3 Major Japan Mobile Carriers Mulling eSIM Tech Introduction
Japan’s three major mobile phone carriers have indicated their plans to consider introducing embedded subscriber identity module, or eSIM, technology to facilitate carrier changes. More about Japan eSIM tech below.
The big three, NTT Docomo Inc., KDDI Corp. and SoftBank Corp. revealed the plans at a meeting of experts held by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on Tuesday.
eSIM is a next generation of Subscriber Identity Module and stands for “embedded SIM”. It’s a tiny chip designed to be built in a wide range of devices including consumer smartphones. Unlike traditional SIM cards, eSIM allows users to switch network carrier profiles remotely without having to switch out their SIM card from one place to another. Because of this flexibility of switching carriers, it’s easy to imagine that this is a game-changer for travelers wanting to use mobile internet in different countries. As long as your phone has an eSIM, you no longer need to purchase a local SIM card to use mobile internet at the local rate.
eSIM is standardized by GSMA (GSM Association), a trade body that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide, and they have been working on specifications for the eSIM to make it work globally with any mobile network service provider.
Last week NTT Docomo Inc. unveiled a new budget smartphone plan that is considerably cheaper than those of its chief rivals on Thursday as Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s government relentlessly prods telecom giants to slash costs as many struggle to make ends meet during the pandemic.
Japan’s largest mobile phone carrier by number of subscribers said it will launch a new monthly plan that will cost ¥2,980 for 20GB of data and free domestic calls that last five minutes or less, the cheapest plan among the nation’s three major carriers.
NTT Docomo President Motoyuki Ii said Docomo is targeting young users, a demographic with whom the carrier has been losing ground, with the new offer. Japan esim tech
Here are some indicative prepaid SIM card prices: eSIM Activation
