I tried a line contract with Softbank with a SIM free smartphone-Keitai Watch Watch

I don't think there are many people who sign contracts with major carriers with SIM-free smartphones, but I thought it might be useful for you reading this, so I'm recording it here. .

I brought ZenFone 2 to a directly managed SoftBank shop in Tokyo and tried a SoftBank 4G/postpaid line contract. And finally, we got a deal.

However, I received an explanation from the store (almost persistently) that there are some conditions for bringing in a SIM fleece smartphone and making a line contract.

First of all, it is necessary to bring the terminal used for the line and the credit card (cash card in the case of bank withdrawal) used for payment to the shop when making a contract. It is a condition that you can check it at the store. Of course, ZenFone 2's electromagnetic display is possible. The IMEI number must also be registered with SoftBank.

Also, smartphones purchased from sources other than DoCoMo and au can only be contracted with models that SoftBank has determined to be "contractable". For example, ZenFone 2 and Nexus 5 are possible, but SIM-free iPhones purchased overseas are not (although I missed the reason and how to tell).

Also, as of October 2015, a Smartphone Flat-rate or Smartphone Flat-rate Light subscription is required when subscribing to a SoftBank 4G line. Of course, although the price will be higher, you can choose a plan that is not bound for two years. In addition, this is true even if it is not a SIM-free contract, but if you cancel before the fourth month fee date from the contract, the short-term cancellation contract cancellation fee will be up to 15,000 yen (excluding tax), so be careful. In the case of 2 years binding, it is 15,000 yen plus the normal cancellation fee.

As for the SIM card, if you bring in a SIM-free device (including an unlocked docomo or au device) and sign a line contract, you need to order a dedicated one from the store.

The product name is "Multi USIM Card (F)", the product model number is "ZTWDK1", and as shown in the photo, it is a type of SIM that can be cut into standard SIM, micro SIM, or nano SIM. It seems that if you bring in a SIM-free device and make a contract, it must be this SIM, but even at a directly managed store in Tokyo, it is said that it is the first time I have seen it, and even the store clerk does not know about it. It looks like In my case, it took about 10 business days from the time I ordered it until it arrived.

In order to bring a SIM-free device to SoftBank and make a contract, it is necessary to obtain a "Multi-USIM Card (F)". It seems to be a USIM card for SIM-free contracts. Cut it into micro SIM size and attach it to slot 1 of ZenFone 2. With this, you can make calls, and if you set the APN, you will be able to connect to the Internet. ), but as stated in the company's "Use mobile phones sold by other companies with SoftBank",

APN Name: plus.4g Username: plus Password: 4g

In the case of ZenFone 2, items such as "Authentication type" and "APN type" can be left as the default setting "Not set". If you want to send and receive S! Mail (MMS), add

MMSC: http://mms-sMMS proxy: andmms.plusacs.ne.jp MMS port: 8080

You can use it by setting

and installing "SoftBank Mail" from Google Play.

APN setting (basically it seems to be done at the shop) can be set as shown on the Softbank website. If you install SoftBank mail, you will be able to send and receive carrier mail. When you look at the SIM card settings, you can use the SoftBank line properly and the contracted phone number will be displayed. It's perfect

The biggest difference between a cheap MVNO line and an MNO like Softbank is the service content. I think it's a great advantage to be able to talk to the store staff about things you don't understand at the shop, contract a warranty service in case your device breaks down, or contract a content distribution service such as videos. increase.

However, in the case of a SIM-free terminal contract, after-sales service regarding handling methods and troubleshooting cannot be provided. Then you may be wondering what about additional contract services, such as content distribution services.

Actually, I was also expecting that at first. Because I like anime, I wanted to join Softbank's "Anime Unlimited".

No, even MVNO users can subscribe to services such as "Hulu", which has a chasing delivery of anime from Nippon Television, and Docomo's "d Anime Store", which can cover a lot of late-night anime currently being broadcast. I do, but there are contents that are not distributed in the above two and are distributed in Softbank's "Unlimited Anime". Hidamari Sketch Honeycomb" is all delivered. When I learned about this, I thought, "Ohhhhh! I want to sign a contract!

However, as I learned after making a line contract, unfortunately, this kind of "service that can only be contracted by line subscribers" is almost impossible to use in the case of Softbank.

Pari League LIVE, which is provided free of charge for SoftBank device purchasers and uses Smartphone Unlimited, and broadcasts almost all professional baseball games, also distributes music videos and music data. UULA" and "Anime Unlimited", which seems to have already ended its distribution period on other sites and is being distributed by holding down the points of anime a while ago, are all useless.

With a SIM-free device contract, it was almost impossible to contract for ancillary services such as unlimited animation. "UULA", "Pali League LIVE", "Unlimited Book", and "App Pass" are all useless. I can't even register SoftBank shops on My SoftBank. I feel like I want to know why it's so bad

No, I'm sure there was an explanation that "we can't guarantee the operation of all SoftBank services", but I don't think so. I didn't expect it to be limited. Really, the ancillary services are mostly limited. I can't even register "My SoftBank Shop" to register SoftBank shops I often go to. The only things you can barely use are "T point card registration", "location navigation", and "waiting songs".

In other words, when it comes to Softbank, the difference from MVNO is that the benefits of contracting a line are that you can use carrier mail and can choose a plan that allows you to make unlimited calls. So, if you are not able to pay the difference with MVNO, it may not make much sense to bring in a contract. It's too late now (bitter smile). If you really, seriously want to sign up for ancillary services such as unlimited anime, you should buy a carrier's device and make a line contract instead of bringing in a SIM-free device.

If you think about it, if you pay for a terminal stand that is about the size of a BD box for two seasons, you will get the right to watch the entire Hidamari Sketch series, as well as a terminal. I have no choice but to switch to a Softbank terminal...

※Sequel story: I did. After that, I found out that the entire "Hidamari Sketch" series is actually being distributed on "Bandai Channel," one of the video distribution services that even MVNOs can subscribe to.