SoftBank reveals pricing and plans for iPhone 3G

Just about three weeks before the iPhone 3G will hit Japan, yesterday SoftBank released more details on pricing and the rate plans. (Japanese press release here)

iPhone 3G Pricing in Japan
SoftBank allows you to spread the iPhone cost into 24 monthly payments. The pricing is as follows:

• 8GB model: 23,040 yen / 960 yen per month (about 215 dollars / 9 dollars per month)
  
• 16GB model: 34,560 yen / 1,440 yen per month (about 320 dollars / 13 dollars per month)
  

If I’m not mistaken, these are tax-included prices.

Rate Plans
And the most important deciding factor for me – the rate plan.
In a nutshell, the cheapest rate plan for the iPhone is going to set you back 7,280 yen (close to 70 dollars) every month. The breakdown is as follows:

• Calling Plan (unlimited calls with other Softbank phone owners) 980 yen (9 dollars)
  
• Unlimited Data 5,985 yen (55 dollars)
  
• Miscellaneous Fee of 315 yen (3 dollars)
  

So it looks like the data plan is mandatory, and that really looks like I won’t be getting one when it launches. Bummer.  I guess I shall get the software update for my iPod Touch…