Japanese iPhone provider reduces its data plan fees

The third largest mobile phone operator in Japan, Softbank Mobile, announced it will reduce the data subscription rate for its Apple iPhone service later this month to as low as ¥2,990 ($27) per month from ¥7,280 ($67) per month.

At the minimum rate, prices for data packages will then be staggered depending how much data a user sends and receives, though Softbank will make sure subscribers cannot pass the $67 maximum data cap.

It seems rather curious that a mobile phone operator would cut prices just one month after the international launch of the iPhone 3G. No other phone operators supporting the iPhone have made a similar price cut for data usage.

Due to extremely high demand of the mobile phone, Japanese retailers are still quickly selling out of 3G iPhones, with many stores offering vouchers to customers. Current iPhone owners in Japan will see the data plan price drop begin later this month.

The decision to reduce data rates was made after Softbank engineers checked to make sure the company's network will be able to withstand the wireless usage.

The news comes at the same time Softbank company officials announced its record operating profits for its last fiscal quarter, at just over \85 billion, though net income fell 23% in the same quarter due to staggering corporate tax increases.

Softbank Mobile is the only Japanese provider selling the iPhone.