Job Discussion Forums

[elizabeth]

How much does a new phone-line cost? I read a previous post that said 70,000 yen, is this about right? Is there such a thing as a 2nd-hand one or is this only when moving into an apartment previous rented by a teacher (not in my case).

Is 5000 about right for monthly internet costs? (unlimited access) and how much per month for phone rental charges (before making any calls)?

This info. is much appreciated!

[Glenski]

Hi elizabeth,

Yes, if you buy a new phone line in Japan, expect to pay about 70,000 yen. You can, of course, take this with you if you relocate to another city in Japan, so it's a one-time charge.

Expats who return to their homelands often sell the lines at discounts. Perhaps 50,000 or 30,000 yen. Whatever someone is willing to pay.

Japan has a million options on basic phone charges, but a rough average is 4000-5000 yen/month. If you actually call someone, you'll rack up additional charges, even if that person is next door, because local calls cost money here (unlike the USA).

Recently, various companies have tackled Internet hookups, so you can get complete phone/Internet service for 3500 to 5000 yen per month.

[Brooks]

well I disagree. In June I went with my boss to NTT in Kanagawa Ken, which is west of Tokyo and I only had to pay about 3,000 yen to install my phone.
NTT has to compete with the cell phone companies, so it knew that 70,000 yen is too expensive.

[elizabeth]

You said that NTT (?) must compete with other cellphone companies because 70,000 is too high. Are you speaking about new cellphone lines??

I was looking for information about a new phone line in my apartment.

[Glenski]

Brooks,

I suspect your situation is entirely different from what I am referring to. NTT is *THE* phone company in Japan. Nobody even comes remotely close to competing.

70,000 is the standard installation cost for a home phone line.

People pay about 4000-5000 to install a cell phone.

What you installed is completely unknown to me. Was that some Internet setup through NTT? Did your boss already have a phone line set up in your apartment? (most do)

[TokyoLiz]

Brooks,

Did you get an ADSL line instead of a standard NTT line?

I understood from various posts on the forum that ADSL costs 10,000 yet to get hooked up, then 3000 to 5000 per month.

Does this mean you have a combined phone and internet connection? Maybe somebody knows some details about this communications deal. Could somebody post some details or websites to check out to learn about service?

Thanks folks.

[homersimpson]

Another option is to rent a telephone line. There's a company in Osaka called "Rent-a-Phone Center." It costs about 3,000 per month. The only "catch" is you have to spend 10,000 yen over a 3-month period for international calls.

[Ange]

I dont know if you are looking right now for internet service... But Yahoo BB (ADSL) has a deal at the moment where you get free installation, and a two month free trial. Their monthly price is about 3300 yen depending on which service you get. I find them to be pretty good and I think they are the cheapest around.

[TokyoLiz]

Ange,

Is Yahoo an ISP in Japan? And is this deal Japan - wide? Sometimes these things are advertised in local areas only.

Can you provide a link or some info on that one?