NTT Docomo introduced a usage fee of up to 22,000 yen on its Programa from Recall to The operator adjusted the residual value of the device depending on the type of contract, generating significant differences between number portability (MNP), new contracts and model changes. Essa strategy results in a price discrepancy that can exceed 50,000 yen for customers who choose to exchange devices instead of portability.
The 256 GB iPhone 17e is offered by Docomo for 119,900 yen, higher than the 99,800 yen charged directly by Apple. Após 24 installments, residual value is set at 76,560 yen for number portability and new contracts, but drops to 60,720 yen for model changes. Essa variation in the residual directly impacts the final cost, as the customer does not purchase the device definitively in the program.
Including the 22,000 yen usage fee widens the gap even further. Para number portability, the effective price reaches approximately 22,033 yen, while for model changes it reaches approximately 81,180 yen, considering installments and fees. Clientes who exchange via the operator’s website may have the fee waived, which reduces the impact in some cases.
Differences in costs between portability and model switching
Number portability benefits from additional discounts, including a 5G welcome discount of 43,307 yen. Esse discount, combined with the higher residual value, reduces the monthly cost to close to 1 yen in some configurations. The strategy aims to attract new customers or those migrating from other operators.
Changing models has minimal discounts and a lower residual value. The sum of the utilization rate and the adjusted residual results in a much higher effective cost. Current Clientes and Docomo face this barrier, which can reduce the attractiveness of remaining with the carrier when upgrading the device.
Impact of utilization rate on the program
The new fee of 22,000 yen applies to the use of Programa from Recall to Qualquer Momento, which works as financing with a return option. Para model changes, the exemption only applies to online purchases or when joining specific points programs. Essa measure differentiates sales channels and encourages migrations.
The operator maintains the maximum discount allowed by regulatory guidelines in the case of number portability. The 5G welcome discount caps at 44,000 yen, but the usage fee is applied separately to the next exchange cycle.
Comparison with previous year’s iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e had less pronounced price differences between portability and model switching. The discount for MNP was around 42,570 yen, with a fixed residual value around 66,000 yen for various configurations. The effective cost for portability was 1,210 yen in installments, while for exchange it reached 38,280 yen or more.
With the program revision, the discrepancy increased on the iPhone 17e. The effective difference exceeds 50,000 yen in many scenarios, influenced by the new rate and residual value adjustment. Recent Modelos Android show smaller variations, but the general trend points to higher costs in internal exchanges.
Docomo strategy for customer retention
The introduction of the fee and the differentiation in residual value aim to balance the attraction of new users with the profitability of existing customers. Number portability remains the most advantageous channel, with prices close to those of Apple in some cases. Usuários who migrate operators gain greater incentives.
Current customers can choose to purchase directly from Apple to avoid additional fees. The structure encourages number portability as a way to maximize discounts, but may generate migration to competitors if internal costs remain high.
Docomo adjusted residual values in previous models to align with the new rules. Dispositivos with large price differences, such as premium variants, also reflect similar variations. The operator maintains the program as a financing tool, but with more restrictive conditions for exchanges.