I’ve scoured the subreddit and google for information about my particular issue, but nothing seems to give me the exact information I need. I’m looking for some guidance and peace of mind as I switch my mobile provider.
I’ve been an AU KDDI user for about 9 years and four months… I haven’t had any problems with the company minus the few data outages and what-not. However, I am looking to decrease my monthly bill as it’s currently about 6000 yen for 20 GB of data. I’m not using nearly that much monthly anymore, so in the rollover I often end up with 32 GB of data or more. I want to switch to one of the cheaper carriers, and switching within the AU family to povo or UQmobile seems like it would be ok, but I’ve heard that Rakuten might be better.
Figuring that out is just a matter of pricing and deciding, but any advice or recommendations are welcome.
My main question is that I have an iPhone 8 that is on it’s last leg. It is dying, rapidly. It’s max charge is about 90% and if I’m not leaving it plugged in, the battery dies within 20-30 minutes. I have considered just replacing the battery, but I’ve been struggling with the storage capacity for a while anyways, so I’m thinking now is a good time to upgrade my phone. If I were upgrade my phone at AU, then turn around apply for an MNP, would they give me any trouble? There seems to be no cancellation fee if I apply for MNP and I 100% want to keep the same number I’ve been using. Is there a better way to do this? If I do upgrade my phone at AU, according to the information I found online, I could still pay off any installment payment plans even without the contract.
Any advice is greatly appreciated, I’m hoping to go this weekend to get it all sorted!
AU’s information about contract cancellation: [https://www.au.com/content/dam/au-com/static/designs/extlib/pdf/mobile/information/goriyo\_e.pdf](https://www.au.com/content/dam/au-com/static/designs/extlib/pdf/mobile/information/goriyo_e.pdf)
More information from AU, specifically about MNP: [https://www.au.com/content/dam/au-com/english/mobile/information/06020000\_mnp\_Instructions\_en.pdf](https://www.au.com/content/dam/au-com/english/mobile/information/06020000_mnp_Instructions_en.pdf)
This is the specific section about installment payments:
■ Installment Payment Contracts – Installment payment contracts will continue, and your remaining installments will continue to be billed. Please contact the Customer Support Center if you wish to pay this in lump sum. Once your request for lump sum payment has been processed, payments cannot be split regardless of whether you are canceling your contract.
3 comments
If you upgrade with AU and use a payment plan that included a discount, you will be forced to pay off the rest of the phone when you cancel your service. If you just bought a phone straight, without a discount, you will need to pay it off over 48 months or whatever term that you chose.
Don’t do Rakuten though, unless you live in central Tokyo, never ride the subway or enter office buildings. You won’t have any service.
Do Povo 1.0 or UQ Mobile for better service.
Changing your phone batteries is an option too, although I’d understand if you want to upgrade.
Does POVO (or any other big-three MNVO) offer a phone you want? I’d attach one to the new plan, if you can’t afford a new one outright.