For smartphone users who love to binge-watch videos, the dream keywords are "unlimited data" and "unlimited gigabytes"! While Docomo, au, and SoftBank—the three major carriers—definitely offer unlimited plans, their monthly fees range from ¥8,000 to ¥10,000. Family discounts and fiber optic internet bundle discounts can lower the cost, but these are often difficult for single individuals to utilize.

However, there are actually plans and MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) that offer "unlimited data" starting from around ¥2,000 to ¥3,000 per month! This article will introduce key points for choosing an "unlimited data MVNO" and present our top 5 recommended services. Please use this as a reference for your contract decisions!

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Unlimited gigabytes are overwhelmingly appealing!

[Table of Contents]

Key Points for Choosing an Unlimited Data MVNO Point 1: [Speed] Check speeds and conditions when using unlimited data Point 2: [Network] Type of network used Point 3: [Price] This is, of course, the most important factor Editor's Choice: Top 5 Unlimited Data MVNOs Rakuten Mobile "Rakuten Saikyo Plan" KDDI "povo2.0" mineo "My Pita 30GB" mineo "My Pita 3GB" NTT Docomo "ahamo"

Key Points for Choosing an Unlimited Data MVNO (1) [Speed] Check Speeds and Conditions When Using Unlimited Data

Compared to the flagship plans of the three major carriers, the affordable "unlimited data MVNOs" introduced here have some limitations in terms of speed and conditions. However, if your main goal is to watch a lot of videos, a moderate communication speed is actually fine. For smartphone-level quality, you can enjoy content even at around 1.5 to 3Mbps, and for SNS-centric use, it's more than sufficient.

The choice is up to the user: either accept some minor restrictions to keep costs down, or pay a premium for a major carrier's unlimited plan if you don't want to worry about anything extra.

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Some MVNOs also offer "unlimited data" at advantageous prices.

Key Points for Choosing an Unlimited Data MVNO (2) [Network] Type of Network Used

The type of network used is also crucial. As will be discussed later, Rakuten Mobile's selling point is unlimited data for just over ¥3,000 per month, but its network quality is, frankly, a concern. Recently, congestion has become noticeably prominent, especially in urban areas, and there are also coverage challenges in sparsely populated regions.

Furthermore, for MVNOs that lease networks from the three major carriers to provide services, it's important to consider whether you can choose a carrier whose network performs well in the areas you frequently use.

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povo2.0's selling point is the same communication quality as au.

Key Points for Choosing an Unlimited Data MVNO (3) [Price] This is, of course, the Most Important Factor

And the most important factor is, after all, the monthly payment. Will you pursue the absolute lowest price, choose a service that offers a certain level of comfort even if it's slightly more expensive, or opt for a major carrier's flagship plan because you don't want to think about anything extra? Again, it's entirely up to the user's choice.

On the next page, we will introduce five unlimited data MVNO services recommended by our editorial team!

[Unlimited Data MVNO #1] Rakuten Mobile "Rakuten Saikyo Plan" Unlimited for ¥3,278/month! A Popular and Understandable Standard Service

First up is, of course, Rakuten Mobile! It operates on a three-tiered system: up to 3GB for ¥1,078/month, up to 20GB for ¥2,178/month, and anything beyond that is ¥3,278/month. If you pay ¥3,278 per month, data is essentially unlimited. This also includes unlimited domestic calls using their app, so its popularity is no surprise.

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Unlimited for ¥3,278/month! U-NEXT bundle plan also available.

On the other hand, opinions are somewhat divided regarding Rakuten Mobile's network. With the increase in subscribers, we frequently see comments on social media about data flow issues, particularly in bustling urban areas. Additionally, due to the nature of radio waves, problems can often occur indoors.

Nevertheless, "unlimited data" for just over ¥3,000 is an overwhelming advantage. It's a top candidate for those who want to watch a lot of videos but don't have fiber optic internet at home, and also want to save on costs.

[Unlimited Data MVNO #2] KDDI "povo2.0" au's High-Quality Network Effectively Unlimited for ¥3,500/month! This is Too Good to Be True

Next up is au's online-only plan, "povo2.0." povo2.0 is a service where you add data as "toppings" according to your needs. One such topping is "Unlimited Data (7 days) x 12 times" for ¥9,834.

