Softbank Sucks -- the carrier situation in Japan

[FG Lurker]

When digging for a bit of information to reply to Canman's question in this thread I came across a very interesting and informative blog about the state of Japan's various mobile carriers: Softbank Sucks.

There is a ton of interesting stuff in here, including bits about the J-govt's unlocking plans, Docomo's IMEI registration, and of course all sorts of posts about general Softbank suckage.

It's the best source of English J-carrier info that I have seen yet.

[wuchan]

Softbank:
Not gaijin friendly
Poured cash into slush funds when the sim unlock thing began to gain speed.
Has shit service
Doesn't work in elevators, tunnels, inaka.


Apple is running into a strange situation in the US. AT&T can no longer handle the exclusive contract due to system overload problems. They are expected to unlock all 4G iphones within six months. Softbank will be fucked if the other carriers can offer affordable data plans for unlocked phones.

[alicia454]

[Kuang_Grade]

Apple is running into a strange situation in the US. AT&T can no longer handle the exclusive contract due to system overload problems. They are expected to unlock all 4G iphones within six months..

I can't see this happening in the US. 1) it will mean that apple would give up a kergillion dollars in monthly payments from AT&T ( I believe that apple recognizes the AT&T portion of the payment for iphone (ie, the difference between $99 selling price and whatever Apple actually charges AT&T for it) month by month over a 2 year period.....2) it would mean that apple would become like nokia and somehow would try their hand at selling $500 unlocked phones in the US themselves. Unlocked phones are super small part of the US market, nor do the carriers really open up their arms for unlocked phones outside of prepaid plans.. In all likelihood by next year, Apple will offer the iphone to another US carrier who will then get swamped with fed up AT&T customers, and this combined with the elimination of the unlimited data plans, should help AT&Ts network service to start to function...at least in some markets.

[FG Lurker]

Also, since I live in Tokyo, I have not had any reception problems with Softbank. I don't doubt that other Softbank customers may have problems in less populated areas, but that has not been an issue for me here.

Tokyo is actually one of the areas with the worst problems. Softbank's Tokyo network (in areas like Shibuya) is way over capacity, especially on weekends.

Outside of Tokyo the urban coverage is okay but no matter where you are Docomo's 3G data performance far exceeds that of Softbank's. The difference is shockingly large but if you've never compared the two side by side you wouldn't know how much speed you're missing. (In my experience it's anywhere from 2x to 10x faster depending on location.)

These problems are partly Softbank's fault but also partly created by the Japanese government. For whatever reason the J-gov't won't license Softbank a chunk of 800MHz spectrum. Docomo has such a license so they have been able to increase their network capacity without putting up additional cell towers. Softbank's only option is to put up more towers, something that is extremely expensive to do.

I do fully support unlocking, and very much disagree with Softbank's opposition to it.

I actually don't care so much if domestic phones are unlocked as 99% of them are crap. What I hope to see is Docomo selling SIM cards a-la-carte so I can buy an unlocked iPhone or Android handset and get a good data contract with Docomo to use it in Japan.

[Yokohammer]

These problems are partly Softbank's fault but also partly created by the Japanese government. For whatever reason the J-gov't won't license Softbank a chunk of 800MHz spectrum. Docomo has such a license so they have been able to increase their network capacity without putting up additional cell towers. Softbank's only option is to put up more towers, something that is extremely expensive to do.

Could this have something to do with the fact that Docomo is basically NTT, which was, not that long ago, a government monopoly? Lots of amakudari parasites still there, I would imagine.

[CrankyBastard]

I remember it wasn't that long ago when Son's Yahoo BB went head to head with NTT to break their monopoly on internet line services (NTT had poured money and resources into their soon to be defunct ISDN overpriced crap system)and in spite of masses of LDP govt red tape, Son's ADSL initiative managed to win through and start an internet service revolution.
Although his Softbank practices leave much to be desired, he was instrumental in forcing NTT's hand to relinquish it's stronghold on the then internet access market.

[American Oyaji]

Verizon to get the iPhone in January.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-06-29/verizon-wireless-said-to-start-offering-iphone-ending-at-t-s-exclusivity.html

[SBS]

FGL, thanks for the post - would have registered to say thanks earlier, but I just realized where the spike in traffic came from

Cheers,
SBS

[FG Lurker]

FGL, thanks for the post - would have registered to say thanks earlier, but I just realized where the spike in traffic came from

Not at all, thanks for the interesting and very informative blog!

I saw the traffic graph you posted and wondered if some of that big spike came from FG.

I hope you stick around on FG now that you've found it.

[Taro Toporific]

[Cyka UchuuJin]

So here's a weird Softobanko situation.

I've been with them since they were J-phone. Then signed on as Vodafone. Then in 2007 signed the new Softbank contract, and was grandfather claused on the 'no gaijin without work/resident permit' thing because i'd had the number since 2004 and was on an autodebit credit card postpaid thing. never had any problems with roaming at all, until two days ago when i turned my phone on. i can receive calls (obviously i'm not in japan right now) and texts, but can't send any, and when i try to make a call, even back to japan, i get a 'your subscription has been blocked, please contact your home provider' message in english.

any idea of what they're up to? or if it'll be ok when i get to tokyo on tuesday. i'm a little worried that i'll have to rock up to softbank to get the situation sorted and they'll yank the grandfathering away. or can i switch my contract over to a friend so the number stays as it is?

