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Pro & Con Comparison Chart
Yahoo! BB ADSL with vs. without NTT

Q. Yahoo! BB ADSL works over NTT's metal phone wires but it's not necessary to have NTT phone service to get ADSL. So, is it better to get Yahoo! BB with or without NTT phone service?

A. Well, getting Yahoo! BB without NTT phone service does not provide the big cost savings most people expect and, in fact, there are pros and cons both ways. Read on for a detailed comparison.

In the following comparisons of various points, 3 situations are compared: (1) users who have NTT landline service already and order Yahoo! BB, (2) users who don't have NTT land line service but order both Yahoo! BB and NTT land line service and, (3) users who order Yahoo! BB without NTT land line service.

For each situation pro (positive) points are noted in Green, Con (negative) points in Red and Neutral points are in Black

How long does it take to get connected?

  1. If you have NTT phone service already and request YBB:
    6 working days.
  2. If you don't have NTT but request YBB with NTT:
    10 days to 3 weeks.
  3. If you request YBB without NTT:
    4 - 6 weeks.

Do I have to be home for connection?

  1. If you have NTT already and request YBB:
    No.
  2. If you don't have NTT but request YBB with NTT:
    Usually no (25% chance you will have to meet them).
  3. If you request YBB without NTT:
    A visit is always necessary.

Is Japanese language needed to apply for service?

  1. If you have NTT already and request YBB:
    No.
  2. If you don't have NTT but request YBB with NTT:
    No.
  3. If you request YBB without NTT:
    Yes. (Note 1)

Are there Phone Line Connection Charges?

  1. If you have NTT already and request YBB:
    No.
  2. If you don't have NTT but request YBB with NTT:
    Usually 2.940 yen.. (Note 2)
  3. If you request YBB without NTT:
    No.

Are there ADSL Connection Charges?

Yes. In all cases it is pro-rated ¥84/month over 60 months but is forgiven if service ends early.

Are there any calling restrictions?

  1. If you have NTT already and request YBB:
    No.
  2. If you don't have NTT but request YBB with NTT:
    No.
  3. If you request YBB without NTT:
    Yes. Without NTT phone service you cannot call some 050 numbers issued by some other internet providers.

What Identification Documents are required for application?

  1. If you have NTT already and request YBB:
    None.
  2. If you don't have NTT but request YBB with NTT:
  3. If you request YBB without NTT:
    Alien Registration Card (only)

What is the procedure when moving residence?

  1. If you have NTT already and request YBB:
    Both NTT and Yahoo! BB service may be transferred to the new location by telephone request in English. Formal application and copies of ID are NOT needed. Both NTT and YBB services may be connected on moving day if sufficient notice is provided (usually 2~3 weeks). (Note 3)
  2. If you don't have NTT but request YBB with NTT:
    Same as above. (Note 3)
  3. If you request YBB without NTT:
    New application must be filed, including ID showing new address BUT such ID cannot be obtained until after the move. Time to connection at least three weeks after moving. If a new alien card is to be issued, add 2~3 weeks more onto that! (Note 4)

Can I pause the ADSL service while on vacation to save money?

  1. If you request YBB and have NTT already:
    Yes. (Note 7)
  2. If you don't have NTT but request YBB with NTT:
    Yes. (Note 7)
  3. If you request YBB without NTT:
    No.

Is the phone number portable (i.e., can you keep the same 050 number when you move anywhere in Japan)?

  1. If you request YBB and have NTT already:
    Yes.
  2. If you don't have NTT but request YBB with NTT:
    Yes.
  3. If you request YBB without NTT:
    No.
    (Note 5)

How does the monthly cost (i.e., all the YBB & NTT billed fees ex. tolls for calls that are billed monthly) compare?

  1. If you use YBB on a 'rented' (Lite) phone line:
    376 yen more per month than Non-NTT type
  2. If you use YBB on an regular "owned" NTT line:
    From 149 yen less to 113 yen more per month than Non-NTT type and must own or buy line.
  3. If you use YBB without NTT:
    From 149 yen more to between 113 and 376 yen/month less than NTT type.
    (Note 6)

Click to Apply for:

Yahoo! BB--have NTT phone service already

Yahoo! BB Internet access plus NTT Phone service

Yahoo! BB--don't have & don't want NTT phone service

NTT land line phone service only-no internet service

Notes:

  1. In order to comply with Japan's consumer privacy law, Yahoo! BB requires the applicant (him or herself) to make certain contacts with the company. For most account-related matters, the English Account support line can handle the call, but arranging the visits by technicians is only done over the Japanese-language support line, because only they have access to the schedules of the technicians. Hence, that must be done in Japanese. Normally, having a bilingual friend or associate standing by the phone to assist will be acceptable but having someone else (e.g., BBapply.com) make the call without the applicant present is not.

  2. Cases of additional NTT connection costs are actually somewhat rare. The most common reason for extra charges is customer request to move a jack to a different part of the residence. In any case, if extra charges apply, the installer will attempt (!) to communicate that fact to you and get approval. (Pay attention if they start stringing wires!)

  3. The comment on moving procedure for users with NTT phone service assumes that the NTT phone service at both the old and new locations have the same keiyaku-sha meigi-nin (the Contracting Party who arranged the phone service).

    4. If you are the Contracting Party or the Contracting Party allows moving the service, then the number and service, etc., will be portable and transfer can be arranged by phone without reapplication.

    The Contracting Party will (probably) be you if the phone service was arranged either by BBapply.com or by you yourself (not your employer or landlord, estate agent, etc.).

    If (1) the NTT service was arranged by your school or employer without need for you to provide an ID to NTT, or (2) the NTT meigi-nin will change for any other reason, or (3) if the NTT service is not transferred but rather is stopped and then restarted, then the procedure when moving to a new address will be the same as if there were no NTT service.

    To verify the keiyaku-sha meigi-nin for the line, call NTT.

  4. The comment on moving procedure without NTT service assumes you have non-NTT YBB service and will continue with that at the new location.

    5. If you decide to change to YBB with NTT service at the new location then net access can be arranged a bit more quickly--about two to three weeks after you move. In some cases, it may even be possible to have the service connected within a few days of the move. Include a comment on your application that you are moving and BBapply.com will advise on how to get connected most quickly.

  5. Comment on the portability of the 050 telephone number for NTT users assumes that the NTT line kanyu-ken meigi-nin on the new service will be the same as the meigi-nin for the prior location, i.e., situation is the same as for moving procedure. If the NTT meigi-nin changes, then the 050 number must also change. (See Note 3 for more info.)

  6. NTT monthly phone rates vary according to the population of the service area and type of line (tone or pulse). Rural areas and small towns are the lowest and large cities are the highest. Pulse is cheaper in rural/small towns but the same as tone in large cities. See either the NTT East or NTT West sites for detailed NTT pricing info (English).

  7. When used with NTT phone service, Yahoo! BB internet service may be paused while on vacation, etc., to save money. The service may be paused for any length of time but only full calendar months will be credited and there is no pro-rating for partial months. For example, if the service is paused from July 20th until September 5th, the month of August will not be charged but full charges will apply for July and September.

Hope this helps!

Jimmie

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