Data is unlimited during the period this topping is active. While it's a bit cumbersome to apply the topping every week, when converted to a monthly cost, you can get unlimited au network access for about ¥3,500 per month, which is only slightly more expensive than Rakuten Mobile.

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Purchasing 12 weeks' worth of unlimited data toppings costs ¥9,834. This works out to approximately ¥3,500 per month. For this price, you get unlimited access to the same quality network as au.

Since povo2.0 is operated by KDDI, its coverage area and communication quality are essentially equivalent to au. Yet, it's less than half the price compared to au's "Unlimited Data MAX+" (¥7,788/month before discounts). While it doesn't offer the same wide array of benefits as au, many will surely welcome povo2.0's simplicity. This is highly recommended for those who want to balance high network quality with unlimited data!

[Unlimited Data MVNO #3] mineo "My Pita 30GB" An MVNO with 30GB for ¥2,178/month, and 3Mbps even after data runs out

Next, we introduce mineo's MVNO service, which leases networks from the three major carriers.

Among their offerings, "My Pita 30GB" is already quite a bargain at ¥2,178 per month for 30GB. What's more, even after using up the 30GB, or when in "Savings Mode" (which doesn't consume data), you can still get data communication at a maximum of 3Mbps. With 3Mbps, SNS use is perfectly fine, smartphone video viewing is smooth, and web page loading might feel only slightly slower.

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In addition to the 30GB data allowance, unlimited data at a maximum of 3Mbps is also available. However, this 3Mbps unlimited state is not entirely unrestricted; there is a condition of up to 10GB over three days.

Furthermore, as of the article's publication, a fall campaign (until November 30) allows new contracts to use the service for ¥1,320 per month for up to six months. This is perfect for trying out the "unlimited data at 3Mbps" capability.

[Unlimited Data MVNO #4] mineo "My Pita 3GB" Low Price, and 1Mbps Free Even After Data Runs Out!

Also from mineo, we introduce "My Pita." The 3GB course costs ¥1,298 per month. Despite this low price, it includes "Packet Hodai 1Mbps," allowing communication at a maximum of 1Mbps even after using up your data or when "Savings Mode" (which doesn't consume data) is active. This is perfectly usable for SNS-centric activities.

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mineo's "My Pita" offers free unlimited 1Mbps data even with the 3GB course. 3Mbps can also be used for an additional ¥385.

Furthermore, by adding an optional fee (¥385), you can get data communication at a maximum of 3Mbps, just like the higher-tier plans. This means the speed is sufficient for watching videos. If you're looking to achieve "unlimited data" at a low cost, mineo is undoubtedly a service to watch.

[Unlimited Data MVNO #5] NTT Docomo "ahamo" 40GB for ¥2,970/month, and 1Mbps even after data runs out

While slightly different from "unlimited data," Docomo's online-only plan "ahamo" can be used in a similar way, so we'll introduce it here.

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From December, ahamo will switch to a three-tiered pricing system, with 30GB for ¥3,135 (it's possible to stop progressing to higher tiers). Even after using up your data, you can still communicate at 1Mbps.

First, the current basic plan offers 40GB for ¥2,970 per month. If combined with the "Oomori Option" (¥1,980) for an additional 80GB, you get 110GB for ¥4,950 per month (from December, it will transition to a three-tiered pricing plan: up to 40GB for ¥3,135, up to 60GB for ¥4,125, and up to 120GB for ¥5,115).

Most people would likely find this sufficient, but even after using up your data, communication is possible at 1Mbps. While 1Mbps is actually a bit tight for watching videos, it's almost entirely fine for SNS-centric use, so it can get you through the end of the month.

Furthermore, ahamo offers substantial campaigns for new contracts via MNP (Mobile Number Portability), including a ¥20,000 point cashback for SIM-only contracts. Another significant advantage is the ability to use popular smartphones at a reduced price when purchasing a device, on the condition of returning the device later.

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The abundance of MNP campaigns is also an appeal of ahamo.