First of all, I wanted to thank several of your for your excellent comments in response to last week’s post. One reader rightly pointed out that I had missed one of the best bargains around in terms of calling: Yahoo BB!’s IP telephony service. At Y2.5 per minute, this is unquestionably some of the cheapest telephone service around.
Note, however, that BB Phone is usually bundled for free with Yahoo BB!’s ADSL Internet service, and without it, the monthly service fee is Y1,508. As the service still requires a phone line, you also must maintain your NTT access line, incurring the monthly NTT basic charge of around Y1,800. So, IP telephony, while cheap, still requires some added expense if you don’t get it as part of your ADSL service.
While on the topic of Internet access, I thought I’d delve a little into the issue of wireless Internet access. Also known as “WiFi” in English or “musen LAN” (wireless LAN) in Japanese, wireless internet is an excellent choice for both in-home browsing and browsing on the go. Even more interesting from a frugal standpoint is the trend towards free wireless “hotspots,” or locations where wireless-enabled notebooks and PC devices can access the Internet for free.
Our newest laptop has a build-in wireless modem and “finder,” which is software that automatically locates what wireless networks are within range. (You can also add a wireless modem PC card to your existing PC.) I first discovered this unique attribute when I went online at Narita Airport. Y500 (using your credit card) will buy you a day-pass good within any of Narita’s terminals. Haneda, Kansai, and other airports offer similar services. JR East also offers a paid service through mobile Internet providers.
In Japan, YahooBB continues to offer free wireless Internet at some McDonald’s, Starbucks, Mister Donuts and other locations. You have to sign up online for a special ID, but for the moment this service remains free.
Melco, one of the largest manufacturers of wireless routing equipment, has also set up a subsidiary called “Freespot Association,” which actively recruits stores, restaurants, cafes, and other locations to join their “free Hotspot” program. The Freespot Association website lists 183 places in Tokyo alone with free wireless Internet access, searchable by map.
Finally, there is wireless mooching. Three times over the last few weeks I have been in locations where someone else’s wireless LAN system has been strong enough for my PC to pick-up, and use, the signal. In a country like Japan, where buildings are quite close together and houses are made of flimsy wood, I’m sure this can happen elsewhere as well. Just be careful using an unsecured connection — we picked up some nasty viruses mooching wireless access in San Francisco a few weeks back. As for the ethics of wireless mooching — you’re welcome to debate this on the Frugal Japan mailing list!