Is it better to switch from the old plan?Features of Rakuten Mobile's new rate plan and how to change it ｜ @DIME At DIME

As the fourth carrier, Rakuten Mobile entered the mobile carrier business (MNO) in 2020. The company's line area has also expanded significantly, and the rate plan "Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI", which allows unlimited data usage for up to 3,278 yen within the area, is also popular. In this article, I will explain how to change from the old plan to the current plan "Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI" and compare the old and new plans with each other.

How to change the plan of Rakuten Mobile

As of early June 2021, the only rate plan for new applicants is "Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI". New applications for Rakuten Mobile (docomo line / au line) call SIM rate plans "Super Hodai", "Combination Plan" and "Comicomi Plan", including the previous rate plan "Rakuten UN-LIMIT V" Not accepted.

The procedure for changing from the old plan to the current plan differs depending on which old plan you have subscribed to. Users who were using the "Rakuten UN-LIMIT V" plan are automatically switched to "Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI" as of April 1, 2021, so no special procedure is required.

On the other hand, users of "Super Hodai", "Combination Plan" and "Comicomi Plan" need to change the plan on the Web or at the store. As of June 2021, there is no announcement about how long the old plan can be used, but if you want to change the plan, there is no contract cancellation fee etc. and you can change it for free. Please check in advance for the procedure for changing, as the procedure differs between the Web and the store.

Access the member page "Members Station" for those who are using the old plan, and follow the steps below to make changes.

[Procedure for changing plan to Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI (Web)]

1. Access the member's station and follow the procedure from the plan change (migration) screen 2. Follow the instructions on the Rakuten line application screen (you can also purchase products and select optional services here) 3. Products and SIM Make initial settings when it arrives

The initial settings differ depending on the content of the application and the terminal you use, so let's set while checking the plan transfer method on the official page.

When performing the procedure at the store, it is the same procedure within Rakuten Mobile, but it is necessary to obtain an MNP reservation number. For a smooth plan change at the store, get an MNP reservation number in advance, prepare identity verification documents, etc. before visiting the store.

[Procedure for changing plan to Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI (store)]

1. Before going to the store, get the MNP reservation number from "Issuing / Confirming MNP Reservation Number" on the top page of "Members Station" 2. Prepare the necessary items ・ MNP reservation number issued in 1 ・ Identity verification Documents (driver's license, driving history certificate, my number card, etc.) ・ Rakuten member information (Rakuten member user ID, password) ・ Terminal in use 3. Go to the store and follow the staff's guidance to make changes.

Difference between the old plan and the "Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI" plan

* From the official website (https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/guide/migration/?tab-list=tab-menu4#migration-flow)

So what exactly is the difference between the old plan and the new plan? Here I would like to introduce three differences.

The monthly data capacity of "Super Hodai" and "Combination Plan" is set in advance, and the plan fee changes depending on the amount of data. With the "combination plan", you can carry over the data capacity or change the plan up to once a month, but you need to complete the procedure each time. The plan fee for the new plan "Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI" is set in four stages, and the fee changes according to the amount of data used.

With "Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI", you can make unlimited domestic calls using the dedicated app "Rakuten Link" for free. In the previous plan, you could make unlimited domestic calls within 10 minutes by using the "Rakuten Denwa" app, so the time limit has been removed in the current plan.

With the new plan "Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI", you can use SMS as much as you want by using the "Rakuten Link" app (excluding some overseas use). Since normal SMS is used for "Super Hodai" and "Combination Plan", a charge of "3 yen / 70 characters (double-byte)" will be incurred in Japan.

Should Rakuten Mobile old plan users change their plans to "Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI"?

Regardless of monthly data usage, the current "Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI" is generally cheaper than the old plan. Therefore, unless there are special circumstances, it is often more profitable to change the plan.

The price of the old plan is 3,278 yen for "Plan S", which is the cheapest in "Super Hodai", and about 1,760 yen for "Combination Plan 3.1GB Plan". On the other hand, "Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI" can be used for 0 yen from 0GB to 1GB (1,078 yen including tax from 0GB to 3GB after the second line), 1,078 yen up to 3GB, 2,178 yen up to 20GB, and 20GB or more. No matter how much you use it, it's 3,278 yen including tax.

However, what I want to check in advance is whether or not it is within the range of Rakuten's own line area. It is not unusable because it switches to the partner line (au) other than the company's line, but the data usage in the partner area is limited to 5GB / month (there is a speed limit if it exceeds 5BG). Check if it corresponds to the area you live in from the "Rakuten Line 4G LTE Area" on the official website.

* Data is as of early June 2021. * Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, we do not guarantee its accuracy. * Please use the product at your own risk.

Sentence / oki