It's becoming more common to exchange messages using LINE or free email services. Some people may be wondering whether they really need carrier email in the future, or whether they should continue to use their carrier email address just in case. Some people may also be worried about losing their carrier email and are hesitant to switch carriers.
In this article, we will explain the situations in which you will need carrier email, as well as portability services that allow you to continue using carrier email, and how to change from carrier email to free email.
Carrier email refers to the email address provided by a carrier when you sign up for a mobile phone contract. For example, major carriers such as au, docomo, SoftBank, and Rakuten Mobile, as well as UQ Mobile and Y!Mobile, also provide carrier email.
| Career | Email address example |
|---|---|
| au | @ezweb.ne.jp, @au.com |
| docomo | @docomo.ne.jp |
| SoftBank | @softbank.ne.jp,@i.softbank.jp |
| Rakuten Mobile | @rakumail.jp |
| UQ Mobile | @uqmobile.jp |
| Y!Mobile | @yahoo.ne.jp |
A major feature of carrier email is its high reliability. Unlike free email services, which can be used for free, carrier email is provided after identity verification in accordance with laws and regulations, so you can use it with peace of mind. Another benefit of carrier email is that you can use spam filtering services provided by telecommunications companies.
Below are some situations where you might need carrier email. While it's not often that you absolutely need it, you should be careful if it applies to you.
・There are people I only communicate with via carrier email.
・It may be better to have a carrier email address at the bank.
・May be required for communication network services
・Used to register web services
If you only communicate with someone using carrier email, you will no longer be able to contact them if you can no longer use carrier email.
There is little to worry about if you have provided another means of contact such as LINE, but if carrier email is your only means of communication, you should be careful. If carrier email becomes unusable, be sure to let them know your new contact information in advance.
In some cases, it may not be possible to register with a free email address or it may not be recommended to use a free email address when using an internet bank or one-time password for internet banking services.
Free email addresses are considered to have a relatively high risk of having your password or ID guessed. For security reasons, there are cases where you are required to use a more secure email address such as a carrier email address, so be sure to check.
Communication network services used by kindergartens and schools may require you to register with a reliable email address such as a carrier email address.
If you are currently using such a service or plan to use it in the near future, consider continuing with your carrier or using a carrier email portability service to keep your address. We will explain email portability services in more detail later.
If you are using a carrier email address to register with a web service, you will no longer receive notifications if your carrier email address becomes unusable. You will need to change the address you registered in advance.
Also, when you cancel your carrier contract, you will no longer be able to use carrier billing (a payment service that allows you to pay along with your communication fees), so if you are using carrier billing, be sure to change your payment method at the same time.
Even if you primarily use carrier email, there are many cases where you can use free email instead, so we recommend that you check your usage again.
If you notify the people you communicate with via carrier email of your change of contact information and have them change their registration, you will be able to continue communicating with them. If you use carrier email to register for web services, you can switch to free email by changing the registration one by one.
On the other hand, there may be cases where people don't actually use their carrier email address very often, but still feel uneasy about being completely unable to use it.
However, if most of your communication is via free email, LINE, SMS, etc., there should be very few cases where you would be in trouble without a carrier email address.
In particular, if you are worried about switching from carrier email to free email when switching smartphones, you can try out free email while continuing to use your carrier email with an email portability service. Email portability services can be canceled online at any time, so it's worth considering using them.
Also, if you are unsure, be sure to check with your current carrier about email portability services before switching to a free email service.
Various telecommunications companies have started offering carrier email portability services.
Previously, if you switched from your current carrier, you would no longer be able to use your carrier email. However, now, by using a carrier email portability service, you can continue to use your carrier email even after switching carriers.
The email portability services offered by each carrier are as follows. The monthly fees is 330 yen (tax included included). SoftBank also offers yearly contracts.
| Service Name | Fee |
|---|---|
| au "Portable au email" | 330 yen per month (tax included) |
| Docomo "docomo Mail Portable" | 330 yen per month (tax included) |
| SoftBank "Email address portability" | 330 yen per month (tax included) Or 3,300 yen per year (tax included) |
| Rakuten Mobile "Rakumail Portable" | 330 yen per month (tax included) |
Please note that in order to use the email portability service, you must apply within a certain validity after canceling your carrier contract. For example, with au, you must apply within 31 days of canceling your contract. If you wish to use the email portability service, be sure to complete the application process promptly after canceling your carrier contract.
