SEVENCLICK
Mobile Technology Evangelists

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. today announced flat-rate data communication plans that will take effect on October 22.

Plans will cost 4,200 yen/month (incl. tax) for up to 500,000 packets, then rise on a pay-as-you-go basis up to a maximum of 10,500 yen/month beyond one million packets. The plan requires subscription to the new “mopera U U Flat-Rate HIGH-SPEED Plan” (840 yen/month) or “Business mopera Internet (HIGH-SPEED)” (630 yen/month) for Internet access (certain access points may not be compatible with the plans).

DoCoMo will also offer the 64Kbps (best effort) “Flat-Rate Data Plan 64K” for 4,200 yen/month (incl. tax). The plan requires subscription to the new “mopera U U Flat-Rate 64K Plan” (525 yen/month) or “Business mopera Internet (64K) plan” (315 yen/month) for Internet access (certain access points may not be compatible).

The plans cover sending/receiving messages and viewing still content (text and photos) on Web sites. Streamed video, downloaded FTP file transfers, i-mode communications and voice/videophone calls are not covered. Packet communications outside Japan, as well as via domestic access points that are not compatible with flat-rate packet communications services, will be charged on a pay-as-you-go basis.

The last paragraph scares me. I will never subscribe to a internet access service controlling which services I can access. Customers should pay for the access not for the service they use. Why can’t I use P2P on my mobile? Or VoIP? the last question has a clearer answer but I don’t like it anyway.

Via NTT Docomo Press Note