[Typhoon]

So here's a weird Softobanko situation.

I've been with them since they were J-phone. Then signed on as Vodafone. Then in 2007 signed the new Softbank contract, and was grandfather claused on the 'no gaijin without work/resident permit' thing because i'd had the number since 2004 and was on an autodebit credit card postpaid thing. never had any problems with roaming at all, until two days ago when i turned my phone on. i can receive calls (obviously i'm not in japan right now) and texts, but can't send any, and when i try to make a call, even back to japan, i get a 'your subscription has been blocked, please contact your home provider' message in english.

any idea of what they're up to? or if it'll be ok when i get to tokyo on tuesday. i'm a little worried that i'll have to rock up to softbank to get the situation sorted and they'll yank the grandfathering away. or can i switch my contract over to a friend so the number stays as it is?

Fwiw, I've overseas now, tried calling Japan on my Softbank phone and it worked okay.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

Fwiw, I've overseas now, tried calling Japan on my Softbank phone and it worked okay.

hmmm, then it's got to be something with the account. it's still on the same autopay credit card that it has been registered with since 2004. i haven't changed a thing about it. and i was able to phone/text to japan just a few weeks ago.

i'm assuming that you're a bonifide card carrying gaijin though, yes? my worry is that because i am no longer resident there, they are trying to shut me off.

[cujojpn]

I'm in a similar situation...well worried when i get back to Japan with my softbank situation.

I racked this bad boy up and booked back to the states in fear.

Description Price:
Domestic voice call \525
SMS \158
Web \227,869

I fear once I go back to Japan, and even step foot in a softbank they will tackle me and force me to pay the past due.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

that's not actually a similar situation. my bills are autopaid every month off my credit card and have never missed a payment, so i am not concerned that this a payment issue. it's whether or not they're trying to cut off my service because i'm not a resident anymore.

[CrankyBastard]

So here's a weird Softobanko situation.

I've been with them since they were J-phone. Then signed on as Vodafone. Then in 2007 signed the new Softbank contract, and was grandfather claused on the 'no gaijin without work/resident permit' thing because i'd had the number since 2004 and was on an autodebit credit card postpaid thing. never had any problems with roaming at all, until two days ago when i turned my phone on. i can receive calls (obviously i'm not in japan right now) and texts, but can't send any, and when i try to make a call, even back to japan, i get a 'your subscription has been blocked, please contact your home provider' message in english.

any idea of what they're up to? or if it'll be ok when i get to tokyo on tuesday. i'm a little worried that i'll have to rock up to softbank to get the situation sorted and they'll yank the grandfathering away. or can i switch my contract over to a friend so the number stays as it is?

Could be Softbank have wound down the service plan you have with them and need an address to contact you.
Similar thing happened to my son with AU after he left the digs he was in.
Hope you get it sorted.

[omae mona]

I'm in a similar situation...well worried when i get back to Japan with my softbank situation.

I racked this bad boy up and booked back to the states in fear.

Description Price:
Domestic voice call \525
SMS \158
Web \227,869

I fear once I go back to Japan, and even step foot in a softbank they will tackle me and force me to pay the past due.

Let me get this straight. You
1. Racked up near $3000 in data charges (was that just 1 month's usage?)
2. Fled the country to avoid paying the bill
3. Are thinking about signing up with the same carrier when you come back to Japan, and hoping they forgive the debt?

Did I get that right?

[matsuki]

Let me get this straight. You
1. Racked up near $3000 in data charges (was that just 1 month's usage?)
2. Fled the country to avoid paying the bill
3. Are thinking about signing up with the same carrier when you come back to Japan, and hoping they forgive the debt?

Did I get that right?

Yeah, not exactly the smartest thing to do...

Oddly enough, like Cyka I have been with them since they were J-phone, Vodafone, and now Softbank. I've hated the reception/service awhile now but ever since I switched to a smartfone with them, it has been nothing but trouble DAILY. I returned the phone about a month ago (3rd handset in 6 months...defective model??) and since I had a spare unlocked handset from overseas, told them to just credit me back the cost of the phone and keep the same plan open. The manager, even with some sort of supreme customer service position, told me she would need to check back with her superiors and see what could be done. (I left the handset with her) I tried too eek by with the handset I already had in hand but the network seems to be getting slower and slower. It was taking 30~60 seconds to send SMS/MMS, and no need to remind you guys about reception. After a month with no reply, I called up their service line with did the usual "go back to the store" routine and tried to pass off the responsibility. I've been through this before with them and didn't want to waste anymore time with them. Walked directly to the nearest Docomo shop and signed up with them. A little more cost each month is worth getting rid of the headache we call Softbank.

