A variety of companies, from large corporations to low-cost competitors, offer mobile phone services to suit individual subscriber criteria.
The larger players have a reputation for stable signal conditions and wide coverage, while the lower-cost providers’ main selling point is price.
Choosing the right low-cost mobile phone company can be challenging. This is because the various companies offer different services and prices, which vary depending on the time of year during which you will be signing your contract.
If you are not certain about your period of stay in Japan, it is important to know the contract period in advance. The longest period is normally two years, and if you wish to pull out before your contract has run its course, you will have to pay a penalty fee, which can be quite steep. Foreigners should also be aware that they may be required to confirm their date of departure upon signing the contract, with some companies requiring a minimum of 6 months’ stay.
One of the major advantages of low-cost SIMs is that they do not have the two-year contractual restrictions imposed on those signing a contract with a major mobile carrier. In addition, it is possible to sign a contract at a low cost, less than 2,000 yen per month – and since it is possible to overwhelmingly save on mobile charges in Japan, foreigners who plan to stay in Japan for less than two years would certainly be better off using one of these cheap SIM only plans.
Furthermore, the fact that cheap SIMs and smartphones can be purchased via the Internet is also convenient. However, many of the cheap SIM plans require a credit card registered under the subscriber’s name to be used for monthly payments, which can be a major barrier for foreigners who do not have a credit card.
Many cell phone companies offer promotions in March every year, just prior to the start of the new academic school year, as well as in August, before the new academic semester begins.
Contracts can be applied for online or in-store. When signing up for a cell phone contract in a store, different locations may offer their own promotions; for instance, some may offer a promotion granting new subscribers 10,000 yen in points for each new contract – in either case, advance research is highly recommended.
If you wish to use a smartphone handset brought in from overseas, in addition to the size and type of the SIM card, also note whether or not the phone purchased is already unlocked – since in many cases, smartphone handsets are locked to a particular carrier.
*** We are available to assist you in choosing the right plan for your individual needs, as well as to ensure that you receive satisfactory service from your new mobile provider ***
