Beginning this spring, some broadband Internet users will be able to place a three-minute call to the U.S. for 7.5 yen over a new service to be offered by Softbank Corp.
The rate will be the same for calls within Japan, and calls to other BB Phone subscribers will be free, Softbank announced Tuesday.
Softbank will team up with two subsidiaries to offer the service, which will be based on Internet Protocol. A trial period will precede the full launch.
Softbank's entry into telephone service will intensify rate competition. Currently, major carriers charge about 8.5 yen for a three-minute local call and 60 yen for a one-minute call to the U.S.
Softbank President Masayoshi Son said rates for calls to other countries will be set lower than other carriers.
Users will also have to pay 390 yen for a basic monthly fee and rent an adapter for 140 yen a month.
While IP-based telephone services usually require personal computers, the new service can use existing telephones.
The service will initially be offered to subscribers of broadband services run by its two subsidiaries, Yahoo Japan and BB Technologies. , it is also considering other potential customers, Son said.