\tJapan passed a new law banning mobile operators from offering bundled packages which include the cost of a handset and a mobile service plan, in a move aimed at reducing prices for consumers, Japan Times reported.<\/p>\n
The bill, passed by the country\u2019s national legislature the Diet, will go into effect in Q3 after the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications completes tariff guidelines.<\/p>\n
The government has pressured operators for more than four years to lower what it claims are high mobile tariffs.<\/p>\n
In August 2018, it pushed operators to reduce prices [1] by ending handset subsidies, calling for the companies to charge separately for phones and connectivity. A senior telecoms ministry representative said at the time it believes bundling makes it hard for consumers to assess the price of devices and services.<\/p>\n
In June, the Fair Trade Commission said mobile contracts by some operators could conflict with antitrust laws, the newspaper wrote.<\/p>\n
The government first called for price reductions in 2015, with a ban on handset subsidies mooted.<\/p>\n
Price pressure
\nNTT Docomo, the country\u2019s largest mobile operator, reported a 0.8 per cent decline in mobile service revenue [2] to JPY2.84 trillion ($25.9 billion) for its fiscal 2018, ending 31 March, which it attributed to the expansion of customer discounts.<\/p>\n
Docomo said its new mobile plans, introduced in April, are easier to understand and offer families up to 40 per cent lower rates.<\/p>\n
In October the operator said it would reduce mobile prices by introducing a wider variety of service plans [3] which charge separately for handsets and connectivity, with number two and three players KDDI and SoftBank expected to follow suit.<\/p>\n[1] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/asia\/asia-news\/japan-steps-up-efforts-to-ban-device-subsidies\/
\n[2] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/asia\/asia-news\/docomo-cautious-on-future-after-mixed-results\/
\n[3] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/asia\/asia-news\/docomo-to-cut-back-on-smartphone-bundling-by-april\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Japan passed a new law banning mobile operators from offering bundled packages which include the …<\/p>\n
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