yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Daiben:
Docomo runs on the 2100, 1700 and 800 frequencies. That means you can run most internationally released phones on with docomo/b-mobile with at least as good a connection as the softbank one (which doesn't say much). However Docomo does have the best network overall and you are missing out on a lot but not having access to Foma plus (800mhz). During the Tohoku earthquake disaster my phone (at the time a domomo X10) had no trouble connecting while people limited to 2100mhz band were completely cut off for hours.

However if your phone is capable of connecting to the 850mhz frequency then it may be possible for it to access Foma plus as Band XIX (800mhz) seems to fall completely within band V (850mhz). The radios in some Japanese phones can actually be manually set to switch between the bands but this feature seems to be lacking on international phones (in regards to using the 800mhz frequency). However after reading about it on a Japanese blog last year I was able to flash the Japanese galaxy nexus's radio onto my international SG2 (and later my SGN) which improved the connection somewhat. I still wasn't getting full speeds but I definitely saw improvement.

Now I don't know if anyone has done this successfully with an international SG3 yet but it is something that might be worth looking into if you don't want to use docomo's version. This is where I found the info; http://d.hatena.ne.jp/sgrmatha/20111220 (you'll need to be able to read Japanese or at least get a translation).

I should also point out that Japan's ministry of communication has recently been putting out a lot of adds warning of large fines for people using uncertified wireless devices in Japan. These rules were typically aimed at people illegally using foreign made walkie talkies which can interfere with emergency equipment but it seems that the government may possibly be trying to crack down on the surge of grey imports coming into the country now. It is unlikely they would crack down on all phone users but it is something to consider if you are choosing between the local and international releases.

---------- Post added at 05:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:27 PM ----------

this is a list of phones that have been confirmed as working on the FOMA plus bandwidth. It's taken from the same blog as the previous link.

http://d.hatena.ne.jp/sgrmatha/searchdiary?word=%2A%5B%A5%E2%A5%D0%A5%A4%A5%EB%5D

The SG3 isn't on there but I haven't looked into it enough to confirm whether it is because it is incompatible or because no one has managed to flash a new radio on there yet.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dkflint723:
Thank you all for the info. I guess I will just stick with my SGS2 for now.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Oren The Red:
The thing is, that we may never see a ROM for our device. I am "stucked" with a SGS2LTE from Docomo, Rooted! without the ability to install any 100% functional ROM for it because it have different HW than the other SGS2s and requires Docomo's kernel in order to have the GPS working and maybe some other stuff if I am not mistaken.

Just my 2 cents!
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Ravlen:
MNP?

Did anyone here change from another provider (au or Softbank) to Docomo for the S3? I am with softbank now (HTC Desire, original AMLED version), and want to switch to Docomo for the S3, but I haven't been able to find any information about promotions regarding switching providers. I believe AU gives a massive discount on their handsets if you switch from another provider to them, so I'm wondering if Docomo does the same.

If Docomo doesn't help out, I might wait until AU inevitably offers the S3 (since they already offer the S2), but don't want to wait too long since my HTC desire is getting old, and the camera auto-focus is broken. Any rumours about when AU will offer theirs? I'm worried it might not be until late in the year, when they start rolling out their LTE service...

Also, did the staff at Docomo tell you how much they expect your monthly bill to be? Currently all my family members are on Softbank, so I'd lose out on the family discount by switching... but if Docomo isn't much more expensive, it wouldn't be too bad to switch since I rarely ever use voice and mostly e-mail my family members...

Ravlen

---------- Post added at 01:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:21 PM ----------

Well, turns out Japanese tech sites are abuzz with news that a support page is showing a new samsung device with a model number very similar to the AU Galaxy S2, so there's a chance that the AU Galaxy s3 will be coming soon. I think I might have to wait and see what AU offers before jumping ship to Docomo. For reference, the S2 was SCH-J001, and the new model is coming up as SCH-J021. No idea if it IS the galaxy s3, and if it is, it might not have wimax or LTE (if no wimax or LTE, maybe it'll be a quad core? Here's hoping...)

Too new to post links it seems, but just google the model SCH-J021 if you want to see the news.

