KT Japan announced on the 5th that it is launching 'tt mobile (TT Mobile),' a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) service, allowing domestic customers planning long-term stays in Japan to apply for a Japanese phone number in Korean using only their passport before departure.
Customers with planned long-term stays in Japan due to studying abroad, working holidays, expatriate assignments, or business trips have faced difficulties in subscribing to telecommunications services. Because Japanese phone numbers cannot be secured prior to arrival in Japan, customers have struggled with opening bank accounts, identity verification, and registering local contact information. Subscribing to Japanese telecommunications services has also been challenging due to Japanese-language-based subscription procedures, document preparation, and the application and activation of local phone numbers.
To resolve these customer inconveniences, KT Japan allows applications for a Japanese phone number using only a passport and PASS (Pass) simple authentication before departure. Customers complete the subscription process in Korea and receive a SIM card, then simply apply for activation after arriving in Japan to use a Japanese phone number through the NTT DOCOMO network. Fees can be conveniently paid with a card issued in Korea under the subscriber's name.
The tt mobile plans available for passport-based subscription consist of two types: the 'Working Holiday and Student Plan (hereinafter Working Holiday/Study Abroad Plan)' and the 'Business Plan.' Both plans allow data usage at speeds up to 200Kbps even after all provided data has been used.
The 'Working Holiday/Study Abroad Plan' is designed to reduce telecommunications costs for working holiday residents and students under the age of 30 who have high data usage. It consists of four total options: 5GB, 10GB, 30GB, and 50GB. Fees range from 1,210 yen per month to a maximum of 3,300 yen per month, with separate fees applied for voice calls and text messages based on usage.
The 'Business Plan' is suitable for customers who frequently communicate with Japanese business partners and local offices due to expatriate assignments, business trips, local business operations, or corporate establishment. It consists of three total options: 10GB, 30GB, and 50GB, and all plans include unlimited domestic calling services in Japan as a standard feature. Fees range from 2,970 yen per month to a maximum of 4,400 yen per month. To commemorate the launch of these plans, KT Japan is also offering a benefit that waives the 5,500 yen international SIM delivery fee for all customers who complete their application by December 31.
KT Japan also operates a 'Basic Plan' targeted at residents in Japan. Subscription is available to those holding a My Number card, and users can choose to utilize networks from major Japanese telecommunications companies such as NTT DOCOMO, KDDI, and SoftBank.
Meanwhile, KT Japan is KT's local subsidiary in Japan that provides international dedicated lines between Korea and Japan and Japanese network services.
Park Chan-beom, head of the KT Japan corporation, stated, "KT Japan aims to support Koreans starting new challenges in Japan by helping them prepare the necessary telecommunications environment before departure." He added, "We will continue to expand various telecommunications services for Koreans visiting or staying long-term in Japan going forward."
in TECH
