Japan - Cell companies - which one?

For those who are long term residents.

Which phone company do you subscribe to and why?

There are so many, Soft Bank, Au, KDD, Docomo - I'm I missing one?

I am leaning toward Softbank because of their iphones but I keep hearing that Soft Bank coverage is not so good. That Docomo has the best coverage.

I have been to Bic Camera and Yodabashi and have come out more confused. Of course part of the problem is a language barrier I have but these plans are getting to be so complicated. (I realize that complicated plans are not just a Japan thing) Any suggestions from you folks would be appreciated.

For those who are long term residents.

Which phone company do you subscribe to and why?

There are so many, Soft Bank, Au, KDD, Docomo - I'm I missing one?

I am leaning toward Softbank because of their iphones but I keep hearing that Soft Bank coverage is not so good. That Docomo has the best coverage.

I have been to Bic Camera and Yodabashi and have come out more confused. Of course part of the problem is a language barrier I have but these plans are getting to be so complicated. (I realize that complicated plans are not just a Japan thing) Any suggestions from you folks would be appreciated.

Some of the Phone companies that offer cellular/phs service in Japan are:

NTT Docomo
AU by KDDI
Softbank

Willcom PHS

Emobile by E Access

Disney Mobile:p (both Softbank and Docomo)


I have subscribed to both AU by KDDI and Softbank. AU in my opinion has better coverage than Softbank, especially if you are in a semi-rural area. The plans, although confusing, are way cheaper than anything in our homeland.

You can get an Apple Iphone at both Softbank and AU by KDDI. Docomo does not offer the Apple in it's line-up.

Spent about 15 years with DoCoMo and am now with Softbank in mt 3rd year or so. They both have insanely good coverage compared to the garbage that is US cell phone coverage. You will be happy either place. I find DoCoMo plan better for families with multiple phones fr inter-family calling, but iPhones are not at DoCoMo.

Mike

For those who are long term residents.

Which phone company do you subscribe to and why?

There are so many, Soft Bank, Au, KDD, Docomo - I'm I missing one?

I am leaning toward Softbank because of their iphones but I keep hearing that Soft Bank coverage is not so good. That Docomo has the best coverage.

I have been to Bic Camera and Yodabashi and have come out more confused. Of course part of the problem is a language barrier I have but these plans are getting to be so complicated. (I realize that complicated plans are not just a Japan thing) Any suggestions from you folks would be appreciated.

KDD no longer exists - in 2000 the company merged with IDO to form KDDI, which provides serves under the "au" brand.

I subscribe to DoCoMo and au. DoCoMo is generally said to have the best coverage, and Softbank the worst. The same goes for service as far as I know.

It's going to depend on where you use the phone most often. I switched from au to Softbank to get an iPhone a little over a year ago. One place I go to often has better reception with Softbank (a pleasant surprise), while others that au worked well at are much less reliable now. Most urban places will probably be the same. But, if you're going to often be in an area with potential spotty coverage, it's best to ask others around you.

Softbank will give you a free antenna (femtocell) under certain conditions if reception in your home is bad.

Sorry, can't find an English page about that at the moment:
http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/service/home_antenna_ft/

I have used a Softbank iPhone for a couple years now and have no complaints. Before that I was using E-Mobile and often ran into spotty signal issues, though it was nice to have unlimited data tethering for my PC. I didn't even bother to have home internet back then; the E-Mobile tethering was fast enough for most purposes.

If your significant other is also getting a phone, keep in mind that Softbank lets you call other Softbank subscribers at no extra charge outside peak evening hours.

KDD no longer exists - in 2000 the company merged with IDO to form KDDI, which provides serves under the "au" brand.

I subscribe to DoCoMo and au. DoCoMo is generally said to have the best coverage, and Softbank the worst. The same goes for service as far as I know.

