Which Mobile Plan Suits You the Most?

Having trouble in choosing mobile phone carrier in Japan? You will figure out which one suits you the best by the time you have read through this page.
Japan’s three major telecoms — NTT Docomo, KDDI and SoftBank — announced their new mobile plan of which starts from March, 2021.
Each plan looks very similar, however, what kind of service you will need is the important key to make a decision. So let’s compare one to another.

Comparative Chart

This is a comparative chart which makes it easier to understand differences among three new plans.

• “ahamo” by NTT Docomo
• “povo” by KDDI (au as a brand)
• “SoftBank on LINE” by SoftBank

*tax excluded

Common features:

• Starting from March 2021
• Monthly data quantity is up to 20GB
• Additional data capacity (1GB) needs another 500 yen
• Voice call fee is 20 yen per 30 seconds
• 5G services available (For “povo”, available from this summer)
• Administrative fee is FREE (For “povo” and “SoftBank on LINE”, it is free only when switching from the same brand)

Some Features You Should Know Before Making a Choice

Monthly basic charge

When seeing the chart above, you may notice that the monthly basic charge of “povo” is the cheapest. However, 2,480 yen does not include unlimited voice call fee (up to 5 minutes). Thus, it would be the same price (2,980 yen/month) as that of “ahamo” and “SoftBank on LINE” if you added 500 yen of unlimited voice call plan.

Unlimited voice call

If you often talk on the mobile phone over 5 minutes, unlimited voice call option is available. This option of both “ahamo” and “SoftBank on LINE” costs you 1,000 yen per month, while that of “povo” costs you 1,500 yen. But again, whichever plan is chosen, you will have to pay 3,980 yen in this condition.

• “ahamo”…basic monthly charge 2,980 yen + unlimited voice call fee 1,000 yen = 3,980 yen
• “povo”….basic monthly charge 2,480 yen + unlimited voice call fee 1,500 yen = 3,980 yen
• “SoftBank on LINE”…the same as “ahamo” =3,980 yen

Unlimited Data

This option is only for “povo” users. Generally speaking, 20 GB a month is much enough to live a normal life. But if you tend to use more than 20 GB, “povo” could be a better choice. Unlimited data fee is 200 yen per day.

Zero-Rating

These days, more and more people are using an app called LINE as a communication tool, which enables to call and send messages for free. Some find it unnecessary to use voice call for this reason. Zero-rating service offered by SoftBank is the most suitable plan for that kind of people, because the communication data quantity accumulated by using LINE app will also be included in the basic monthly charge.

International Roaming Service

Most viewers coming here may be those who have any roots in other countries or regions. Do you come back to your home country or somewhere during your long vacation? Then the “ahamo” plan would be the best choice. You can use 20 GB with no addition fee even outside of Japan ! There are 82 countries and regions where this service is available, and on this page(Japanese only), you can check whether the place you are going to is included or not.

Which Plan Do You Prefer?

Have you found any new mobile phone plan that most suits you? Although they are similar, each plan has its features. We hope you will make the best choice 🙂