Japanese Phone working on O2 network

[Timsum]

I have recently bought a Softbank 814T mobile from Hong Kong, as one of the few japanese phones, it works on a GSM network, tested it in Hong Kong and it worked. However it seems as though it only has reception within an area that has 3G coverage.

Does any one know of anything about this? Phone is definitely unlocked, inserted all types of Sim Cards and there's no problems with that, just no signal when im in a non 3G zone.

Any ideas of anyone with similar past experience?
Any advice or help would be appreciate!:D

Thanks

[browny]

The japanese network is mainly all 3G, they no longer use GSM over in Japan. It may be that your hanset only works in 3G mode or it is used in GSM mode but on a different frequency to the one used in UK.

Obviously there is not gaurentee that foreign phones work on UK network and for that reason there is no official support from O2 or other networks.

[cj1207]

Page "21-17" of it's user manual suggest that it only works on bands 1920-2170MHz, so yes, looks like it will only work on a UMTS (3G) implementation of WCDMA, which is strange as AFAIK most Japanese phones only work on FOMA, in the 800 band, as this is the technology that NTT-DoMoCo use.

Looks like it should, theoretically, work on any UK operators 3G network... UMTS 2100Mhz.

http://broadband.mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/product/sb/814t_815t-e-manual.pdf

With that said, the official website suggests that it wont work (at the bottom):
http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/product/3g/814t/

"Not compatible with Global Roaming Service. Your USIM card can also be used in other handsets."