DoCoMo has great coverage but so does Softbank. Softbank is far better in Minato-Ku near the tall buildings of Roppongi. DoCoMo struggles to such an extent that repeaters hav had to be installed throughout office towers there.

As for service, try calling DoCoMo in English and then try the same with Softbank. Night and day. Softbank wins that one hands down.

In my experience with both companies, I have to say that it is a toss up and if there is a particular model you favor and it is available at one or the other company you will be fine either place.

I have 2 phones - one from Softbank and another from au. Frankly au's reception is far better (and faster) than Softbank's.

AU is a bit more expensive but I feel it's worth the premium - I can literally hold my phones side by side in the subway and see how much quicker (20 seconds or so) it is for my AU phone to get a signal.

I'd also recommend seeing if any friends have an iphone - I had one and numerous friends did and we all had various issues (some of which were huge) with the phones. I had far too many problems with the phone and Apple's updates (which almost always turned into some 2 hour long ordeal).

Some Softbank stores have foreigners working and are more than capable of providing excellent service in multiple languages. Softbank Ebisubashi (in Osaka) has always had foreigners working there and I was helped by a Chinese woman at the one in Yodobashi Umeda (don't know if she spoke English or not).

The differences in reception really vary from area to area, and change constantly as new towers come online, so it's probably best to talk to people who live/work in your area and see what their experience is like. A few years ago I used to always hear that Docomo > AU > Softbank, but Softbank has improved a lot in recent years and are planning to dramatically outspend everyone else on new infrastructure in coming years. Their phones now maintain signal inside many Tokyo subway tunnels, which was not the case a year ago. And I can often get signal in underground izakaya/cafes when my AU and Docomo friends can't.

If you live in Japan with a long-term visa, take full advantage of MNP or Mobile Number Portability.

Competition between the carriers are very tough these days. For example, one of the cell phone shops in Tokyo is currently offering

75,000 yen mail-in rebate
Free phone HTC EVO3D

for new subscribers to au utilizing MNP
Check out their tweets : https://twitter.com/#!/teluru_cosmo

I've been monitoring the situation.
To docomo(formerly DoCoMo) 40,000 yen rebate has always been around.

Usually it costs 13000 yen to port out( early termination fee + MNP handling fee) and 3000 yen to port in (new contract fee). But, 75000 yen!

It is said short-term termination (under 6 months) may put you in the carrier's black list.

If you live in Japan with a long-term visa, take full advantage of MNP or Mobile Number Portability.

Competition between the carriers are very tough these days. For example, one of the cell phone shops in Tokyo is currently offering

75,000 yen mail-in rebate
Free phone HTC EVO3D

for new subscribers to au utilizing MNP
Check out their tweets : https://twitter.com/#!/teluru_cosmo

I've been monitoring the situation.
To docomo(formerly DoCoMo) 40,000 yen rebate has always been around.

Usually it costs 13000 yen to port out( early termination fee + MNP handling fee) and 3000 yen to port in (new contract fee). But, 75000 yen!

It is said short-term termination (under 6 months) may put you in the carrier's black list.

Wow!!! You are saying that if one ports a telephone number from another carrier to au, you get a 75000 yen rebate plus a new HTC Evo?

Very cool.

Wow!!! You are saying that if one ports a telephone number from another carrier to au, you get a 75000 yen rebate plus a new HTC Evo?

Very cool.

I vote Softbank.
I had Docomo for many years, but switched for the iPhone and was always happy. Reception really isn't an issue like everywhere else. It's pretty good for all services.
;)

Wow!!! You are saying that if one ports a telephone number from another carrier to au, you get a 75000 yen rebate plus a new HTC Evo?

Very cool.

Yeah. That's what they advertise. Taiwanese EVO 3D may be thrilling you.

If it is sold out, another branch is doing that @73,000 yen. https://twitter.com/#!/search/telurukawasaki

These promos will end on Feb 29 though I believe similar ones will come again in March, when the fiscal 2011 finishes and many businesses want their goal reached.