Urged by the government, the four major cell phone carriers and other companies will allow users to complete the procedure for switching carriers simply by applying at the company they wish to use.
In as early as late May, the new procedures will make it easier for customers to switch carriers with the aim of encouraging competition among cell phone companies. Participating in the new framework will be the four major cell phone carriers -- NTT Docomo Inc., KDDI Corp., SoftBank Corp. and Rakuten Mobile Inc. -- as well as some low-cost smartphone operators, or mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).
The mobile number portability system, or MNP, which enables users to use the same phone number even if they change carriers, will be used.
