I second the MD's notion. Vonage is it. I travel extensively (this reaches you from Tokyo) Used to travel with an ATA, but gave up. Sometimes the ATA works, sometimes it does not. Too much hassle, even for a nerd like me. The Vonage-supplied X-Pro softphone seems to geth through justabout any firwewall. Have used it extensively in China, and their firewalls are more formidable than their great wall of China. If there is a broadband connection, the softphone works in 99.9% of all the cases..
JP Cell phones: Also seconded. Except for 3G, the JP cell phones are incompatible with the rest of the world. Three options: 1.) Buy a prepaid. Availble anywhere, for instance Narita, Vodafone kiosk. For outbound international calls, charge it up A LOT, they can get very expensive. Even in-JP calls are 60cents a minute. Incoming calls are free. 2.) If you have a cell phone with a SIM card, you can rent a JP cell (same locations as above) and drop the SIM card in. You will be available under your current number. But watch out for high roaming charges. Also, the phone they rent you is huge and heavy. 3.) Get a 3G or UMTS phone. They work on Quad band GSM plus 3G / UMTS. I successfully use in Japan a Nokia 6680, obtained in Europe with a European Vodafone contract. (<- important!) Can even check my emails with the thing. High roaming charges as under 2. The better hotels in Japan and China have broadband. Yes, sometimes one must ask, and often one must pay. But compared to the extortionist prices for a hotel room in Tokyo, it's relatively nothing. Remember: Tipping is frowned upon in Japan, so what you save on the bellboys and waiters, you can invest into broadband. B in Tokyo PS: Still waiting for recommendations on where buying a Pana system in Beijing. _________________________________________________________________ KX-T Mailing list --- http://kxthelp.com/ Subscription changes: http://kxthelp.com/mailman/listinfo/kxt
