This series provides a weekly summary of developments in low-cost SIMs, SIM-free smartphones, and more, along with a price list of major low-cost SIMs. mineo will abolish the administrative fee for eSIM reissuance starting in October. We have re-compiled the costs associated with eSIM reissuance among MVNO low-cost SIMs.
The Four Major MNOs, Including Sub-brands, Are Generally Free, While Many MVNOs Still Charge Fees
eSIM allows immediate use without waiting for a physical SIM to arrive when signing up for a new contract. While it has various other benefits, it can also be inconvenient for those who frequently change devices or use multiple smartphones. However, with current iPhones for Japan becoming eSIM-only, there are many situations where its use is unavoidable.
eSIMs can be transferred online with iPhones and some Android devices (like Pixel), but this is generally only supported by the four major MNOs (including Rakuten) and their sub-brands and online-only plans. Even when proceeding with eSIM reissuance, the four major MNOs are free, but MVNO low-cost SIMs often charge a fee.
Services from the four major MNOs, including sub-brands/online-only plans, are basically free (when processed online). povo2.0 costs 440 yen but is "free for the time being." Y!mobile states that eSIM device changes not accompanied by a device purchase are only accepted in-store.
The background to this is that many MVNOs use SIMs issued by MNOs (with exceptions like IIJ's data eSIM), and it's possible that some costs are incurred by the MNO during reissuance. In that case, it would be unavoidable for users to bear the cost. On the other hand, some MVNOs are now offering services that waive this fee to appeal to users with greater convenience.
eSIM Reissuance Fees for Each Company (Tax Included)
Japan Communications Also Offers Free Reissuance Up to 3 Times a Year; How to View a Burden of Several Hundred Yen
As mentioned earlier, mineo has made it free. Additionally, Japan Communications offers it free up to 3 times a year. This should be sufficient for typical usage. Even for paid services, a few hundred yen once or twice a year would not be a significant burden.
Still, many people likely believe that physical SIMs are far more convenient if they frequently swap low-cost SIMs between different devices (though this isn't possible with newer iPhones...). Users should choose their SIMs according to their own needs.
Identity verification for eSIM reissuance varies by service. In mineo's case, it supports eKYC or IC chip reading from My Number Cards, etc.
