Softbank contracts
Japanese mobile phone providers have not been known for their support for non-Japanese speaking customers. However, the last year has seen improvements, with all major carriers now providing English brochures detailing price plans.
Largely as a result of the popularity of the iPhone amongst foreign residents in Japan, Softbank has now added an English page to their website detailing all available price plans.
http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/price_plan/
Basic contract
Their basic phone package is their White plan (¥980 per month) , which gives you free calls to other Softbank users between 1am and 9pm. From 9pm to 1am calls are charged at ¥21 per 30 seconds. Calls to other networks / landlines are ¥21 per 30 seconds 24 hours a day.
Many users upgrade to the Double White plan, which for an additional ¥980 per month gives you a 50% discount on these prices (¥10.5 per 30 seconds).
Data plans
Whilst you don’t necessarily have to buy a separate data plan (under the white plan data is priced at ¥0.2 per 128bytes), being an iPhone user you’ll be heading for bankruptcy if you don’t. Softbank’s cheapest data package is 12,250 packets for ¥1,029, but if 1 packet is only 128 bytes then 12,250 packets will only give you 1.6mb of monthly downloads. Bearing in mind that the iPhone is all about data (I typically download about 400mb per month), most users choose the unlimited option at ¥5,985 per month.
http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/price_plan/packet_full/index.html
Prices correct as of January 2009
Total cost
On top of the (Double) White plan and data charges, you’ll usually be paying for the phone itself (unless you bought it outright when signing up). The amount will depend on the deal you got at the time – mine is subsidised by Softbank (50%) so I’ll be paying about ¥2000 a month for the duration of the two year contract.
Visual voicemail is extra, costing about ¥315 per month.
In total, for someone who doesn’t use the phone much, you could expect to be paying about ¥10,000 a month. A lot of money? Perhaps, but it’s worth it.
English Support for iPhone users in Japan
Telephone support for English speakers http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/support/contact/customer/index.html
Softbank shops with English-speaking staff: http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/shop/index.html
Hi,
I was wondering if you know where pushed emails from my softbank email address is charged if I am using an iphone, from the 12500 packets? or will it be free? Softbanks brochure are kinda sketchy on this. I didnt get the Y44,000 yen unimited data promo so Im kinda edgy about breaking the 12,5000 packet barrier.
I’m not sure, but I would imagine that it would be from the 12500 packets.
You may get a more definite answer if you post your question in http://www.mobileinjapan.com/group/iphoneinjapan
Sorry to not be more helpful.
Hi there,
you seem to be a bit of an expert, so it’d be great if you have any knowledge of how to make calls with Skype from an iphone in Japan. I was given to understand that it’s possible if you are using Wi-fi rather than 3G. However, when I switch to my wi-fi option, Skype always tells me I’m “connecting”. Often, it’ll just stay like that. If ever it does connect, I either get a “Routing call” notice followed by a “call failed” message, or I get blocked from making the call itself with a message saying calls are not allowed on 3G (even though Wi-fi is switched on!?!?).
Sorry, but if you have any ideas it’d be great to hear them.
Thanks for your comment.
It sounds like you are doing everything right, so if I were you I would reinstall the app and try again. Connect to a wifi network and test that it is working by putting the iphone in aeroplane mode thus disabling 3G, and browsing any website with Safari. Then, launch the Skype app.
Also, try it on different wifi networks. Perhaps some public networks block calls over VOIP – that’s just a guess though.
You could also try asking for help in the iPhone in Japan group at http://www.mobileinjapan.com/group/iphoneinjapan
Hi! Firstly thanks for all the great info on this site! I just got an iPhone this week and have a question about “My Softbank.” I was able to get to the point of registering my ID but when it came to my Password, I could not figure it out. My understanding is that this Password is in one of the SMS messages I received from Softbank the day that I got the phone but that did not seem to work either; or that since my Japanese is very poor so I am making who knows how many mistakes.
Any help would be greatly appreciated because I think having access to My Softbank is kinda essential to keep track of expenditures, etc. Thanks!
Hi Nelson,
Thanks for your comment.
As it’s difficult to see exactly what you might be doing wrong, it’s difficult to advise.
But my understanding of it is that you should use that password in that SMS. I recommend you ask a Japanese friend help you.
Or. go to an English speaking softbank shop and they will do it for you
http://mb.softbank.jp/en/customer_support/shops.html
If you still have problems please post a message on
http://www.mobileinjapan.com/group/iphoneinjapan
I hope that helps
Hi,
I am also a newbie when it comes to the iphone. I was wondering if softbank charges for wi-fi use even if I am using my wi-fi connection at home and work while the iphone is in airplane mode?
Gerard
I will live in Japan till November. From November I don’t know if I will stay in Japan or move to another country (it depends on issues that I don’t have control over it…). I would like to have an iPhone 3GS, but my question is what will happen if I leave Japan in November (permanently)? will I be charged a lot for cancelling my 24 months contract so early ? Is there any month-month contract for the iPhone ? can there be any negotiation with the people from Softbank about that ? (I suppose is quite improbable…)
Thanks in advance…
Thanks for your message
The general rule is that you will have to pay the remainder of your contract. I cancelled my 3G contract after 7 months and had to pay 57,000 yen early cancellation fee.
That was 17 months x the monthly contract.
See http://www.mobileinjapan.com/group/iphoneinjapan/ if you have more questions
Thanks
First, thanks for all the great info. Small question in regards to skype. When using skype video with iPhone will you be charged per minute usage by softbank?