How to Switch from SoftBank to Rakuten Mobile (And Why It's Worth It)
Key Benefits
-
Seriously Lower Monthly Bills
- SoftBank (Merihari Unlimited+, with family discount): approx. 6,000 yen/month
- Rakuten Mobile (Rakuten最強プラン): 3,168 yen/month (tax included)
-
Free Domestic Calls: Calls made through the Rakuten Link app are completely free
-
Rakuten Ichiba Points Multiplier Boost: Just signing up gets you +4x points (entry required)
How Much You'd Save in a Year
| Usage | Monthly Difference | Annual Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 2GB/month | 3,597 yen | 43,164 yen |
| Up to 20GB/month | 4,147 yen | 49,764 yen |
| Over 20GB/month | 3,047 yen | 36,564 yen |
SoftBank is planning a price increase of 110 to 550 yen per month from July 1, 2026 onward. The gap is only going to get bigger from there.
How to Switch
- Use the employee referral link to enter (this needs to happen before you apply)
- Get your MNP reservation number from SoftBank (valid for 15 days)
- Submit your application to Rakuten Mobile
- Activate your service via SIM card swap or eSIM
- Make a call of at least 10 seconds using the Rakuten Link app → Campaign condition fulfilled