Differences from Roaming
Roaming is simple and convenient, although its cost and transmission rates do not match those of WiFi routers.
Roaming is a connection method made using your smart phone.
It is convenient because you do not need to replace your SIM card or carry a WiFi router with you, but it’s very expensive. You must be careful not to connect with the wrong telecommunications carrier or you will be billed with a hefty fee. Also, in many cases, transmission rates in high traffic areas slow down so much that you can’t use the internet at all.
Differences Between Roaming & WiFi Routers
|
 NINJA WiFi |
 Roaming |
Fees |
3GB High Speed Data plan 770 yen/day
5GB High Speed Data plan 1,100 yen/day
10GB High Speed Data plan 1,320 yen/day
(tax included)
|
- Depends on your telecommunications carrier
- Flat rate per day
- Potentially no data capping
|
Transmission Rates |
4G/LTE |
3G or 4G/LTE |
Data Volume |
UNLIMITED* |
- Depends on your telecommunications carrier
- May have not data caps, or may cap at only a small amount of MB
|
Areas of Connectivity |
All over Japan |
All over Japan |
Portability |
Pocket-sized |
Uses your smart phone |
※High speed data is limited by your plan. Once exceeded, users will only be able to use slower internet.
Roaming Rates for Major Telecommunications Companies in Japan (Surveyed May 2015)
USD |
|
Verizon |
AT&T |
Telsa |
Singtel |
Rogers |
Chunghwa Telecom |
China Mobile |
SMS |
$0.50 |
$0.50 |
$0.59 |
$0.60 |
$0.62 |
$0.33 |
$0.11 |
1 MB |
$20.48 |
$19.96 |
$2.37 |
$18.73 |
$0.83 |
$1.30 |
$0.32 |
500 KB |
$10.24 |
$9.98 |
$1.19 |
$9.37 |
$0.41 |
$0.65 |
$0.16 |
300 KB |
$6.14 |
$5.99 |
$0.71 |
$5.62 |
$0.25 |
$0.39 |
$0.10 |
Skype for 10 minutes |
$102.40 |
$99.80 |
$11.86 |
$93.66 |
$4.13 |
$6.51 |
$1.61 |
Packet Discount Plan (Monthly) |
$25.00/100 MB |
$30.00/120 MB $60.00/300 MB $120.00/800 MB |
|
|
|
|
|
*Listed price includes tax.
JPY |
|
Verizon |
AT&T |
Telsa |
Singtel |
Rogers |
Chunghwa Telecom |
China Mobile |
SMS |
60 yen |
60 yen |
71 yen |
72 yen |
74 yen |
39 yen |
13 yen |
1 MB |
2,458 yen |
2,395 yen |
285 yen |
2,248 yen |
99 yen |
156 yen |
39 yen |
500 KB |
1,229 yen |
1,198 yen |
142 yen |
1,124 yen |
50 yen |
78 yen |
19 yen |
300 KB |
737 yen |
719 yen |
85 yen |
674 yen |
30 yen |
47 yen |
12 yen |
Skype for 10 minutes |
12,288 yen |
11,976 yen |
1,424 yen |
11,239 yen |
495 yen |
781 yen |
193 yen |
300 MB |
737,280 yen |
718,560 yen |
85,425 yen |
674,362 yen |
29,717 yen |
46,881 yen |
11,593 yen |
Packet Discount Plan (Monthly) |
3,000 yen/100 MB |
3,600 yen/120 MB 7,200 yen/300 MB 14,400 yen/800 MB |
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