A comprehensive comparison of Japan Communications SIM and HIS Mobile plans priced at ¥300 or less. Both use the DOCOMO network, with key differences in data allowances, call charges, options, in-store support and speed restrictions after the data allowance is exceeded summarized here.
First, Japan Communications offers the Rational Simple 290 plan, a tiered plan whose price rises according to usage from ¥290 for 1GB. Its features include a My Page function that allows users to set a data cap, and speeds restricted to 128kbps once the cap is exceeded. HIS Mobile, by contrast, offers the Jiyu Jizai 3.0 plan, which starts at 100MB and also includes large-capacity plans of up to 60GB. Its strength is call pricing as low as ¥9 per 30 seconds.
Both plans use the DOCOMO network and support tethering, charge a contract administration fee and have no cancellation penalty. They differ, however, in areas such as the lack of data rollover, whether a high-speed communications ON/OFF function is available and whether in-store support is offered. In particular, Japan Communications is online-only, while HIS Mobile is available at physical locations such as travel agencies.
HIS Mobile is often more economical for usage of 7GB or more, with monthly pricing starting at ¥1,299, while Japan Communications can be kept to approximately ¥290–¥730 for usage of up to 3GB. Although it offers fewer data allowance options, Japan Communications maintains low pricing even for large-capacity plans such as 20GB and 30GB. Options include unlimited 6-minute calls and a voicemail service for an additional fee. Ultimately, the choice depends on data usage, calling frequency and the need for physical stores.