Ravlen
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gaijinda:
I read the rules before posting this and it seems ok to talk about service and plan offers. If I am in error please erase. :)

I switched from softbank to Docomo about three weeks ago using the portability service to switch my number over. High-five, original Desire buddy. For a new contract with a portability number brought over from Softbank or AU, docomo will discount up to 3450 yen a month on the handset. The S3 handset payments work out to around 2900 a month over a two year contract, so the phone is essentially free. They also gave me 5000 yen in JCB gift certificates which can be used a various stores. They will give you 10,000 yen if you sign up for a month of charged services. I forget what the services were, but I did not want to deal with the hassle of paying for and then cancelling, so I opted out and it reduced the gift certificate payout to 5000 yen.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] discoltk:
I switched from Softbank. It is the first time in many years I've bought a handset from a carrier as I prefer to be independent and unlocked using global models. The situation in Japan with 4G is rough though given the very different frequency spectrum used. Softbank HSDPA+ runs at 1.5ghz, so that was out. LTE at 800mhz is totally unique so that rules out US models. It seemed inevitable that I end up buying a Japan specific handset, and Docomo is known to be very superior in coverage. That has proved out; while I'm not getting any crazy fast speeds with LTE, I have consistently better service quality and coverage than I did with Softbank. I'd say about 3x faster downloads and 20%-50% stronger signal in any given location. Also Docomo will sim-unlock your phone for a fee (it was like 3500 I think).

In terms of the cost, it was spectacularly high. There was no discount, and the Japanese price for the phone itself is maybe 25% higher than the international model. I haven't seen my monthly bill yet as it's only been a couple of weeks, but it didn't seem like it would be too outrageous. If you're squeamish about a few thousand yen though this is probably not a great route for you - prepare to be gouged.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Daiben:
has anyone managed to get the SC-06D to run with B-mobile yet? I recently swapped my N7000 for a SC-06D and I was able to root it right away. However I haven't been able to get it to connect to the network yet although it does detect them. I don't think the issue would be Docomo locking the phone so it wouldn't work with B-mobile as Bmobile does actually use the same sim cards. Any Docomo smartphone, locked or unlocked, should theoretically work.

The problem may possibly be the from the microsim slot. I had to cut down the full sized sim using a Noosy simcutter and I don't know if the issue relates to the contacts not lining up properly. I first tested it with my old docomo sim card and the phone seems to recognise the data from the sim (simlocks etc). Using an adapter both sims still work perfectly in my other phones so it does seem like the microsim is not the issue here.

The only other thing I can think of is some issue stemming from using a LTE/3G enabled device with a 3G only sim card. This is my first LTE device so I've never tested it before but does anyone know if this could possibly be the cause of the problem? If so it would make running the phone on Bmobile difficult until they release a talking version of the 4G chameleon sims (unless you want to run data-only).
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Ravlen:
I talked to Docomo staff today and they said the minimum service, with the Xi flat plan, will be about 7200'ish, at the very minimum (lowest level phone service, internet charge + Xi flat rate). They want to put all kinds of other services, like phone insurance, 700 yen for unlimited in-carrier calling (or something like that), etc... but you can opt out and it's similar to Softbank and AU for the most part. I believe they offer the phone essentially free if you are a current customer and sign a 2 year contract anyways, so I don't see any advantage to switching to Docomo over AU, since the Docomo shop I went to didn't offer me any gift certificates, or anything else.

I think I will wait and see if AU announces an S3 within the next month or so before I jump ship to Docomo. Good to hear that rooting is possible on the Docomo variant though! Roms are nice, but I can live without roms if I can root, at least until the S3 stops getting updates in 12-18 months or so.

Ravlen
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Daiben:
To follow up on my previous post it seems that the FOMA 3G sim cards (which Bmobile also uses) are not compatible with the Sc-06D. You will need an Xi one which rules out running docomo's version with either Bmobile or Softbank.

I haven't been able to discover if this is a feature of all Xi phones or if this is something recent that Docomo has been trying. Based on some of the Japanese blogs I've been reading the later may be true. It appears that even changing the settings via the hidden menu doesn't help but I haven't yet been able to confirm if unlocking the phone would remove this restriction. If it doesn't then this would likely cause a problem for people planning to import the Docomo version into other countries.

I was considering switching the Xi service anyway for the faster connection and wider coverage but for the moment I am going to find out if it is a software restriction and if there is any way to hack around it. I'd love to hear from anyone who has had experience with Xi phones on whether or not they dealt with this kind of issue.

---------- Post added at 11:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:02 AM ----------

ok scrap what I said before. After downloading the "LTE OnOff - HTC" and doing some tinkering with the settings I managed to get it to connect via FOMA. It seems you just need to disable the LTE settings. The blogs I read previously claimed this didn't help and I did get some crashes when I initially tried to set access the mobile provider settings but everything seems to be working fine now.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] strebalicious:
So I got all the Docomo crap off the phone except for "D Market" and "Docomo location services". Anyone know which apks I need to delete to get rid of those?
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] oreofreak:
I am using international s3 on docomo network with no prolems. I am using xi micro sim.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Oren The Red:
Quick questions:

1. I suppose no LTE due to different bands? can you verify that?

2. Which APN are you using?

Thanks!

O.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] oreofreak:
Yes i have no lte because the international version does not support it. Lte is not available in most of the area where i live and work. I hope in a couple of years multiband lte phones will be available to buy.

My apn is mopera.net
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
So, after reading this thread from the beginning to end...

