Check out the unexpected “pros and cons” traps of the new docomo charge “ahamo” – Japanese English version



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NTT Docomo’s new “ahamo” rate plan allows you to use up to 20GB of data for 2,980 yen per month. I tried to classify the advantages and disadvantages.

■ Benefits

First, let’s review the benefits of ahamo. Regarding the content related to data communication, it supports both 4G and 5G, and in addition to being able to be used in 82 countries and overseas regions at no additional charge, it can communicate at a maximum of 1 Mbps even after exceeding 20 GB . If you don’t have enough data, you can add it for 500 yen for 1GB. However, please note that the communication speed will be limited if you use it abroad for more than 15 days.

As for calls, if you can make a domestic call in 5 minutes, you can make as many domestic calls as you want in 5 minutes, but domestic calls longer than 5 minutes are 20 every 30 seconds. Charges for calls in yen will be charged separately. For those who make frequent calls for 5 minutes or more, they can make unlimited domestic calls 24 hours a day by subscribing to the separately prepared option of 1000 yen. However, national calls to all you can call do not apply to connection services of other companies, such as (0570) and (0180), special numbers (188) and (189), directory of numbers and satellite phones .

Also, unlike previous rate plans, there is no so-called “two-year bond” (two-year fixed-term contract), regardless of long or short-term contracts, and there is no administrative fee at the time of contract. For this reason, even people who want to try ahamo can register freely.

■ Disadvantages

At first glance, ahamo looks good, but it also has some downsides. First of all, you can hire only on the dedicated site, not on the docomo store. It is not possible to make new contracts, plan changes or procedures to change from other companies in the docomo Store.

Also, when switching from another company to ahamo, it is necessary to prepare in advance the reservation number to take over the current mobile phone number and the account information required for the monthly payment, and then request it from the dedicated site.

Also note that you can only register at ahamo over the age of 20. For example, if you want a child under the age of 20 to have a smartphone with an ahamo contract, you must purchase it on behalf of a parent or guardian before registering as a user. Also, if a docomo contractor hires ahamo by May 2021, the NPM procedures will be required.

It is important to note that not only the procedure can be applied but also the family discount. For example, with the current rate plan, you can apply a “family discount” if you subscribe to multiple lines. Domestic calls between family members will be free for 24 hours and monthly charges will be discounted up to 1000 yen for each line.

However, these benefits cannot be applied no matter how many lines you subscribe to ahamo, and the retirement account will be different. Those who are considering changing as a family rather than being alone should know these points.

Also, the models that can be used may be limited. Regarding compatible models, DoCoMo has commented that it will be released in the future, but at this time there is no guarantee that the model you are currently using can be used continuously, and I do not know if you will be able to use the iPhone.

Also, if an existing docomo user changes models or changes another company, we are considering if the SIM card needs to be replaced (company public relations).

Also, let’s mention the fact that we cannot take care of all the services provided by Docomo. First, for the moment, you can take care of d accounts and d points. According to Docomo, account member information d and point balance d can be retrieved by following the prescribed procedure.

The service that has been decided not to take over is docomo Mail (the so-called transport mail). For example, people who are in contact with mobile phone users through docomo mail should be careful, but users like Gmail and Yahoo! Mail don’t seem to care.

■ What type of person is ahamo recommended for?

In this way, ahamo has some points to take into account, such as the points where family discounts are not applicable and the points where it is not possible to contract in a docomo store, but for example, when contracting with a family of four, the article from Mr. Tatsuya Yamamoto as well As mentioned, if you keep the two lines as cheap SIM and the remaining two lines as ahamo, the total cost of maintenance will be cheaper.

As a single person, you can choose ahamo for the purpose of “test contract for a docomo 5G line”, or if you are an MVNO user who is not satisfied with the slow communication speed, you can switch to ahamo.

Also, it is considerably cheaper than the “Ultra Data L Pack” and the “Data Flat-rate 20” which can be used up to 20GB for 6000 yen per month provided by Docomo and au, so it is recommended to change the rate plan previous. it is.

However, since the ahamo service will begin in March 2021, there is a possibility that au and Softbank will announce a matching plan by then. Just because ahamo is the main brand and the new price is cheaper than other companies, it is important not to jump immediately, but to think carefully compared to the pricing plan you are currently hiring.




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