Softbank cell/internet/television package?

[kickFlip]

Hi-hi,

Just did a search and didn't find much on this specific subject... wondering if you can help?
Does Softbank offer cellphone, internet and television packages? It looks like they are affiliated with SpinNet and one of the posts in my search said that they do some pretty hardcore web-filtering. I'll probably go with other GP users' advice of hitting up Newsgroups instead of torrenting, anyways, but I digress.

I know there's J:Com which actually looks pretty good. I'd like to be with Softbank, as, when we move to Japan, I'd like to get an iPhone (for the GPS map function). Would I have any options with Softbank?

Actually, I have a few more questions, if I may ask:

- in the posts I read during my search, many users seem to want a landline. I've been living (in Canada) without a landline for over 8 years, so I am wondering if having one in Japan is important?

- would it be prudent for my wife and I to consider being with the same cell phone carrier? Do they offer "free au-to-au calling" or "free Softbank-to-Softbank calling"?

Thank-you for your advice!

[iago]

Hi-hi,

Just did a search and didn't find much on this specific subject... wondering if you can help?
Does Softbank offer cellphone, internet and television packages? It looks like they are affiliated with SpinNet and one of the posts in my search said that they do some pretty hardcore web-filtering. I'll probably go with other GP users' advice of hitting up Newsgroups instead of torrenting, anyways, but I digress.

I know there's J:Com which actually looks pretty good. I'd like to be with Softbank, as, when we move to Japan, I'd like to get an iPhone (for the GPS map function). Would I have any options with Softbank?

Actually, I have a few more questions, if I may ask:

- in the posts I read during my search, many users seem to want a landline. I've been living (in Canada) without a landline for over 8 years, so I am wondering if having one in Japan is important?

- would it be prudent for my wife and I to consider being with the same cell phone carrier? Do they offer "free au-to-au calling" or "free Softbank-to-Softbank calling"?

Thank-you for your advice!

AU can offer mobile, internet and TV as they are part of the KDDI group:

http://www.auone-net.jp/index.html

I haven't seen a similar lineup from Softbank or Docomo.

You can get free AU to AU calling on AU and free Softbank to Softbank calling on SB, depending on which plan you choose. Docomo probably offer the same, but I haven't looked.

Traditional landlines are relatively expensive and I think many people survive without one.

[kickFlip]

AU can offer mobile, internet and TV as they are part of the KDDI group:

http://www.auone-net.jp/index.html

I haven't seen a similar lineup from Softbank or Docomo.

You can get free AU to AU calling on AU and free Softbank to Softbank calling on SB, depending on which plan you choose. Docomo probably offer the same, but I haven't looked.

Traditional landlines are relatively expensive and I think many people survive without one.

Thanks very much for your tips. I checked out the Au One site you linked and it looks pretty good. Softbank seems to me like it's a mobile-focused carrier and doesn't offer television or internet services. Too bad, as I really would like to get an iPhone.

Okay, so my options are down to Au One (lots of options of mobile phones) and J:Com. I've read in other posts on Gaijin Pot that Yahoo BB is the sux0rz, so I won't even consider them right now (and I'm not sure if they have mobile and television offerrings).

Now that Softbank is not a top-contender for me any longer (I really want an iPhone for Google Maps), could anyone recommend a specific cellphone/carrier that would give excellent Maps service (in Eigo)? Not sure what the availability of Android-based phones are in Japan, but I'm guessing that those would be the next best choice. Any carriers that offer Android phones?

Thanks again for your suggestions!

[PUNCHtoTHEguts]

KickFlip,

Why is it so important to have the same carrier for your mobile, TV and internet?
I could be wrong but I doubt you'd save much money by having the 3 under the same umbrella.

You definitely want to have the same carrier as your wife as stated. save a bundle in calling costs.

As for the landline...
Those more up with techno trends go with an IP phone via their internet provider if they want a home phone.

[kickFlip]

KickFlip,

Why is it so important to have the same carrier for your mobile, TV and internet?
I could be wrong but I doubt you'd save much money by having the 3 under the same umbrella.

Heya, PunchtotheGuts,

Since I'm not really up-and-up on the individual costs of these services, I was just trying to combine them, thinking that the total package would bring significant-enough savings to warrant me doing so. But from your impression, we wouldn't be saving much anyways? Could you give an estimated savings of non-packaged vs. packaged services?

You definitely want to have the same carrier as your wife as stated. save a bundle in calling costs.

Right-o. Will get us both on the same carrier. She's not a gadget-freak at all (that would be me), so as long as she can make calls and send emails, she's good. Hopefully, Softbank's call-quality and data-quality are decent.

As for the landline...
Those more up with techno trends go with an IP phone via their internet provider if they want a home phone.

I'm hooked in with Skype, so that takes care of my Internet Phone needs... unless there are other positives of going VOIP vs. Skype?

Thanks very much for your insight.

[Shakes Spear]

Heya, PunchtotheGuts,

Since I'm not really up-and-up on the individual costs of these services, I was just trying to combine them, thinking that the total package would bring significant-enough savings to warrant me doing so. But from your impression, we wouldn't be saving much anyways? Could you give an estimated savings of non-packaged vs. packaged services?

Haha! Please leave your common sense at immigration when you get to Japan. This is a country that sells beer at the same per-can price regardless of whether it's one beer or a case. If your Japanese ability is low, especially kanji, go with SoftBank and get the iPhone. It will make your life a whole lot easier. Skip a hardline phone and make sure you can get fiber internet. You can also do without paid television for the most part too, especially if you're interested in overseas programming. You'd be better off spending a few bucks a month to get a VPN (virtual private network) so that you can watch all of the streamed shows from your home country.