I’m thinking to switch providers (from U mobile). I’m
still on 4g and spoke with them about 5g, but was surprised to hear there’s no plans to offer 5g service in the foreseeable future… 🙁
Currently I’m on an unlimited data plan but no free minutes so calls are pricey. Looking to switch to something on 5g with unlimited data, and if poss, also unlimited calls – or at least a decent chunk of free minutes per month.
Any good ideas out there?
TIA for any advice or suggestions 🙏😊
Edit to add: strong pref to be able to have monthly bill charged to credit card NOT bank direct debit so its contributing to my CC points/miles
7 comments
The only thing I can think with those requirements is Rakuten. They have the unlimited plan for about 3,000 yen and they have unlimited calls on their voip app. Some people complain about the coverage, but it hasn’t been a problem for me. They accept credit cards.
[Rakuten’s Saikyo](https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/fee/saikyo-plan/) plan, where the monthly price depends on the amount of data you use. It starts at JPY990/month if you use under 3Gb, and “unlimited” data is capped at JPY2,980/month.
Unlimited free outgoing calls and SMSs (but you have to use their voip app for it) is a nice plus as well, and free global roaming data (2Gb limit, then it falls to low speed).
Supposedly, some have said they have pretty poor coverage; but I haven’t had that problem. I’m based in Tokyo however, and that might make a difference.
You can check [their coverage maps](https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/area/), as well as the bands your phone supports if you’re [bringing your own device](https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/product/certified-products/?l-id=campaign_byod_product_certified-products).
docomo/eximo unlimited plan. it’s 8000/month without discounts but it actually has proper coverage. the usual price is 7000-ish but extra 980 yen is for free outgoing calls up to 5mins. incoming calls are always free on any provider.
also make sure your device can actually work with japanese carrier 5g (bands/support). iphone does, not all android stuff will.
Rakuten Mobile user here. I recently switched from their MVNO service that used Docomo to their native service that uses Rakuten’s own. Rakuten is basically a work in progress.
The thing coverage maps don’t show is the reception indoors/underground, which depending on your day-to-day, might matter a lot. For example I get absolutely no reception in the hallway in my office, zero on the toilet, it’s alright at my desk, and anywhere outside the building is completely fine. If I need to take a private call/zoom, I basically have to exit the building. And this is in Otemachi, right next to Tokyo station.
Rakuten Mobile simply doesn’t offer the bands necessary to provide this kind of indoor coverage. For their part they’ve recognized this as an issue and are working to address it: MIC just announced on October 23rd that they’re awarding two 700MHz bands to Rakuten Mobile. Rakuten estimated they’ll begin adding support for those bands to their towers in December/early 2024, so hopefully the reception situation will improve soon.
Rakuten has unlimited roaming on au now, so anywhere au has coverage Rakuten should too. I live somewhere pretty inaka in Kansai and the only huge coverage holes are in the tunnels on the train to Osaka.
I am pretty happy with Nuro Mobile. Let’s you choose which network you want to use.
ahamo is under docomo, widest coverage in Japan, and gives you 20gb and 5 minute free calls for 2970 yen. you get unlimited domestic calling for an additional 1100 yen.