IPhone in Japan?

My son is travelling to Japan in a few weeks. He has an iPhone, and AT&T has told us he will not have phone service. However, will the iPhone be able to access wireless internet there? Also, will Apple's standard plug in charger for the iPhone be able to be used in most hotels? Thank you...

Ed,

Free wifi hotspots are not that common in Japan. Some hotels provide free wifi, but that's about it. The wifi available at stations and McDonalds etc requires registration/subscription.

It is really baffling why Apple didn't add 3G functionality to a phone that is otherwise state-of-the-art. It is like a Porsche with a VW beetle motor :-)

The lack of 3G means indeed that he cannot use his phone to call from Japan or to receive calls, but if he finds a WiFi hotspot in a hotel, or so, he will be able to use it. But like Dave said, these hotspots are not common in Japan.

iphone has no umts capability (weird, as practically every new phone you buy these days does have this), so it simply won't work in Japan

I heard that they will release the iPhone in Japan this fall? If i'm not mistaken... perhaps they'll set up a 3G function for Japan.

Ed, I went to Japan a few months ago with my iPhone, so I went through what he'll experience.

I encountered very few free wifi spots. I recall going to Starbucks in Japan and being shocked there was no wifi; I'm just so used to it here, I thought all Starbucks would provide it. I even saw some other Americans opening up their laptops at a Starbucks with the same idea, heh. I had to disappoint them by telling them there was no wifi.

About your other question, yes, the charger will work at the hotels.

I don't know if this will be useful, but here's a link for finding wifi spots:

http://www.jiwire.com/browse-hotspot-japan-jp.htm

I'm not that surprised considering that most Japanese people including kids have phones with them, and most of the phones are already equipped with internet service and email. Finding free hotspots/wifi would be a little less.