What is J:COM Mobile?
J:COM Mobile is a low-cost SIM service introduced by J:COM, a joint venture between Japan's KDDI and Sumitomo Corporation established in 1995. J:COM primarily provides services like home broadband and cable television. J:COM Mobile, on the other hand, is a cost-effective mobile service introduced in recent years, known for its affordability. It's particularly suitable for students and individuals looking to minimize their communication expenses.
Here are some key details about J:COM Mobile:
| Network Signal | au |
|---|---|
| Monthly Fees (After Taxed) | 1GB：1,078円 5GB：1,628円 10GB：2,178円 20GB：2,728円 |
| Call Charges (After Tax) | 22円/30 seconds Unlimited Calling（5 minutes/per call）:550円 Unlimited Calling（60 minutes/per call）:1,650円 |
| Initial Costs (After Tax) | Transaction fee: 3,300円 *Online applications within fee |
| Minimum Usage Period | No minimum usage period requirements |
One notable feature of J:COM Mobile is that it is a viable choice for those seeking an affordable and reliable budget SIM card. J:COM Mobile is recommended for the following groups:
- Subscribers of other J:COM services (such as broadband fiber, cable television, electricity, etc.)
- Individuals with monthly data usage ranging from 10GB to 20GB.
Seven Advantages of J:COM Mobile
Save Money by Bundling with Other J:COM Services
In addition to offering cost-effective SIM card services, J:COM Co., Ltd. also provides broadband fiber and cable television services. If you subscribe to any other service while applying for a SIM card, you can increase your monthly data allowance for free. For example, a 1GB 1,078円 plan can be upgraded to 5GB for free, and you can get up to 10GB for free!
No Transaction Fees for Online Applications
Starting from September 2023, if you apply through the official website, you will no longer need to pay the 3,300 yen transaction fee, reducing your contract costs. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to apply through the official J:COM Mobile website.
Up to 1Mbps Speed Even with Usage Limits
Unlike many other SIM cards, J:COM Mobile continues to provide internet access at speeds of up to 1Mbps even after you have used up your data allowance. This is attractive for users who want to avoid speed restrictions when exceeding their data limits.
According to the feedback from Japanese users, the average speed of J:COM Mobile can reach 49.95Mbps for downloading and 9.85Mbps for uploading, which is very good in the low-cost SIM card.
5-Minute and 60-Minute Unlimited Calling Packages
You can also opt for unlimited calling packages as additional options. What sets J:COM Mobile apart from other budget SIM cards is that it offers a 60-minute unlimited calling package, suitable for users who need extended talk time.
| Unlimited Calling Packages | Price（after taxed） | 内容 |
|---|---|---|
| 5-minutes calling package | 550円 | 5GB Data+Unlimited Calling（5 minutes/per call） |
| 60-minutes calling package | 1,650円 | 10GB Data+Unlimited Calling（60 minutes/per call） |
Free Hotspot Sharing
Many mobile operators in Japan have the peculiar rule of charging extra for enabling hotspot sharing for internet access. However, J:COM Mobile's network sharing feature is free. This means you can use your phone as a hotspot to provide internet access to your computer without any additional cost.
Support from 45 J:COM Stores Nationwide
J:COM Mobile stores are spread across the country, which is relatively rare in the budget SIM card market. If you have any questions or need assistance, such as number portability, you can conveniently visit the nearest J:COM Mobile store for help.
However, these stores are mainly concentrated in the Kanto and Kansai regions, totaling 45. Please check the official website to see if there is a J:COM Mobile store in your area.
It should be noted that if you go to a physical store to apply for J:COM Mobile, you need to pay 3,300 yen transaction handling fee, but you do not need pay it for applying online.
Carry Over Unused Data to the Next Month
With J:COM Mobile, you can carry over unused data from the current month to the next. This means that if you only used 3GB out of a 5GB plan in a particular month, you will have a total of 7GB of available data in the following month.
This service helps prevent data waste, which is not offered by some other SIM providers.
J:COM Mobile Application Process
Prepare the Required Documents
First, prepare the following documents for your application:
- Identification document in Japan (Residence Card)
- Credit card
J:COM Mobile supports mainstream credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, American Express, SAISON, Rakuten, AEON, JACCS, MICARD, auPAY Card, and others.
J:COM Mobile primarily accepts credit card payments. However, after signing the contract with a credit card, you can contact the customer center to change the payment method to a bank account transfer.
Visit the J:COM Mobile Official Website
First, open the official website: https://www.jcom.co.jp/service/mobile/
Scroll down and click "ご検討中の方お申し込み" (Application for those considering).
On the selection page, "端末＋SIM" refers to purchasing a mobile phone and SIM card together. However, the choice of phones here is limited, with only the iPhone SE3 and a few Android options. For this demonstration, we will select "SIM" (SIM card only).
If your phone supports eSIM, you can consider choosing it from the second row.
Select the data capacity based on your needs. If you are also getting broadband or cable television services, you can increase your data allowance for free.
If you are a new J:COM Mobile customer, choose "乗り換えなし" (No transfer). If you are switching from another SIM provider, select "MNP他社からの乗り換え" (Switching from another MNP provider).
If you currently do not use any other J:COM services like broadband or cable television, select "いいえ" (No) for the question "ご自宅でJ:COMのサービスをご利用中ですか？" (Are you using J:COM services at home?).
At the bottom, you can choose a call package with options for 5 minutes/usage and 60 minutes/usage, or you can choose not to select any call package. The call charge is 22円/30 seconds after tax.
After making your selections, click "お申し込みへ進む" (Proceed to application) on the right.
The next page is for applicant information. Enter your name, birthdate, and phone number.
If you do not have a Japanese phone number, you can initially enter the phone number of a friend or classmate. After applying, J:COM Mobile will contact you via phone, so it's best if the person answering the call can have a basic conversation in Japanese.
After confirming your personal information and uploading your identification documents, click "この内容でお問い合わせ" (Inquiry with this information) and patiently wait for the phone verification.
Summary of J:COM Mobile
- J:COM Mobile is a low-cost SIM card developed by J:COM for use with au network signals.
- Even with speed restrictions, the 10GB and 20GB plans can achieve communication speeds of up to 1Mbps.
- Unused data capacity can be carried over to the next month, minimizing waste.
- Online applications are exempt from contract handling fees.
- There is no contract period; you can cancel anytime.
- Mobile phones can be purchased alongside the SIM card.
- When bundling with broadband or cable television services, you can increase your data allowance for free.
J:COM Mobile is known for its transparent pricing structure, emphasis on affordability, and suitability for everyday use, making it a budget-friendly SIM card suitable for everyone.
