How to Switch from UQ Mobile to Rakuten Mobile — A Complete MNP Guide (2026)
What is UQ Mobile? UQ Mobile is a sub-brand of KDDI/au — Japan's second-largest carrier. It runs on the au network at a decent price, but without unlimited data and with a bunch of strings attached, Rakuten Mobile starts looking like a pretty solid upgrade.
The Usual Gripes with UQ Mobile
- No unlimited data plan — The maximum plan caps at 35 GB
- Pricey without discounts — The Tokutoku Plan 2 starts at ¥2,948/month before any discounts kick in
- Strict home bundle discount requirements — You need a compatible fixed-line or home broadband contract just to get the best rates
- Setsuyaku (savings) mode removed from new plans — That handy feature that throttled data to 300 kbps at no extra charge is gone from current plans
Why Make the Jump to Rakuten Mobile?
- Genuinely unlimited data for ¥3,278/month (tax included) — no caps, no surprise throttling once you hit some hidden threshold
- Free domestic calls through the Rakuten Link app — no add-on plan required
- Straightforward tiered pricing — as low as ¥1,078/month if you're a light user staying under 3 GB
Price Comparison: UQ Mobile Tokutoku Plan 2 vs. Rakuten Mobile
| Data Usage | UQ Mobile | Rakuten Mobile | Monthly Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 GB | ¥2,948 | ¥1,078 | ¥1,870 |
| Up to 5 GB | ¥2,948 | ¥2,178 | ¥770 |
| Up to 20 GB | ¥4,048 | ¥2,178 | ¥1,870 |
| Up to 30 GB | ¥4,048 | ¥3,278 | ¥770 |
| Over 30 GB | ¥4,598 | ¥3,278 | ¥1,320 |
| Unlimited calls add-on | ¥1,980 | ¥0 (via Rakuten Link) | ¥1,980 |
Annual savings potential: Someone paying for UQ Mobile's 30 GB plan plus unlimited calls (¥4,598 + ¥1,980 = ¥6,578/month) would save roughly ¥39,600 per year by switching over to Rakuten Mobile's unlimited plan.
When's the Best Time to Switch?
- Rakuten Mobile does not pro-rate your bill for partial months — you're paying for the full month no matter when you sign up
- UQ Mobile is the same — cancel mid-month and you're still billed for the whole thing
- So, switching in the second half of the month (ideally the last 2–3 days) keeps your double-billing overlap to a minimum
How to Switch: Step by Step
- Enter the Employee Referral Campaign (just log in with your Rakuten ID to register)
- Get an MNP reservation number from UQ Mobile (valid for 15 days) — you can request it through the UQ Mobile website or by calling their customer service line
- Apply for Rakuten Mobile on the official website, selecting "Switch from another carrier (MNP)"
- Receive and activate your SIM card or eSIM — all the instructions come in the SIM package
- Make a 10-second call through the Rakuten Link app — this is what satisfies the campaign condition and triggers your point allocation
Note on eSIM: If your phone supports eSIM, going that route at step 3 means no waiting around for a physical card — activation can be almost instant. eSIM works on most recent iPhones (XS and later) and plenty of Android models too.
Employee Referral Campaign Rewards
- MNP switch: 14,000 points
- New sign-up / Re-contract: 11,000 points
- All of the following qualify: first-time customers, re-contract customers, and second-line applications