Cancel Your Home Internet & Go Smartphone-Only with Rakuten Mobile [2026 Guide]
If you’re a foreign resident in Japan juggling a separate smartphone bill and a home broadband contract, you’ve probably done the math at least once and winced. Between a typical fiber plan running ¥4,000–¥6,000 per month and a major carrier smartphone plan on top of that, it’s easy to spend ¥10,000+ every single month just to stay connected.
There’s a growing trend among savvy residents — both Japanese and foreign — of cutting the home internet cord entirely and relying on a single unlimited mobile plan. In 2026, with Rakuten Mobile’s network maturing rapidly and a genuinely competitive unlimited data plan, this “smartphone-only lifestyle” has become more realistic than ever. And if you time your switch right, you can pocket up to 14,000 Rakuten points just for making the move.
This guide breaks down exactly how that works, what to watch out for, and whether the smartphone-only lifestyle actually makes sense for your situation.
Why Foreign Residents Are Canceling Their Home Broadband
The Double-Billing Problem
Many foreign residents in Japan end up with two separate internet contracts almost by accident. When you first arrive, you sign up for a SIM from a major carrier (docomo, au, SoftBank) through your employer or a store near your apartment. Then, once you settle in, you add home fiber internet — often bundled through the same carrier to get a discount.
The result: two bills, two contracts, two cancellation headaches if you ever want to change anything.
What “Smartphone-Only” Actually Means
Going smartphone-only means canceling your home broadband (fiber or cable) and relying entirely on your mobile data plan for all connectivity — including tethering your laptop, tablet, or smart TV when needed. For this to work, you need:
- A genuinely unlimited data plan with no throttling
- Reasonable speeds for everyday use (streaming, video calls, browsing)
- A price point low enough to justify ditching the home plan
Rakuten Mobile’s single unlimited tier at ¥3,278/month (tax included) checks all three boxes for many users. There are no speed caps based on how much data you use, and tethering is included at no extra charge.
The Real Savings: How Much Can You Actually Keep?
Let’s run a simple comparison.
| Setup | Monthly Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Major carrier smartphone + home fiber | ¥8,000 – ¥12,000 |
| Rakuten Mobile only (unlimited) | ¥3,278 |
| Monthly savings | ¥4,700 – ¥8,700 |
Over a year, that’s potentially ¥56,000 – ¥104,000 back in your pocket. For a two- or three-year stretch, the numbers become genuinely significant — especially if you’re saving toward travel, sending money home, or just building an emergency fund.
Add the one-time bonus of up to 14,000 Rakuten points when switching via an employee referral link, and your first-year savings look even better.
The Employee Referral Campaign: Up to 14,000 Points Explained
Rakuten Mobile runs both a standard “friend referral” campaign and a separate, more generous employee referral campaign. The difference matters.
Standard Campaign vs. Employee Referral
| Campaign Type | MNP Switch | New Signup |
|---|---|---|
| Normal campaign | 13,000 points | Varies |
| Employee referral | 14,000 points | 11,000 points |
Switching via an employee referral link gives you 1,000 extra points on top of the standard MNP offer — a small but real bonus that takes zero extra effort on your part.
For a deeper look at exactly how the employee referral campaign works, check out this complete breakdown: Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral Campaign: Get Up to 14,000 Points — Complete Guide for Foreign Residents in Japan [2026 Guide]
Who Qualifies?
One of the biggest advantages of the employee referral campaign — compared to the standard friend referral — is broader eligibility:
- ✅ First-time Rakuten Mobile users (new signup)
- ✅ MNP transfers from another carrier (au, docomo, SoftBank, etc.)
- ✅ Re-contracts (people who previously canceled and want to return)
- ✅ 2nd or additional lines (adding a second SIM under the same account)
The re-contract and additional-line eligibility is exclusive to the employee referral campaign — the standard friend referral does not cover these cases. If you’ve used Rakuten Mobile before and canceled, or if you want to add a line for a family member, this distinction is important.
Note: Each person can hold a maximum of 5 lines under the employee referral campaign.
Important: Points Are Limited-Period (Use Them Fast)
This is worth emphasizing clearly: the points you receive are “limited-period points,” not regular Rakuten points.
Limited-period points have a shorter expiration window than standard points. They can be used across the Rakuten ecosystem — Rakuten Ichiba shopping, Rakuten Pay, and various partner services — but they will expire if you sit on them.
The practical advice: Plan in advance how you’ll use your points. Common approaches among foreign residents include applying them to monthly Rakuten Mobile bills, using them on Rakuten Ichiba for everyday purchases, or spending them at convenience stores and supermarkets via Rakuten Pay.
Don’t let them expire unused — that’s free money gone.
