[8525, TyTN, MDA Vario II, JasJam General] tora201:
This is to all x01ht users in Japan. Other users are welcome to read, if not just for the entertainment value!

Which data plan to do you use? What are the advantages? Disadvantages?

Please tell us your stories and recommendations. Below is my story. If you are not familiar with the Matrix and want to get really confused, read on!

Firstly, this assumes you are using settings from the following thread, which enable unlimited access to the softbank data network. http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=297687

If you are not using the above settings, then I suggest you take the blue pill (not the blue plan below, idiot). Anyway....

First, my previous plan: White Plan PLUS PC Site Direct unlimited data usage

from ¥980 [¥1,029 incl. tax] to ¥9,800 [¥10,290 incl. tax]

With this data plan you are charged a minimum of 980. Data usage is up to 9800 are charged normally, but that is the maximum you will be charged. I WAS using this plan and being charged the full 9800 per month, which means I was using more than 9800 yen worth of data. Upon investigation, it seems I was using around 25,000-30,000 a month in data alone, thereby making this plan worth it.

Regarding calls, under the white plan you can call other softbank handsets all you like for a monthly charge of ¥980 between 1-9pm. Other handsets are charged at normal rates.

Anyway, under the above white plan and PC Direct Unlimited, I was averaging about 12,000-13,000 a month in charges.

Concerned about this, I decided to call an operator and see if they could recommend me a better plan. They introduced me to the Blue Plan. yippee!

http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/price_plan/blue/index.html

Basically, it gives me unlimited data usage as above (including MMS, internet, internet sharing, etc) at a FLAT rate of 5700 yen. However, the difference between this and PC DIRECT, described above, is that it matter how much or less you use it you will always be charged 5700 a month. Be careful, Neo!

Anyway, since my average usage is as I said above, around 25,000-30,000 a month, this seems like a bargain.

Regarding calls, of course, since it is the Blue Plan, the White Plan of 980 yen can't be used in conjunction. After some consideration among the LL, L, M, S and SS calling plans within this Blue Plan, I settled upon "S" . That gives me 55 minutes of free calls at 2,200. (with the 50% discount per month using Individual Discount 50). (Of course calls cannot be made free to other softbank handsets, unlike the white plan). I also joined the family discount portion - The meaning of this is of yet unclear, although it probably gives me some other hidden discounts. Or not?

In any event, my monthly bill will now be a minimum of 8,200

5700 - data

2,200 - calling (includes 50% discount)

300 MMS service charge.

This is a lot better than than the 9800 charge for data plan ALONE under my old plan.

What do you reckon? As confusing as hell? Did I get a bargain? Or should I have considered one of their other plans, such as GOLD or ORANGE?

Which plan do you use? Why? Especially, I want to hear from you if you are on the Gold or Orange plans and can get a better deal than what I describe above). Remember, the more confusing the story the better! See you in the Matrix, Neo! :eek: