SoftBank users in Japan able to roam all the way to U.S. at same rates

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Japanese telecom giant SoftBank on Friday launched a new promotional campaign for its users, called America Hodai (America Unlimited) where users traveling to the United States can enjoy the same rates on voice calls and internet usage as they do in Japan for no additional charge.

The campaign coincides with the launch of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, both of which will also be compatible with the America Hodai offer. Regularly, this international service would cost 980 yen a month and require an application, but from the 19th it will be available to all for free and without signing up.

SoftBank will be working in cooperation with Sprint to provide the coverage in the continental US, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. There is no determined end date to this promotion but it would be a good chance for business people or those just happening to take a vacation in the near future to take advantage of it while it lasts.

However, if you happen to be a subscriber of SoftBank’s flat rate plans for data amounts over 5GB you can continue to get America Hodai for free.

Online comments over this announcement were varied.

“Docomo and AU can’t top this.”n“Even Hawaii?”n“That’s good news.”n“Is this because SoftBank bought Sprint?”n“I don’t go to America so I don’t need this.”n“I don’t even have a passport.”n“I could buy a prepaid AT&T phone in America cheaper.”n“That name sucks.”

That last comment might be referring to the term “hodai” which can mean “unlimited use” but often comes with an asterisk pointing us to the actual cap on said unlimited use. That, or the fact that the term is often used in restaurants like “all-you-can” (nomihodai = all-you-can-drink). This makes the name a little weird like “All-You-Can America.”

So, if you’re planning to get an iPhone 6 on release day and deciding on a provider, SoftBank is looking like it has a major advantage over its competitors with All-You-Can America. I wonder if Docomo and AU can whip together an equally compelling offer with their iPhones in the next two days. A Chinese buffet perhaps?

Sources: SoftBank, Gizmodo

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