

In addition, prepaid SIM can be used because terminals sold at home electronics retail stores without SIM lock from the beginning are also SIM-free. It should be noted that cheap smartphones are not SIM-free. For example, there are cases where SIM lock is applied even on cheap smartphones such as iPhones purchased from Y! Mobile.

What should be further noted is whether the SIM fleece smartphone to be used is compatible with the local communication method. The iPhone is recommended as a smartphone that is sold all over the world and can use communication in most countries.

Use prepaid SIM for Taiwan at domestic airports

Prepaid SIMs that can be used in Taiwan can be purchased at domestic airports. From August 2017, it can be purchased at the "Mobile Center" at Haneda Airport and Narita Airport operated by Telecom Square. I obtained it at the Mobile Center Haneda Airport (6: 00-21: 00) on the 3rd floor of the International Passenger Terminal at Haneda Airport and tried it.

I visited the counter on the day of travel without making a reservation, but I was able to purchase it just by filling out the required documents. The price is 1400 yen, and you can use 3G / 4G communication in Taiwan for 5 days as much as you want. I am using the communication network of Chunghwa Telecom. In addition, tethering is not supported.

Set this in the au version of iPhone 6s that has unlocked the SIM lock and use it. SIM cards come in three sizes: standard / micro / nano, but since they can be cut from the mount in a suitable size, no cutter is required.

By the way, if you have already used another communication such as a cheap SIM in Japan with a SIM-free iPhone, don't forget to delete "Profile" from "General" in the "Settings" app.

When I inserted the SIM card, I was able to communicate as it was without any special settings. However, keep in mind that some operators will need to manually install the profile. In that case, you will need to search for a profile while decoding the website of the business company with Google Translate, or set the APN using a web service such as "iPhone APN Changer". This alone will make a big difference in the difficulty level, so it's a good idea to check the word-of-mouth etc. in advance.

* In Android, APN can be customized from the setting app. It's not covered in this article, but if you're an Android enthusiast, check out the APN settings separately.

Of course, prepaid SIMs can be purchased at local airports as well as at domestic airports. In that case, you can rest assured that the staff will support the setting. However, this also differs depending on the country and airport, so it is important to collect information in advance.

Purchase a prepaid SIM for the United States on the EC site

You can also purchase prepaid SIM on EC sites such as "Amazon.co.jp". It may take some time to arrive, so you need to make arrangements earlier than your travel date.

I bought a T-mobile line "CT SIM" and tried it. This prepaid SIM can also use local phone numbers, and 4GB high-speed communication can be used for a valid period of 30 days. It can be used only on smartphones and is not compatible with tablets. The price is 4200 yen.

After you receive the package, you need to access the URL on the package to open it. Enter your SIM serial number and password, and enter your travel date, days of use, contact information, IMEI, etc. IMEI is a terminal-specific number. Select "General"-> "Information" from the "Settings" app, and you can check it in the "IMEI" field.

If such opening is required, the procedure will not be carried out immediately after application and will take 1-2 days. Therefore, it is safe to receive the package about a week before your travel date. Also, if there is a time difference on your local travel date, please be careful to use the local time date instead of the Japanese time date when setting the start date.

If the service is opened correctly, you will receive a phone number notification via SMS and you will be able to use local communication. By the way, this SIM also didn't require manual profile installation.

It can be said that the use of prepaid SIM has a high hurdle to use compared to the rental of mobile Wi-Fi routers and the overseas fixed amount of carriers, but it is excellent in terms of cost. If you travel abroad frequently, this is a technique you should definitely remember. Also, if you have an iPhone 6s that you used before the model change, why not play it as an overseas terminal?