I want to use wireless internet in Japan! What is the process and how to choose?
Wireless Internet using Wi-Fi and other means is an indispensable part of living in Japan. This article explains the contract process and how to choose a company to use wireless Internet in Japan for foreign residents.
Terms to know when signing up for wireless Internet in Japan
To sign up for wireless Internet in Japan, you must read Japanese-language websites and instructions. Here we introduce some Japanese Internet terms that may be confusing to foreigners.
light
Hikari" usually means "light," but in Internet terminology, "light" means "light,Fiber Optic Internetrefers to a "line" or "optical line". It is sometimes called an "optical line" in the usual sense, or simply "optical" without "line. It is safe to assume that "hikari" and "optical line" mean the same thing.
giga-
The term "giga" refers to the communication speed of "Gbps". In Japanese, the "bps" part is often omitted and simply "giga" is used. For example, "1 giga" means "1 Gbps.
Note that "GB" for data volume is also often used in Japanese as "giga. For example, in the sentence "100 gigabytes of hard disk space," giga means "100 GB.
Please contact GTN to find a room in Japan!
Please contact GTN to find a room in Japan.
GTN has the following characteristics
- Staff of other languages available
- You can sign a contract even if you are abroad.
- Minors can also consult with us about moving in.
- Contracts can be signed without a guarantor
In addition to this, GTN has a generous amount of support for international visitors.
The website is also available in other languages, so even if you do not plan to live in Japan yet, please visit the website first.
The website isclick here!
The general flow of a wireless Internet contract
The process of signing up for wireless Internet in Japan involves first signing a contract with a provider or line operator, performing the installation work to open the line, and setting up the router and other necessary settings.
Sign a contract with a line operator/provider
To sign up for wireless Internet, you must first sign a contract with a fiber-optic line provider and a provider that provides the connection. Depending on the service provider, you may have a fixed provider or you may be able to choose a provider. If you have a specific provider you want to sign up with, you need to choose a provider that is compatible with your line provider.
Carry out the opening construction
After signing a contract with a service provider, the next step is the installation work to connect the fiber-optic line to the house. The installation takes about one or two hours, and the contractor himself/herself must be present on the day of the installation. If the line is already connected to the house, no work is required.
Configure equipment settings
Once the installation is complete, the next step is to set up the ONU and router; often the ONU is set up by the contractor, so you only need to set up the router yourself.
Many router manuals are in Japanese, so if you are not good at reading, ask a Japanese friend or other person to help you.
How to Choose a Wireless Internet Company
There are many wireless Internet companies in Japan, so you need to choose the right one for you. The key to choosing the right one is not only the price, but also whether or not English support is available for foreigners.
Choose by price
All Japanese wireless Internet companies are fast enough when it comes to transmission speeds, so it is recommended that you choose the one with the lowest rates.
Check the price not only for the monthly usage fee, but also for the initial installation cost. The price may vary by 20,000 yen from company to company.
The monthly fee for an apartment is usually 4,000 yen to 5,000 yen per month for any company, and 5,000 yen to 6,000 yen per month for a house.
Select by English Support
Few Japanese wireless Internet companies offer English support.Most major companies have official websites in English.So, it is recommended to apply from the website.
Comparative Table of Wireless Internet Companies in Japan
The table below shows the prices and transmission speeds of major wireless Internet companies in Japan. nURO Hikari is popular for its low prices and high transmission speeds, but it should be noted that its coverage area is not yet large.
| Company Name | Monthly Fee | Maximum communication speed |
| FLET'S Hikari | Condominiums: 5,225 yen Detached houses: 6,820 yen | 1GB |
| NURO HIKARI | Condominiums: 2,090 yen to 2,750 yen Detached houses: 5,200 yen | 2GB |
| SoftBank Optical | Condominiums: 4,180 yen Detached houses: 5,720 yen | 1GB |
Saving money on lower fees
Wireless Internet typically costs between 5,000 yen and 6,000 yen per month, so we want to make it as inexpensive as possible. Here are some ways to reduce the cost of wireless Internet.
Use pocket Wi-Fi or tethering
If you don't mind slower communication speeds, you can use pocket Wi-Fi or tethering instead of an optical fiber connection. Here, tethering is a method of connecting the Internet from your smartphone to a computer or other device via Wi-Fi.
Besides being inexpensive, pocket Wi-Fi and tethering have the advantage of not requiring installation work, so they can be used as soon as you apply for them.
Use campaigns and set discounts.
Wireless Internet companies offer various discount campaigns and set discounts with smartphones. Be sure to take advantage of these special services.
| Mobile Carrier | Companies that support set discounts |
| au | @nifty Hikari, au HIKARI, BIGLOBE Hikari |
| DoCoMo (NTT mobile phone service) | docomo Hikari |
| SoftBank (Japanese telecommunications company) | Softbank Hikari, NURO Hikari |
summary
Wireless Internet in Japan is convenient because there are many high-speed fiber-optic companies. However, not many of them support foreign languages well, so be careful if you are not comfortable with Japanese.
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