If you're looking for a new carrier to reduce your smartphone fees, we recommend "povo 2.0."
"povo2.0" is au 's online-only fees brand that can be tailored to each individual's usage. It is available as Base Plan with a monthly fee of Topping yen (*1) (*2) (*3), with paid data and call Topping available for purchase. The following types of paid Topping are available:
| Topping Type | Topping Name | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Data Topping | Unlimited data (24 hours) (※4) | 330円/回 |
| 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20GB(30日間) | 2,700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 | |
| Content Topping | DAZN Unlimited Pack (7 days) | 1,145 yen/time (※8) |
| smash. Unlimited use pack (24 hours) | 220 yen/time (※7) | |
| Call Topping (※5) | Unlimited calls of up to 5 minutes (※9) | 550円/月 |
| Unlimited calls (※9) | 1,650円/月 | |
| Support Topping | Smartphone breakdown support (※6) (We will send you a replacement device if your smartphone breaks down) |
830円/月 |
Data Topping are available in a wide range, from a low-capacity Topping of 1GB (7 days) to a high-capacity Topping of 150GB (180 days).In addition, if you need a large amount of data communication for a specific day, you can also use the 24-hour Unlimited data Topping (*5).
Of course, you can still use your carrier email portability service when switching to povo2.0. If you plan to continue using your carrier email, consider using the carrier email portability service to switch.
*1: Since this is an online-only plan, all procedures and support will be online. povo2.0 Contact us through the app or official website. *2: Additional fees such as fees may apply. If you have not validity purchased a paid Topping for more than 180 days or more, you may be suspended or terminated. Please note.
If you sign up for 5 lines (*) under the same name, a contract administration fee of tax included 3,850 yen/line will be charged after the 6th line in total.
*Includes lines that have been canceled or canceled by our company within the past 1 year. *3: Calls to Japan cost tax included 22 yen/30 seconds, and SMS calls cost tax included 3.3 yen/message (up to 70 characters) separately. Depending on the model, it can transmit up to 670 characters in full width. Up to 134 characters are counted as 2 letters, and after that, a transmission fee of 1 letter will be charged for every 67 characters. Some call charges, such as calls to satellite phones, may vary. Click here for details.
Reference: povo2.0 Plan Details (povo)
*4: The communication speed may be limited during network congestion or when using video, cloud games, etc. (The same goes for others) *5: If there is no special request after purchase, it will be automatically continued every month. *6: New applications have ended as of July 31, 2023. *7: As of April 30, 2024, the "smash. all-you-can-use pack" has been discontinued. *8: As of November 30, 2024, the "DAZN All-You-Can-Use Pack (7 days)" has been discontinued.*Calls to phone numbers set by other companies starting at 9:0570 (navigation dial, etc.) fees, number guidance (104) (number guidance fees are not free, call fees are free), government 1XY service (188), #ダイヤル (quick dial), SMS sending, calls to satellite phones, Calls to telephone numbers separately designated by the Company are not eligible for free calls by this Topping. International calls and calls made and received from overseas are also not eligible. Call charges are charged according to the service.
*The names of products and services mentioned in this article are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. ・" au" is a registered trademark of KDDI Corporation. ・"LINE" is a trademark or registered trademark of LINE Corporation. ・"NTT docomo" is a registered trademark of Japan Telegraph and Telephone Corporation. ・"Rakuten Mobile" is a registered trademark of Rakuten Group Corporation. ・" SoftBank" is a registered trademark of SoftBank Group Co., Ltd.
Name: Masato Ogawa
Profile: A consultant well-versed in communication services recommended by newspapers. Representative of QUANTA. An expert on mobile services such as fiber optic lines, mobile phones, and pocket WiFi. Previously worked as a salesperson at a major electronics retailer, but keenly realized the complexity of the types of fiber optic and mobile services and their fees structures. Wanting to "enable customers to choose the best plan," he became involved in livedoor's communication service media site, "livedoor Choice." At one point, he had contracts with three fiber optic line companies and 15 mobile phone companies at the same time. In 2019, he was awarded the 2019 Value Commerce MVP.
