Softbank is the Japanese carrier that managed to snatch a deal with Apple for releasing the 3G iPhone in Japan. I’m not going to build up suspense and throw it right in the first paragraph. The 8GB version will cost about $215 or 23,040 Yen which is almost matching AT&T’s price.

The 16GB version will come to $320 or 34,560 Yen. Almost matching AT&T’s price. It seems that what Steve Jobs said about iPhone prices around the world will become a fact. Softbank will propose a monthly plan of $68 per month or about 7,280 Yen. That will include unlimited data and some free minutes when talking to other Softbank subscribers.

The Apple deal will certainly increase Softbank’s accounts. They will be making up to 70% more off an iPhone subscriber than they do off a regular subscriber. If we are to quote on an iSHARE survey, 91% of Japanese aren’t interested in purchasing an iPhone. How will you deal with that Softbank?

Softbank is the solely iPhone seller in Japan, which is weird to say the least. We’ve seen a bunch of countries with more than one carrier preparing to offer the iPhone. Softbank’s competition, DoCoMo, which have almost three times the number of subscribers Softbank has, should get their act together and strike a deal with Apple. More competition between carriers in any country should theoretically benefit the customer which will have more than one option to choose from. Hear that AT&T?

via AppleInsider