Japan’s Softbank is going to reduce monthly fees for the iPhone 3G in order to attract more customers. Softbank is willing to drop prices from 7,280 yen or $67 per month down to 2,990 yen or $27. That’s quite a price cut wouldn’t you say? I certainly hope that other carriers are watching this move.

The price cut will come from a reduced price of the data rate and it will certainly draw even more attention to the iPhone in Japan. More people should switch to the iPhone with this new low price offer.

So it’s official, or at least a little more official. Over at the AT&T/iPhone page, the service plans now detail the on-again/off-again free WiFi at AT&T hotspots feature. It hasn’t been officially announced yet as part of their plans, but this must be a step in that direction. Last week, it was inadvertently “test marketed” when several iPhone users found themselves temporarily able to access WiFi for free at such AT&T hotspots as Starbucks and Barnes & Noble. Such access was shortly thereafter removed.

Whether or not this means the service is currently available again, or if it’s forthcoming is unclear but it’s definitely on the way. Free mobile Internet is inching closer and closer to fully reality. Pretty soon, and that’s a very relative term, if you can get a signal you’ll be able to get online for no additional charge.

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