I’ve been using Nomad for a couple of months due to the easy to purchase and install eSIM, but the cellular speeds are usually absolute garbage even though it says 4G. Any recommendations for mobile carriers which are actually fast? 5G would be nice, but fast 4G is just fine too.
Come to think of it, could this be an issue with my European iPhone not being compatible with the cellular network in Japan?
EDIT: I just need cellular data, no need for phone or SMS.
6 comments
Newer iPhones shouldn’t be a problem band-wise, but check willmyphonework . net to confirm.
Ahamo, Povo, etc are good choices – they directly owned by the major carriers and are budget-friendly.
You’ve a couple of options, and most of them will support 5G out of the gate since you mentioned you have a recent iPhone.
Using ahamo for more than a year now. 3000 yen gets you 20GB of data and international roaming (after 15 days your speeds are capped). eSim was fairly easy to setup. 5G coverage is pretty good under the NTT Docomo network. I’ve since upgraded to the 100Gb plan for an additional 2k a month, thanks to my company shouldering the cost.
If you like “topping up” your data instead, Povo gives you reasonable data packages with quite a long validity. 5G should work off the bat and also has good coverage under AU’s network.
IIJMobile is pretty good, operating on Docomo Network. You can get a 20Gb sim for ~￥3,000 per month with 1 month of unused data rollover. In Central Tokyo I’m regularly getting 100Mbps+ on the 5G band and ~80Mbps on 4G. They also offer esim I believe but I’m not using one.
I use Ahamo. 20GB a month. Also has international roaming included for two weeks per month, 20GB. Useful for trips abroad.
iPhones will work just fine with any Japanese carrier (source: I have a UK iPhone 13). Don’t worry about the compatibility.
Consider Linemo (SoftBank), Ahamo (Docomo) or Povo (AU). How much data do you need? Linemo and Ahamo come with 20 gigs per month with Ahamo having the option to increase, whilst Povo can be the most cost effective as you buy data packs called “toppings” that can last from 30 to 180 days. You’ll get 5G with any of those carriers depending on where you live.
Docomo’s network is generally considered the best with the widest coverage, where AU has a similar slightly smaller coverage area with higher speeds depending on who you ask.
linemos p solid