For 3G data communication in Japan, Docomo has introduced two new data billing plans. The prepaid data plans, namely 20h and 100h, will commence their journey through Sony’s next generation portable entertainment system, PlayStationVita (3G/ Wi-Fi model) which will release in December.
Users of the prepaid data plan 20h will have to pay 980 yen for 20 hours of access to the Docomo 3G network over a 30-day period. On the other hand those who choose the 100h plan will be charged 4,980 yen for 103 hours of network access over a time period of 180 days. This includes three hours of access at maximum speeds of 14Mbps downlink and 5.7Mbps uplink in Foma high-speed areas of the 3G network.
These plans require a fee of 2,100 yen for issuing a new Docomo UIM card. However, users of the PlayStationVita will not have to shell out this amount and a UIM card will be preinstalled in the system as a special campaign from Sony computer entertainment Inc.
The 20h and 100h plans must be renewed within 44 and 194 days respectively. In the event of user’s plan not being renewed within this time period, they will expire. For resuming these plans at a later date, they will have to apply for a new UIM card and pay up 2,100 yen again.
The Docomo prepaid 20h and 100h data plans are scheduled to be available from December in Japan. The company will also launch a special website where users can subscribe to, renew or alter their plans as well as check their remaining access time and days.