I wish our cell providers were as advanced as Japan's. 8707 can do voice and data at the same time.

UBS analysts Robert Dennison and Maynard Um speculated last month that RIM would likely launch in Japan with an 8707 handset, which uses third-generation (3G) mobile technology.

"Our checks indicate the device will be similar to the 8700 in terms of processor and memory specifications, with added benefit of simultaneous voice and data functionality," they wrote. That means a customer could receive e-mail while on a voice call.

This can work if the carrier goes with a UMTS/HSPDA VOIP solution, which I assume the Japanese carrier must be doing?

Otherwise, its voice and data, but not simultaneously.

It will be for the former Vodafone network in JP, and won't be doing voice and data simultaneously. It is basically the same as an 8700, simply with a Qualcomm GSM/GPRS/WCDMA radio as opposed to GSM/GPRS/EDGE

We can do both voice and data simultaneously in all the networks here in Australia. This has been the case for about 3 years now with one of the carriers..

Can you specify which device, carrier, and type of network (note that Telstra has GSM/GPRS/EDGE and a CDMA 1X network)?

anyone have confirmation on Blackberry being offered in Japan.. thats good news.. I have an office there chomping at the bits to get some sort of mobile device.

"3" has had a 3G UMTS only network for 3 years roaming to Telstra for GPRS with all their devices supporting voice and data simultaneously in 3G mode.

Telstra is using the "3" network for their 3G network until they build their 850mhz network this year. Telstra actually has an EVDO network not just 1x and a GPRS/GSM network but EDGE is still to be officialy launched and turned on. The Telstra CDMA/1X/EVDO will be switched of once the Telstra 3G UMTS 850mhz network has been built. Only the 3G UMTS devices support voice and data simultaneously in 3G mode.

Optus has a 3G UMTS network and a GPRS/GSM network all 3G devices support voice and data simultaneously in 3G mode.

Vodafone has a 3G UMTS network and a GPRS/GSM network and all 3G devices voice and data simultaneously in 3G mode.