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NTT Communications to Launch Prepaid SIM Vending Machines for Tourists and Business

By Wei ZhangJapan
2 min read
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NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com), the ICT solutions and international communications business within the NTT Group, announced today that it will begin operating prepaid SIM card vending machines for foreign visitors to Japan at Narita International Airport from July 24.

The prepaid SIM vending machines, the first to be installed at Narita International Airport, will give foreign tourists and business travelers access to low-cost mobile data communications while in Japan.

One machine each will be installed in the international arrival lobbies of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. In addition to NTT Com’s Prepaid SIM for JAPAN for short-term use, the machines will offer smartphones, mobile routers, accessories and more.

Touch panel screens in English or Chinese guide the user through the purchase procedure. Payment is via credit card, so there is no need to prepare Japanese yen cash. After making their purchase, the user can register their name, birthday, etc. via either the machine’s touch panel or passport scanner to begin accessing the Internet immediately.

NTT Com already operates SIM card vending machines at the AQUA CITY ODAIBA mall in Tokyo and Kansai International Airport near Osaka. NTT Com’s Prepaid SIM cards are also sold at airports, electronics stores and travel agencies.

Given that a record 13 million tourists visited Japan in 2014 and more are expected this year, NTT Com expects to continue adding retail outlets for its Prepaid SIM, mainly at airports, electronics retail stores and travel agents. NTT Com also will gradually expand its range of optional services to support mobile communication experiences for foreign visitors.

Products & Costs           Prepaid SIM for JAPAN (7-day plan)
Prepaid SIM for JAPAN (14-day plan)
Accepted Credit Cards     VISA, MasterCard, JCB, American Express and Diners Club
(Payment is available via credit card only.)
Operating Time           24 hours every day

Note: Information as of July 17, 2015. Products and prices are subject to change without notice.
Prepaid SIM for JAPAN prices may vary by retail location.

Prepaid SIM for JAPAN
Package                            Prepaid SIM for JAPAN          Prepaid SIM for JAPAN
7 days                                   14 days

Plan                                                     7-day plan                         14-day plan
Max. data                                         100 Mb/day                   100 Mb/day
Charges                           JPY 3,450 (excluding tax)            JPY 4,950 (excluding tax)

Max. speed                                Download:150 Mbps; Upload 50Mbps

Max. speed after
100 Mb/day                                                       200 Kbps (until midnight of that day)
Service extension                                        Neither plan can be extended
SIM card sizes                                            Regular, Micro and Nano
Service area                                                   Japan (nationwide)

During the purchase procedures, instructions are provided on how users many apply for the no-charge Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi service provided by NTT Broadband Platform Inc. at some 130,000 locations, including airports, train stations, commercial facilities, convenience stores and more. (www.ntt-bp.net/jcfw/en.html).

Questions & Answers

Q.

Which airport terminals at Narita will host these new prepaid SIM vending machines?

A.

One machine will be installed in the international arrival lobby of Terminal 1 and another in Terminal 2. Narita International Airport will be the first to have these machines.

Q.

What items can be purchased from the vending machines in addition to SIM cards?

A.

Beyond NTT Com’s Prepaid SIM for JAPAN, the machines will also offer smartphones, mobile routers, and various accessories. These items are aimed at foreign tourists and business travellers.

Q.

What is the daily data limit for the Prepaid SIM for JAPAN plans, and what happens once this limit is reached?

A.

Both the 7-day and 14-day plans have a maximum data allowance of 100 Mb per day. After this limit, the speed reduces to 200 Kbps until midnight of that day.

Q.

Are customers able to pay for the SIM cards using Japanese cash at the vending machines?

A.

No, payment for the SIM cards is exclusively via credit card. Accepted cards include VISA, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, and Diners Club.

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