This fact-finding survey, whose results were published as "Issues in competition policy in the mobile phone market (2021 survey)", showed that mobile phones ( (including smartphones) for the purpose of grasping the competitive situation in the market and examining competition policy issues. Issues related to creating an environment that makes it easy for consumers to choose the most suitable rate plan, issues related to mobile phone handsets, issues related to ensuring a competitive environment for MVNOs, and issues related to transactions between MNOs and sales agents. It is being investigated and considered.
The Fair Trade Commission's request for inspection and improvement, which the three companies have announced this time, is based on the above investigation, "methods for providing terminal purchase support programs" and "optimization of transactions with sales agents". was asked for inspection and improvement.
The response contents announced by the three companies are as follows. It should be noted that KDDI/Softbank has reported to the Fair Trade Commission on the content of the response.
For terminal purchase support programs provided by each carrier (NTT Docomo "Smartphone Welcome Program", KDDI "Return Program", "Smartphone Toku Program", Softbank "Toku Suru Support +"), non-line subscribers Improvements have been made in terms of dealing with the situation and the conditions under which it is not necessary to pay the remaining debt.
Common to the three companies, in order to make it more recognizable that non-subscribers can use the terminal purchase support program, we do not have a communication contract near the logo of the terminal purchase support program in advertisements and promotional materials. Improvements have been made to display in an easy-to-understand manner that the terminal purchase support program can be used even if the
In addition, in the explanation of important matters at the time of purchase, the application form for the terminal purchase support program, the user page / email / direct mail / SMS, etc., it is stated that the balance will be exempted even after the cancellation of the line contract. made it known. NTT Docomo plans to support email notification from November.
In addition, KDDI has made an improvement that allows you to join the terminal purchase program online even if you do not have a line contract. Softbank is also planning to sell online devices to non-subscribers.
Regarding the improvement of the conditions that do not require payment of the balance, Softbank has abolished the condition that requires subscribers after September 24th to repurchase the terminal in order to make the payment of the balance unnecessary. Similarly, on September 16, KDDI stopped accepting applications for the "Replacement Program," which asks users to purchase a new terminal, and began offering a "Smartphone Toku Program," which does not require replacement, on September 17.
Regarding the sales agent evaluation system, all three companies have established rules to set sufficient notice periods when changing the sales agent evaluation standards, and solicit opinions from sales agents on the evaluation system. It is said that the system has been improved to make it easier to reflect the opinions of distributors.
In addition, since June 2021, KDDI has removed indicators related to the number of sales contracts such as large-capacity plans from the distributor evaluation system. NTT Docomo does not have a system that evaluates the number of sales of large-capacity rate plans, and will continue to strive to create an environment in which users can select the optimal rate plan.
Regarding the terminal sales price, we confirmed that the three companies did not hinder the free setting of the terminal sales price by the distributors, strengthened awareness of this, and conducted training for sales representatives. We will raise awareness and publicize the observance of rules so that we do not force, instruct, or request that will lead to binding the selling price of the product.
In addition, as an improvement measure, NTT DoCoMo sets prices so that the wholesale price to sales agents is lower than the online direct sales price, and SoftBank allows sales agents to freely set the selling price of mobile phone handsets. In this way, we have revised the sales incentives for single handset sales. Although KDDI does not specify the details, it is said that improvement measures have been implemented since September 2021 to ensure the degree of freedom in setting the selling price of terminals at distributors.
Regarding retailers handling their own products, NTT DoCoMo has relaxed the restrictions on the standards that have been set so far, while taking into account the viewpoints of ensuring the safety of products, maintaining quality, and maintaining the brand image. In addition, we have confirmed that the standards up to now have been properly operated, and we will continue to strive for appropriate operation in consideration of sales agents.
KDDI will set standards for the handling of its own products and plans to implement improvement measures that allow handling if the standards are met by an application from a sales agent. SoftBank also plans to reconsider the approval criteria while taking into consideration the requests and needs of sales agents and the way support for sales agents should be.