Payment Schedule
Points are not paid all at once. They’re distributed in 3 installments, starting from the 4th month after the month you logged in via the referral link. So if you log in in January, your first installment arrives around May. Plan your point-spending strategy around this timeline.
Key Rule for 2026 Applications: The Rakuten Link Call Requirement
If you apply on or after March 2, 2026, there is one additional step required to receive your points:
You must make a call of 10 seconds or more using the Rakuten Link app.
This is a simple requirement — just open the Rakuten Link app and make a brief call (to anyone, including yourself if you have another device). However, it’s easy to forget, especially if you’re only using the SIM for data.
⚠️ Data-only SIM plans are not eligible for the point campaign. You need a voice-enabled line and must complete the Rakuten Link call to qualify.
The 7-Day Login Rule
If you apply without clicking a referral link first, there’s a grace period: logging in via the referral URL within 7 days of your application still qualifies you for the campaign. Keep this in mind if you start the application process and then find a referral link afterward.
Is Smartphone-Only Right for You? Honest Considerations
Before canceling your home broadband, it’s worth thinking through a few practical questions.
When Smartphone-Only Works Well
- Solo or couple living in a 1–2 person household with moderate internet usage
- People who primarily use the internet on mobile devices (smartphone, tablet)
- Frequent travelers who don’t want to pay for a home connection they don’t use
- Renters in temporary housing who want flexibility without long-term contracts
When You Might Want to Keep Home Internet
- Heavy PC users who regularly transfer large files, do video editing, or gaming
- Households with multiple people all streaming simultaneously (tethering can strain data speeds during peak hours)
- Remote workers on strict VPNs where latency matters significantly
- Areas where Rakuten Mobile’s coverage is still thin — check your specific address carefully
On that last point, coverage has expanded considerably. For the latest on where Rakuten Mobile stands on its 99.9% population coverage rollout, see: Rakuten Mobile Coverage Expansion 2026: Is the 99.9% Population Coverage Goal Finally Here? [2026 Guide]
How to Make the Switch: A Simple Roadmap
Step 1: Check Your Current Contracts
Look at your home broadband contract for the cancellation terms. Many fiber contracts in Japan have a 2-year lock-in with an early termination fee (解約違約金). Timing your cancellation to the contract anniversary window can save you ¥10,000 or more in fees.
Step 2: Test Rakuten Mobile First
Before canceling your home internet, consider signing up for Rakuten Mobile as a second line and living with it for 30–60 days. Use it as your primary internet connection during that trial period to see if the speeds and coverage meet your needs. If you’re happy, then cancel the broadband.
Step 3: Apply via Employee Referral Link
When you’re ready to sign up (or switch your existing line to Rakuten Mobile), use an employee referral link to maximize your point bonus:
👉 Apply via Employee Referral Link
Remember to make your 10-second Rakuten Link call after activation to qualify for the points.
Step 4: Cancel Your Broadband
Once your Rakuten Mobile SIM is active and you’ve confirmed coverage is satisfactory at home, contact your broadband provider to initiate cancellation. Allow for the standard notice period (typically 1 month in advance).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a Rakuten Mobile SIM in a pocket Wi-Fi router at home? A: Yes — many users do this to share the connection across multiple devices without tethering from their phone. Check device compatibility before purchasing a router.
Q: I canceled Rakuten Mobile a few years ago. Can I re-apply and get the referral points? A: Yes — re-contracts are eligible under the employee referral campaign, which is one of its key advantages over the standard referral. Make sure to apply via the referral link.
Q: My Japanese isn’t great. Can I apply online? A: Yes, the online application process can be completed in Japanese but is relatively straightforward. Rakuten’s website also has some English support resources, and the My Rakuten Mobile app is usable with a basic understanding of the interface.
Q: I’m switching from au. Any extra steps? A: You’ll need to obtain an MNP transfer number (MNP予約番号) from au before applying at Rakuten Mobile. For a detailed step-by-step guide: How to Switch from au to Rakuten Mobile SIM Unlock Guide [2026 Guide]
Final Thoughts
Canceling home broadband and going smartphone-only isn’t the right move for everyone — but for a significant portion of foreign residents in Japan, particularly those living solo or in small households with typical daily internet needs, the math is hard to argue with.
At ¥3,278/month for truly unlimited data, Rakuten Mobile removes the complexity of managing two separate internet contracts. And if you’re making the switch anyway, there’s no reason not to maximize your points by applying through an employee referral.
If you’d like to get the full 14,000 points (MNP) or 11,000 points (new signup), you can use the employee referral link below. Just remember to log in within 7 days of applying if you visit the link after starting your application, and don’t forget your 10-second Rakuten Link call once your SIM is active.
👉 Apply via Employee Referral Link — Up to 14,000 Points
Good luck with the switch, and enjoy the lighter phone bill.