"Basic fees 0 yen (*1) povo2.0 is attracting attention for its unique and unprecedented services, such as "#Giga-Katsu," which gives you special benefits by purchasing data Topping. In this article, we will introduce the specific advantages and disadvantages of povo2.0, and who it is recommended for.
*1: Call charges and SMS sending charges are charged separately. Certain conditions apply for continuous use over 180 days. 128kbps at 0 GB for 0 yen. If you sign up for 5 lines(*) under the same name, a contract administration fee of 3,850 yen (tax included included) per line will be charged for the 6th line and beyond.
*This includes lines that have been terminated or cancelled by our company within the past year.
povo2.0 is an online-only (*2) brand provided by KDDI. Let's take a closer look at the benefits of choosing povo2.0. All prices shown in this article include tax included.
*2: As this is an online-only plan, all procedures and support will be handled online. Please contact us via the povo2.0 app or official website.
The first benefit is that you can sign up for a basic contract with no fees (*1).
Until now, smartphone plans typically have been fees based on the amount of data you can use per month, such as "3GB for 990 yen per month" or "20GB for 2,970 yen per month."
However, with povo2.0, you don't need to select a monthly plan like that when signing up. You sign up for a basic fees of 0 yen (*1), and then later purchase and use services called "Topping" such as data capacity and unlimited calling.
For example, if you want to use high-speed communication, you can select and purchase the "data Topping" you need from the options below.
| Topping Name | validity | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| データ追加1GB | 7日間 | 390円/回 |
| データ追加3GB | 30日間 | 990円/回 |
| データ追加60GB | 90日間 | 6,490円/回 |
| データ追加150GB | 180日間 | 12,980円/回 |
| Unlimited data (*3) | 24 hours | 330円/回 |
If you usually use Wi-Fi at home, you can choose a smaller data capacity such as 1GB or 3GB, but if you have a business trip this month and will likely use a lot of data, you can purchase a larger capacity such as 60GB or 150GB.You can customize your plan to suit your lifestyle.
*3: Communication speeds may be limited during network congestion or when using video or cloud games.
* Topping listed are examples
Reference:" Topping List" (povo)
The second benefit is that there are Topping available that you can enjoy without worrying about call time.
povo2.0 Topping include not only data Topping but also "call Topping."
| Categories | Topping contents | validity | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call Toppings | Unlimited calls within 5 minutes (*6) | 1 month | 550円/月 |
| Unlimited calls (*6) | 1 month | 1,650円/月 |
*6: Calls to phone numbers set by other companies starting with 0570 (Navidial, etc.) to fees, number guide (104) (number guide fee is not free, calls to fees are free), administrative 1XY service (188), # dial (Quick Dial), SMS transmission, calls to satellite phones, and calls to phone numbers specified separately by the Company The Topping service is not available for free calls to international calls and calls made overseas. International calls and incoming/outgoing calls overseas are also not covered. Calling charges are based on the service.
The third advantage is that tethering can be used without any additional fees or applications.
Tethering, which uses your smartphone as a wireless router, is a convenient feature when you want to safely connect your computer to the Internet while on the go, such as when you're on a business trip. With povo2.0, you can use tethering whenever you want without prior registration or additional fees. By purchasing Topping such as "Unlimited data (24 hours) (*3)," you can concentrate on your work without worrying about data usage.
The fourth is "povo Data Oasis," which gives you free data!
For example, you can get up to 1GB of data per month for free at places like LAWSON, which can significantly reduce your monthly smartphone bill.
Please check here for more details.
The fifth point is that there is no contract validity.
Until the legal amendments were made in 2022, smartphone plans offered by carriers such as au, docomo, and SoftBank generally required two-year contracts. Even if plans with no contract validity were available, the monthly fees was usually higher than plans with a two-year contract.
However, povo2.0 is not bound by a contract validity. Therefore, you can freely cancel your subscription whenever you want without worrying about cancellation fees or penalties. The basic fees is also free (*1), so you can use it to "just sign a contract for the time being and purchase Topping only when you need it".
The sixth point is that there is no contract administration fee.
When signing up for a new smartphone from a carrier, you are often charged a contract administration fee of around 3,000 yen. However, with povo2.0, there is no contract administration fee. Being able to easily sign a contract without worrying about initial costs is a major benefit.
The seventh point is that it also supports eSIM (*4).
An eSIM is a type of SIM that is pre-embedded in a smartphone, rather than a physical SIM card. Using an eSIM makes it easy to use two lines on one smartphone. It's perfect for people who want separate lines for work and personal use but find it inconvenient to have two smartphones.
*4: Requires an eSIM-compatible device.