Docomo SGS3 phones can be rooted, but there are NO custom ROM's available, so the only thing you can do with root is uninstall a few unwanted Docomo apps, that in some cases, break the phone, camera, or gps, or other issues.

On top of that, nobody has confirmed if you can still use Saifu wallet after the root.

I'm on Softbank with Desire HD (and Cm7 which is awesome) and NOJIMA store has a campaign this weekend that if you switch to Docomo you can get the phone for free, 2yr contract, keep your phone #, and monthly bill will be 5000YEN, unlimited data btw. (but in October, all unlimited plans will raise by 1000YEN and after 3GB, speeds will slow)

On top of that, Nojima is offering an in-store credit of 30,000YEN in points you can apply to ANY product they carry.

(if you switch two phones, you get 50,000YEN in points each)

So, my wife and I are on our way to get in on this deal, and we will pick up a new Canon DSLR for free using the points.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] forestcall:
Original Docomo Rom?

Hi All-

I was able to get ROOTED no problem. 4G works good.

Issue is the Camera is broken and shows a black screen.

The app loads and then it does nothing and is black and the buttons do not do anything.

I tried a Data Wipe/Factory Restore and still the camera is busted.

I tried installing a few different root methods listed in this forum thread with no luck.

Can someone post the original Rom for the Galaxy S3 Docomo SC-06D?

Or provide any advice.

I was considering to go to Docomo and see if they will reformat the phone.

Thanks!!!

---------- Post added at 04:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:41 PM ----------

After i rooted my camera is busted. Damn! :crying:
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] strebalicious:
I had that problem. What I did to fix it was go to SamFirmware to download the stock version (the MALFG1 version) and flashed it using Odin. Booted it up to make sure it worked, then went through the root process as before. Camera works, and no real other problems that I can tell.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rogeriok:
Very soon We will have support for our s3 japanese from the moderator mskip:D;everybody say thanks or donate for hin please...

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1746665
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jokinawa:
Where did you see that he will be supporting our device?
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rogeriok:
take a look in the last page from mskip's thread...
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jokinawa:
Ahh ok. I have Nice. Hopefully we can get some ROM developers interested.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cezeff:
sooooo mskip said he updated the toolkit for this version of the phone...has anyone tried it? im awaiting a message from him to verify i can give his kit a try....
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
this kept me from getting one at first, but now that I own it, it really doesn't make a difference.

No NFC.. who cares, it has basically the same thing, RFID, which is used exactly the same way in many more places. So, NON-issue.

Uninstallable apps... ok, this is annoying, a problem with EVERY single carrier in the world, USA, Japan, etc. However, I have already either uninstalled all the ones I don't use or simple "DISABLED" them which does essentially the same thing as uninstalling them minus the used space, but this is not a big deal since this phone has so much room. Again, non-issue.

Battery warm, yeah, it does, i guess some people care.

Kies, I only know what this is because you just compared it to iTunes, as I came from HTC, i never cared or used any sort of syncing program on my PC. I do everything wireless.

With that said, can someone post up a simple step-by-step ROOT method for our phone? I've read through this thread and there are a couple different posts, none of which are clear and when people reply about one, they don't mention which way they used.

or, should we just wait for this toolkit to be updated to include our version?

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1746665
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cezeff:
i would say just wait fort he toolkit to update...i was having a lot fo troubles using the methods here...so i decided to wait on this one...he updates and supports very well....just waiting for him to push the new update out....

just a question....anyone notice the lack of S-Voice? i installed it from samsung apps but it just keeps network error....anyone else have any success?

and i agree with you mike...this phone is awesome...i show it to my friends, even the ones that snatch up the new htc models popping up and they are even amazed...i run in power saving mode sooo much i forget how fast it is once you take the brakes off...and the potential it has after being rooted is insane...i compare it to my sgs 2 wimax version that has a huge screen too and large battery and it bests it in every way...its just a great phone..
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] discoltk:
Building CM9

I downloaded the kernel source for the SC-06D and have been working to integrate it into a CM9 port. Although I have a background in UNIX this is my first time building Android from source, or trying to do any development on Cyanogenmod. I wasn't optimistic about seeing it done in a timely manner and decided to take matters into my own hands.

Anyway, NO PROMISES that I'll pull it off, but my first attempt is compiling as we speak, so fingers crossed. I did get a microsim to minisim adapter for my nexus s to get me by following the brick that I anticipate turning my S3 into ;)

Whether I get this working or someone else does, we should be optimistic about having normal NFC support in the future. It is simply not compiled in the stock kernel. I suspect the hardware isn't actually different, but I'm only speculating.

