phone WiFi outside of Japan

[meepalicious]

I'm back in the US for a few weeks, and I'd like to use the WiFi on my phone without using the cell reception. Now, my phone is pretty old, so if I turn on WiFi, it turns on cell reception (but not 3G). If I only use WiFi and don't make or receive any calls or txts (everyone knows I'm out of the country), will I get charged any extra? Can I use the

Comments

[fencer_x]

Do you have 'airplane mode' on your phone? I keep mine in airplane mode, but it still allows me to manually turn on wifi, so that's how I do it. Mine's fairly new, though, so it may not work with your own.

[meepalicious]

I can't do that, my phone is too old. :(

[kevinsensei]

take your SIM card out just in case, you should be fine.

[meepalicious]

That was a fantastic idea, but damn if Softbank doesn't want their money's worth: it won't let me do anything without a SIM card. I just get an error message.

[kevinsensei]

Well, that's weird. Ordinarily I'd say that as long as 3G isn't being accessed you'd still be okay. However, in light of this development, I'm not so sure....

[meepalicious]

Yeah, isn't that weird? It gives me a "no SIM card" error and the only option is to make an emergency call. I think I'll stick to my tablet, which is less convenient, but doesn't run the risk of a sudden high phone bill.