RetireJapan

Similar to the old Line Mobile post, as a newly minted Rakuten Mobile user, I'm eligible to refer new customers. The perks for referring are:

• You get 2000 points + in typical Rakuten style up to an additional 21,300 points depending on how you apply / what you sign up to etc.
• I get 3000 points.

Details here: https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/ca ... roduction/

How is the coverage? I am keen on switching to Rakuten Mobile, but I need to find out costs for getting out of my current contract.

I think if you care about coverage it's not a good choice. They are a new provider and their coverage doesn't compare to SoftBank / Docomo /AU. Most of the time you will be using a partner network unless you live/work in a coverage area (fortunately for me, I do!).

You can see the coverage here: https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/area/

The reason I use them is that I like what they're doing on an Engineering level - building a new modern infrastructure - and it doesn't hurt to have more competitors in the market, so I'll support the new guy.

I switched to them a few years ago BUT I'm not a heavy phone user on a usual weekday. I largely use my phone to listen to the BBC radio and podcasts. If I'm in Tokyo the service can SOMETIMES be very slow in congested areas but that might have improved recently as they were developing their network.

For me, as a light user, the cost savings were worth it.