Reference: "Compatible models and devices" (povo)
The eighth point is that contracts can be signed from the age of 13.
Online-only brands such as ahamo and LINEMO offered by each carrier, as well as other MVNOs, usually require you to be 18 years old to sign a contract in your own name.
However, povo2.0 allows contracts under the user's name from the age of 13. Furthermore, if a parent or guardian registers the user at the time of contract, even those under the age of 13 can use the service. If you register in your own name when you are old enough to have your first smartphone, you will not need to change the name when you become an adult.
The ninth advantage is that you can use the au network.
au network uses 4G LTE 800MHz, achieving a population coverage rate of 99.9% (*5), allowing communication over a wide area nationwide. 5G networks have also begun to be rolled out in some areas. Furthermore, because multiple frequencies are used simultaneously, communication is possible even in subways and large commercial facilities.
*5: "Population coverage rate" is calculated based on areas where communication is possible in 50% or more of the approximately 500m blocks used in the census. Information is current as of the end of December 2020. Content is subject to change. Compatible devices are 4G LTE (800MHz) compatible.
As you can see, povo2.0 is a service that offers many benefits that you won't find anywhere else. However, there are some points you should be aware of before signing up. Let's take a look at some specific points.
First, applications for povo2.0 are accepted only online. Applications and consultations cannot be made in-store or over the phone.
However, online, you can use an automated chatbot or chat with a specialist operator. One advantage is that you can get a smooth consultation without having to line up at the store or wait for the phone to connect.
The second is that if you do not purchase any paid Topping for more than 180 days, your account may be suspended.
As mentioned above, povo2.0 is a service that can be used for a basic fees of 0 yen (*1). However, if you do not purchase any paid services such as "Data Topping," "Call Topping," or "Content Topping" for 180 days or more, your contract may be terminated.
Of course, if you purchase Topping as needed at least once every six months, you don't need to worry about your service being suspended. Also, if the total amount of pay-as-you-go calling charges and SMS sending charges during validity exceeds 660 yen, your service will not be suspended or your contract will not be terminated.
The third point is that when using Base Plan without purchasing "Topping," communication speeds are limited to 128kbps.
128kbps is what's known as a speed limit. While you can send and receive LINE messages and emails without any issues, it's difficult to comfortably watch videos or browse social media. If you want to enjoy a smooth internet connection, you'll need to purchase a data Topping.
In addition, when making a voice call, it costs 22 yen per 30 seconds, and when sending domestic SMS, it costs 3.3 yen per message (70 characters).
The fourth is that carrier email cannot be used.
This is not just true for povo2.0, but also for other online-only brands and MVNOs, but as a general rule, if you switch from one carrier to another, you will no longer be able to use carrier-specific email addresses such as "@ezweb.ne.jp".
However, each carrier offers a service called "email portability," which allows you to continue using your carrier-specific email address even after canceling your contract, for a monthly fee of 330 yen. If you are switching from another carrier, consider using this email address portability service or a free email service such as Gmail or Yahoo! Mail.
The fifth is that you cannot use family discounts or discounts for bundled plans with internet lines, etc.
Carriers such as au offer discounts when family members use the same service, or when signing up for a related fiber optic line. However, with povo2.0, such family discounts and bundled discounts with fiber optic lines do not apply.
However, because the fees are set lower, povo2.0 will often be cheaper even after deducting the discount. When considering switching, be sure to calculate the current and fees fees advance.
The sixth point is that you cannot carry over any unused data capacity.
With a monthly smartphone plan, you can often carry over any unused data from the previous month to the next month. However, with povo2.0, you cannot carry over data.
For example, if you purchase a 1GB data Topping with a 7-day validity and have only used 500MB at the end of the 7th day, the remaining data will be lost. You will not be able to use the remaining 500MB from the 8th day onwards. Make sure to purchase only the amount of data Topping you can use within the expiration date.
Considering the advantages and disadvantages we have seen so far, povo2.0 is especially recommended for people who fit the following criteria:
povo2.0 allows you to purchase data capacity as needed, and is highly recommended for people who want to keep their monthly communication fees as low as possible.
In particular, for those whose data usage varies greatly from month to month, switching from a monthly plan to povo2.0, which allows you to purchase the data capacity you need each time, can help you eliminate waste and optimize your costs. If there is a participating #Giga-Katsu store nearby, you can receive data capacity every time you shop, which will further reduce your monthly communication costs.
So far, we have explained the advantages and disadvantages of povo2.0 and who it is recommended for. Using this article as a reference, we hope you will consider using povo2.0, which allows you to use your smartphone conveniently and at a great price.
*The names of products and services mentioned in this article are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies.