Any tips on how to deal with them regarding what will likely be a dispute? (Of course I'll pay for the service I've used but they'll probably try to hit me with a contract cancellation fee and possibly even try to refuse to refund the defective phone...any idea if they report to credit agencies?)

[FG Lurker]

Yeah, I've been with shitbank from their Jphone days too. I don't find the reception is too bad in Osaka but the data performance is poor compared to Docomo. Down in Okayama though things really start to suck ass. Coverage on land down there is bad enough but coverage on the water is a whole new level of horrible. I've been thinking about switching to an Android handset for some time anyway and I think this will finally push me to do just that -- or in the least to buy an unlocked iPhone from HK and use it with Docomo or on the Docomo network via Bmobile.

[matsuki]

It's been getting worse and worse lately. My theory is all the new smartphones on their network is more than it can handle...it just seemed to get progressively worse all year. Reception isn't bad where I live or work but underground and inside buildings is horrible. Then there are missed e-mails/calls that show up in groups, hours later...I couldn't stay with them even if I wanted to. The iphone is the only thing keeping them in the game...

[Samurai_Jerk]

Let me get this straight. You
1. Racked up near $3000 in data charges (was that just 1 month's usage?)
2. Fled the country to avoid paying the bill
3. Are thinking about signing up with the same carrier when you come back to Japan, and hoping they forgive the debt?

Did I get that right?

The sad part is this douche could probably get away with it. I have a friend who was using Softbank and fucked off withouth paying his bill, cancelation fee or the rest of what he owed to for his iPhone. He even kept using it to make calls to Japan from home till it got disconnected. He came back less than a year later and signed a new contract with Softbank. He's been back over a year and hasn't been asked to pay up. It guess it's because he signed up with his passport orginally and his gaijin card this time.

[Mike Oxlong]

Softbank should check their copy of the gaikokujin torokusho. That will have his passport number. Unless he's renewed passports in the meantime, which will give him a new number. You'd think they'd red-flag names...

[FG Lurker]

It's been getting worse and worse lately. My theory is all the new smartphones on their network is more than it can handle...

Yup, that's what I think too. It got noticeably worse after the iPhone 4 came out -- the day after it went on sale data performance plunged. Softbank isn't spending money on infrastructure, just adding more and more devices that are data-heavy. People put up with it because a) The iPhone isn't available on Docomo and b) Softbank is cheap if you have a lot of friends on Softbank. I doubt we will ever know for sure but I'm guessing that Softbank pays Apple a % of iPhone-generated revenue. That's the only reason I can see that they would keep the phone on Softbank rather than through Docomo.

I'm definitely looking forward to being on a network that seems to consider converge and performance to be important.

[Coligny]

Or you can move to a shithole like Toyohashi where 95% of th population is over 80yo and can barely manage to use a fridge and resent indoor plumbing as an unneeded luxury. Seems Softbank Data kickz asses here can even watch al jazeera live internet broadcast in the car.

But then... you would have to put up with me and a city where crematoriums are running full everyday of the week...

[matsuki]

The sad part is this douche could probably get away with it. I have a friend who was using Softbank and fucked off withouth paying his bill, cancelation fee or the rest of what he owed to for his iPhone. He even kept using it to make calls to Japan from home till it got disconnected. He came back less than a year later and signed a new contract with Softbank. He's been back over a year and hasn't been asked to pay up. It guess it's because he signed up with his passport orginally and his gaijin card this time.

Could be, but it also depends on how his name is registered. (Romanized, Katakana, etc.) I called up for MNP and they have my name all funky and it took 15 minutes for them to verify me because they had it all out of order.

[cujojpn]

Let me get this straight. You
1. Racked up near $3000 in data charges (was that just 1 month's usage?)
2. Fled the country to avoid paying the bill
3. Are thinking about signing up with the same carrier when you come back to Japan, and hoping they forgive the debt?

Did I get that right?

If I was an idiot and had no morals, I would do that. Has anyone done that before?

No, actually I left out the part that I paid the bill.
Or the bill paid itself, with an "adjustment" fee. Oddest thing I have seen before.

[matsuki]

If I was an idiot and had no morals, I would do that. Has anyone done that before?

No, actually I left out the part that I paid the bill.
Or the bill paid itself, with an "adjustment" fee. Oddest thing I have seen before.

Well, we'll see how they react this week when I call to cancel. They denied my MNP request so I ended up with a new name/number on Docomo (probably a good thing as it gives me an excuse to mass mail everyone and see who is still alive) and my Softbank account is still alive, giving me some buffer time to catch any stragglers while I make the switch.

[wagyl]

They denied my MNP request

You mean they are allowed to do that?

Or was it just too hard to do a transfer with the name screw up, and especially hard to transfer and then fix a name screw up?

[matsuki]

You mean they are allowed to do that?

Or was it just too hard to do a transfer with the name screw up, and especially hard to transfer and then fix a name screw up?

Apparently the shop I returned the phone to hasn't registered it so they still saw an active account with a balance for the handset. I guess that's why they denied it. I still have the SIM in another phone so I will tell em to pound sand before the month is up.