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Got a text while visiting Japan

AlkiDweller

Android Enthusiast
Using an HTC Evo Shift with Sprint, which of course is CDMA.

Shortly after arriving in Japan last Friday I received a text from Sprint saying...

In Japan to call US dial 0101-area code-number. Calls 1.99/min, Txt sent 0.50 recvd 0.05. Sprint Care 010-1-817-698-4199. Data service available in Japan on 3GSM network with capable device set device to GSM mode to access data services.

How is this possible? The Shift isn't an international phone.
 
Is it possible that Sprint has a series of preloaded messages built in, and a message is "delivered" based on your GPS data? This, of course, assumes that your GPS was on at the time.

Did your phone indicate any sort of CDMA signal at all?
 
I suppose that's possible. I do keep my GPS on all the time. But I would think that it would only have a lat and lon and without an internet connection it couldn't know where that lat and lon was located.

I can't remember if there were bars in the notification area or not.
 
After a quick Google search, I discovered that Japan does indeed have a limited CDMA network in some areas. So yes, it is very possible that you were able to receive that text message. When your phone registered on the local network, it was reported to Sprint for proper call routing. That likely would have triggered the message. According to Sprint's website, CDMA messaging is limited to inbound only.

CDMA service in Japan...I learn something new every day. :)
 
a friend went to vietnam with their sprint phone (cheap flip phone) and forgot to turn it off.. I did not know they had left. I called them.. they picked up and we talked..

we were both very surprised!!!!!!!
and said bye, fast.. did not want to see that bill!!!
 
You guys are confused.

CDMA phones are not international in the sense that you cannot put in a SIM card to use other carriers. It is international in the sense that it can be used internationally because Sprint has roaming agreements with local CDMA carriers.
 
Sprint has a few dual band phones that they call international phones. The Motorola Photon 4g does GSM, as well as CDMA.
 
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