NTT DOCOMO announced that it will allow customers to unlock their new phones, which were marketed on or after April 1st, 2011. It is said that the new service reflects “DOCOMO’s desire to meet the needs of customers” who want to use unlocked phones on other operators’ mobile networks by simply switching SIM cards.
As a non-DOCOMO user this means that finally we will be able to (legally and hassle free) use some of their phones on networks outside the Land of the rising Sun.
The unlocking will come with a fee of 3,150 yen, which is about $38.
Additionally, the Japanese carrier also announced it will start selling SIM and micro SIM cards to people who wish to use a non-DOCOMO device on the DOCOMO mobile network or have a different SIM card in their DOCOMO device. The SIM cards will be free though requiring normal subscriber fees and a visit to a local DOCOMO shop with your phone…