TOKYO: SoftBank Corp, Japan's No 3 mobile carrier, will cut its smartphone charges in Japan with a flat rate for unlimited voice calling and cheaper data plans, in a sign that price competition may be starting to pick up in Japan's mobile market.
The lower rates, to take effect next month, are similar to reductions this month by rival NTT DoCoMo Inc, Japan's largest wireless provider. Regulators have grown increasingly critical of the three dominant carriers, blaming them for high smartphone fees and oligopolistic practices.