Sign up and make payments all within the Mercari marketplace app using a service unique in Japan that allows users to buy and sell unused mobile data, starting from 1GB
Mercari, Inc. (“Mercari”) announces its entry into the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) business with Mercari Mobile, launched March 4, 2025. Mercari Mobile allows anyone to take care of all procedures from signing up to managing their daily usage easily right from the Mercari marketplace app. Users of the mobile service will also have access to a feature that allows them to buy and sell mobile data from each other in a way that is similar to listing items on the Mercari marketplace, making this one of the most flexible and affordable smartphone services ever.
Two simple mobile service plans will be available: a 2GB plan for 990 JPY per month, and a 20GB plan for 2,390 JPY per month (consumption tax included). Voice call, short message, and mobile data services will be provided using Docomo connections.
Note:Starting today, the service will gradually be made available to users of the iOS version of the Mercari marketplace app. The service is also being rolled out in stages to a portion of Android users.
■ Background
Lowering the high hurdles to changing service providers and filling the latent demand for flexible service plans
Approximately 80% of users say “I want a service plan that I can customize”
Since the popularization of smartphones in the 2010s, options for mobile service contracts have increased significantly due to the appearance of subcarriers provided by major carriers and of MVNOs. However, according to a Mercari survey, 64.4% of respondents said that they had either “never switched mobile service carriers” or “switched no more than once.”1 This shows that, due to such things as the complexity of contract procedures, the hurdles keeping consumers from readily changing carriers remain high.
In addition, in a survey that focused on mobile service plans, when users were asked what they did with any unused monthly mobile data, a total of 75.0% of respondents said either “I don’t do anything with it” or “I let it carry over to the next month, but in the end it goes unused.” Furthermore, among respondents who said that they never have enough data each month, 45.2% said that they “purchase additional mobile data every month.”2 Based on this feedback, Mercari has determined that there is a disparity between what mobile data contracts offer and how consumers actually use these services. When asked what sort of mobile service plan they would like to see, 78.6% of respondents said, “I want a service plan that I can customize to suit my needs.”2
Mercari has launched Mercari Mobile to resolve these issues and offer a more flexible and affordable user experience going forward.
1: Survey period: July 26, 2024, to July 29, 2024, Survey method: Internet research by an external agency, Respondents: 522 men and women aged 18 to 69
2: Survey period: February 12, 2025, to February 14, 2025, Survey method: Internet research by an external agency, Number of responses: 1,242 men and women aged 18 to 69 / Question for those who are aware of their monthly data usage.
■ Outline of Mercari Mobile
Mercari Mobile is a service that provides mobile data plans starting from 990 JPY per month for 2GB and allows users to take care of all procedures from signing up to making payments all from the Mercari marketplace app. The service allows anyone to sign up easily using the Mercari marketplace app. Users will also have access to a feature for listing and buying mobile data that is similar to listing an item on the Mercari marketplace, making this one of the most flexible and affordable smartphone services ever.
Two signature traits of the service
1.Sign up easily right from the Mercari marketplace app
The service allows users to complete the sign-up procedure for Mercari Mobile and manage their monthly data usage and payments all within the Mercari marketplace app. The service provides two simple monthly mobile service plans: a 2GB plan for 990 JPY and a 20GB plan for 2,390 JPY. This allows people signing up for a smartphone service contract online for the first time to feel at ease.
2.The first of its kind in Japan! Buy and sell mobile data for a more flexible and affordable smartphone experience
Mercari Mobile introduces a feature that allows users with unused mobile data and users who need more to buy and sell mobile data from each other freely for the first time ever in Japan.When monthly mobile data goes unused or is insufficient, similar to the Mercari marketplace app, users will be able to buy and sell Mercari Mobile data, starting from 200 JPY for 1GB. The proceeds from selling mobile data will be added to the user’s Mercari account balance and can be used for daily shopping or to pay off deferred payments through Merpay. In addition, the mobile data that users buy will be immediately added to their available data.
Note: Mobile data can be sold in units of 1GB, with a minimum price of 200 JPY per listing. Moreover, the maximum price is 500 JPY per 1GB.
– A 10% selling fee is collected when each transaction is processed.
– Users can also purchase additional data from Mercari for 550 JPY per 1GB.
– Additional data purchased from Mercari cannot be listed.
– After listing mobile data, it is not possible to change the amount of data in the listing. To change the amount of mobile data listed, cancel the listing and then create another listing with the new amount.
– When a user purchases additional data, the base mobile data associated with the user’s 2GB or 20GB service plan will be consumed before the additional data.
– Unused mobile data cannot be carried over to the next month.
– After a user taps the Buy button on the purchase screen, the mobile data purchase cannot be canceled.
■Service plans and basic services
| Contract plans |
| 2GB: 990 yen per month (tax included) 20GB: 2,390 yen per month (tax included) |
| Basic services |
| – Connection provider: Docomo – SIM card type: eSIM – Services provided: Voice call, short message service, and data plan – Phone number: Continue using your current phone number or a newly issued phone number – Supported devices: eSIM-compatible iPhone, Android, and tablet devices – Domestic phone calls: Pay only for what you use, charged at 22 JPY for 30 seconds – Registration fees: 3,300 JPY at start of contract – Payment methods Mercard, Merpay deferred payment |
| Service planned for the future |
| – SIM cards – Data SIM cards – Connections provided by AU – Fixed call rate options – Additional payment methods – Discount programs in line with Mercari’s products |
Note: For detailed information on the services offered, see the following website.
https://mobile.mercari.com (available only in Japanese)
Mercari Group’s mission is to circulate all forms of value to unleash the potential in all people. With the launch of the Mercari Mobile service, Mercari has newly added mobile data as a form of value circulation, allowing it to be converted into other forms of value, such as goods, money, cryptoassets, and NFTs. Through Mercari Mobile, Mercari provides a service that anyone can use easily, offers options for using mobile data that prevents waste, and makes smartphone usage flexible and affordable.