If anyone else has experience building CM9 and wants to help me out with this port, please let me know!
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cezeff:
i thought the same thing about the NFC...ive come across many models that had the hardware to preform certain functions but not the software...good luck on your first try compiling...if it works you maybe on to the start of something great seeing as their isnt too much support for this phone outside of speaking japanese...i have no experience what so ever in developing and wish ya luck...
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
AFAIK, the NFC in the worlds SGS3's is different than the RFID that is in the Japanese SGS3.

NFC is NOT equal to RFID, it's different technology, different hardware.

fyi, my wife sells phones, tablets, pocket wifi's, etc, from ALL carriers. She looked it up and asked around upon my request.

"Does Docomo S3 have NFC chip like in the USA for using Google wallet?"

"No, instead, we have Japanese Felica RFID chip for mobile register payments, it works the same, but won't work with Google wallet payment in the US".
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cezeff:
thanks for the info....i did some research on RFID...cool stuff....its not NFC but it'll do....
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] deletio:
I ended up googling the S-Voice apk file, downloading and installing it manually. It works, but… sucks :D
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
Good news!

I'm at work or i would try it now, if nobody else does, i'll try to get it done tomorrow.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cezeff:
i tried to pm to test it....so the same thing here once im done with work ill give it a shot...
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Swaf:
Pink Pixels

Is anyone else having issues with pink pixels appearing on their screen. I had some show up on the top right corner. I plan to goto Docomo this week to see about getting a new screen.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
i got the bootloader to test from him in PM, just tested it now...

bad news, I'm stuck on the Docomo screen, but I can get to the download mode and recovery mode.

I'm awaiting his reply to send me the stock bootloader so I can use my phone again...
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cezeff:
thanks for using your phone as a test bed...saved a few of us from that fate..not only that but it helps all the toolkit..you beat me to the punch, if it wasnt for work i wouldve tried to flash that bootloader...
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Swaf:
Triangle Away

Has anyone attempted to reset their counter? It looks like triangle away has been updated to work on American SG3's.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1494114&page=120
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cezeff:
im not even going to try...if my phone ever blows up in my face, docomo has a very good warranty program, compared to au and softbank...
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Swaf:
warranty

Will they check the counter when I bring my phone in for them to check out my screen? Thats the main thing im worried about. Right now my counter is at 1 after I rooted the phone. Is anyone else that lives on Okinawa having issues with their signal strength?
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cezeff:
I don't know about that one...that's a good question...what root method did you use?
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
Damn, still waiting for stock bootloader so I can reflash and hopefully fix my S3

I even tried reflashing his modded bootloader he sent me but it still hangs at docomo screen on reboot.

Anyone have the stock bootloader by chance? I have the stock rom from samfiles but that's just the rom as I understand it.

I can get in download mode and recovery mode.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Swaf:
root

I used the root method explained by fujislider on page 3. How is your signal strength here on the island?

ewdi,

root success achieved here too! Thanks to you for extracting the necessary information from logsoku. I modified your procedures a bit.

Preps

a) Make sure you have latest Samsung Kies installed and rebooted Windows

b) Download Odin from http://xdaforums.com/atta...9&d=1340384913

c) Download CWM Recovery for SC-06D "cwm_for_sc06d.tar.md5" from http://www.mediafire.com/?lvj9dz37wle2wee

d) Download SU root file "sgs3_rooting_signed.zip" from http://www.mediafire.com/?wrhanhh7g9vwlzi ,

connect Phone as media device and copy to the root of the "phone" mount.

Steps

1. Boot into Download Mode (Vol Down + Home + Power)

2. Using Odin, "PDA" button, Flash the "cwm_for_sc06d.tar.md5". Phone will reboot automatically.

3. Shutdown. Boot into CWM recovery mode (Vol Up + Home + Power)

4. Using CWM, flash the SU root file "sgs3_rooting_signed.zip". Reboot phone from within CWM, and you are done

Note: The stock recovery "stock_recovery.tar.md5" can be downloaded from http://www.mediafire.com/?q3aubc6lri3t2rk

and flashed using Odin in case something doesn't work out right with the CWM

Busybox isn't installed by default, so you need to grab it yourself from play.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
I used that method above and can't get past the Docomo screen after 10min or more of waiting.

I reflashed stock rom and tried a few more times. Should I do the OTA update first before trying ?
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
Ok, it seems i was hasty, i gues the original toolkit method DID actually work, because after giving up and reflashing stock rom, i noticed Superuser was installed on the homescreen, after installing some root apps, it is definitely rooted!

So looks like his toolkit may need a couple more testers, you may be able bootup after running his toolkit bit if not, just reflash stock boot and its all good!

Fyi, the stock boot posted in a link above a couple posts didnt work for me, i had to use the one mskip sent to me.

Here...
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
UPDATE!

mskip sent me a new boot loader for our SC-06D to test and using his Toolkit, it worked flawlessly!!

Looks like a easy root method for our version is just around the corner.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cezeff:
second download doesnt work....