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Dial up Internet Service Providers
There are many dial up ISP (Internet Service Providers)
in Japan, some with English support. If you can get someone
to help you fill in the online forms in Japanese, try using
a Japanese internet provider e.g. Nifty. These companies often
have a larger access area. Ask your computer guru for their
advice. Generally Internet service charges are 2000 yen a
month plus phone charges. These are approx 10 yen per every
4 minutes. Make sure you connect with a provider that can
supply a local access number to minimise your costs. Also
find out if your phone line provider can offer you any discount
rates e.g. an evening rate etc.
ISPs
in Japan - Information on internet service providers in
Japan which provide English language support.
ISP FAQ
- List of Internet Service Providers throughout Japan.
ADSL
If your Internet usage is sending your phone bill through
the roof you may want to consider getting ADSL. ADSL is a
broadband service. It is faster than using a dial up modem,
you can receive telephone calls when you are online and the
cost is a fixed charge (approx 3200-4900 Yen per month). ISP’s
usually charge a one-off set up fee – contact your ISP
for their details.
All you need is an analogue telephone line and
a computer with an ethernet port. You can choose from a range
of Internet service providers. E.g. Yahoo BB, Nifty etc. Few
companies have English support – so make friends with
your computer guru at school. You can apply for ADSL online,
so having someone fluent in Japanese who understands computing
really helps!
The first thing to do is to find out the name
of the phone line account holder if you have not set up the
phone line yourself. Your school should be able to help here.
Then NTT will do some checks to see if your phone line is
suitable. The process does take some time - 10 to 30+ days.
If all is well, you should be sent an ADSL modem and a ‘splitter’
- a device that plugs into your phone line. You plug your
computer into the ADSL modem which plugs into one spitter
socket and your phone into the other. If you have a Japanese
OS computer you can install the driver software provided or
if you have an English OS computer – changing your TCP/IP
settings should work. Make sure you check this out first
with your chosen ADSL provider before you order their service.
There seem to be no problems with English OS computers Windows
and Macs with Yahoo BB. Then it is plug, register and play!
Information about ADSL Service Providers in
Japan. eAccess
Japan
There is a new service Ashiya Net/BBapply
that will help you fill out Yahoo BB's application form
in English. Appparently he cannot take applications from
people who got their modem at the station.
For more information check the site http://www.bbapply.com
If you'd like to join a local Mac computer user
group check out http://www.kmug.org
which is the web site for the Kinki Macintosh Users Group.
It's a great group based in Osaka but has members all around
Japan and the world. |
