SoftBank now giving away iPhones in Japan
AppleInsider — ... , translated ) with a two-year contract that can be tied to one of three promotional plans including basic, premium, or student. The 16GB iPhone, meanwhile, isn't paid for in full up front. Rather, it costs 480 yen per month ($4.96 in U.S. dollars) for a total price over the two-year contract of ¥ 11,520 ($119.11). SoftBank is adding even further incentive for customers to buy. The company's typical data plan is being discounted from the normal ¥ 5985 per month to a maximum of ¥ 4410. In U.S. dollars, that's a cut from $61.88 to $45.59 per month. When the carrier first ...

News: SoftBank offers free 8GB iPhone 3G in new promo
iLounge | All Things iPod, iPhone, iTunes and beyond — SoftBank Mobile has announced ( Translated Link ) its new “iPhone for everybody” campaign , in which it is offering new customers a free 8GB iPhone 3G with a two year contract. The free handset is available with three different plans, including standard, premium, and student, which range in price from 490 Yen (roughly $5) to 1,960 Yen (~$20) a month. The carrier is also dropping the price on its standard monthly data plan from 5985 Yen (~$61) to 4410 Yen (~$45). In addition, it is offering customers who choose the 16GB model a payment plan of 480 Yen (~$4.93) a month over the course of the 24 month contract, for a total of 11,520 Yen (~$118). The promotion is scheduled to run from Friday, February 27 through May 31. [via AppleInsider ]

Japanese offered free iPhones with mobile service agreement
Obsessable News Feed — 8 GB 3G iPhones are free with cell plans, with heavy discounts available on the 16 GB model. Once again we're being reminded that, when it comes to gadgets, the Japanese just can't be competed with. While there's still lots of great stuff that gets released over here and only later finds its way to Japan, more often than not the inverse seems true. We can't even keep track of the many great-looking mobile phones, laptops, and media players that you just can't buy in the west. The latest news from Japan that's got us jealous is the announcement that iPhones are being given away free, fully subsidized by their carrier plans. Japanese mobile provider SoftBank is now offering a free 8 GB iPhone with a two-year service contract. ...

Japan to Get Free iPhones on Softbank Mobile
IntoMobile - Cell Phone News, Information, and Analysis — Perhaps iPhone sales aren’t as rosy as we think over in Japan. No solid sales numbers are available at this point, but one has to wonder how good it really is selling now that Softbank (OTCPK: SFTBF) Mobile intends to offer up the 8GB model for free. That’s right, free. A report over at CrunchGear noted that Softbank is seeking a jolt in sales, and intend to offer the 8GB iPhone 3G for free on a 2-year contract, and the 16GB version for just over $100 on the same deal. The promo is set to begin this Friday and should run until the end of May. To coincide with the free iPhone, data plans are being discounted from just over $60 per month to somewhere in the $45 range. Awesome news for everyone over in Japan for sure. If a free ...

SoftBank prepares to offer iPhone 3G for free in Japan
Boy Genius Report — The iPhone 3G might be selling like hotcakes here in the US but it looks like other countries may be a bit reluctant to hand over standard functionality such as MMS and copy/paste in exchange for the smooth touchscreen ride the iPhone affords. According to a press release issued by SoftBank Mobile early this morning, the Japanese carrier is preparing to introduce some unheard-of pricing for the iPhone 3G — free. And you thought $99 was a good deal… Starting Friday and extending though the end of May, SoftBank’s “iPhone for everybody Campaign” will offer the iPhone 3G 8GB for free or the iPhone 3G 16GB for $117 to new subscribers. There is a mandatory 2-year contract involved of course, and but the iPhone data ...

SoftBank to Offer Free iPhone 3G in Japan
Mobilewhack.com — [image] Japanese customers should be happy to hear that Softbank is getting ready to offer the iPhone 3G for free. It looks like the phone didn’t have the same success over here. Starting Friday the 8GB iPhone 3G will be offered for free while the 16GB version will sell for around $117 to new subscribers. They will still have to get a 2-year contract with that iPhone and the data plan will also cost only $44.75 compared to the standard $60. The offer is good through the end of May so you have some time to decide if the iPhone 3G is the thing you need. via SoftBank Tags: 3G , Apple , iPhone , Japan , Mobile News , Portable Devices , Softbank

Softbank offers 8GB iPhone free under a 2 year contract
iPhone Buzz — Japanese iPhone carrier Softbank Mobile will introduce a new program giving customers free 8GB iPhones under a two year contract. Disappointment looms for those who just handed over $235 (or about 22,782 Yen) with the plan starting on Friday. Although not clear, Softbank may be employing the philosophy that every time the price of the iPhone has dropped, demand has increased. This possibility was noted during last months earning conference call by Apple COO Tim Cook. Sales of the iPhone in Japan have been slower than expected where this plan by Softbank may potentially create the perfect springboard for iPhones into the market. Softbank are starting the "iPhone for everybody Campaign", with the Mobile Corporation ...

Softbank offers 8GB iPhone free under a 2 year contract
Top iPhone News — Japanese iPhone carrier Softbank Mobile will introduce a new program giving customers free 8GB iPhones under a two year contract. Disappointment looms for those who just handed over $235 (or about 22,782 Yen) with the plan starting on Friday. Although not clear, Softbank may be employing the philosophy that every time the price of the iPhone has dropped, demand has increased. This possibility was noted during last months earning conference call by Apple COO Tim Cook. Sales of the iPhone in Japan have been slower than expected where this plan by Softbank may potentially create the perfect springboard for iPhones into the market. Softbank are starting the “iPhone for everybody Campaign“, with the Mobile ...

SoftBank Free iPhone for Everybody
Gear Live — If you think the idea of an iPhone for $99.00 is a hot deal, look what SoftBank is offering with its “iPhone for Everybody Campaign.” Japanese subscribers will receive an iPhone 3G 8GB for free with a 2-year contract with a monthly $44.75 charge as opposed to their standard $60.00. Users can also select an iPhone 3G 16GB for $117.00. The deal begins today and will run through the end of May. ...