Lessons from a Share House Operator Who Has Installed Over 30 Fiber Optic Lines: How to Choose Corporate Internet Without Fail—What Are Your Criteria?

■ Introduction | Do you know the "secrets" of internet contracts?

Don't you find yourself signing up for internet contracts based on vague sales pitches like these?

After actually signing the contract, haven't you often thought,
“This is completely different from what they told me!”
Even if you want to switch to a different provider, the cancellation fees become a major hurdle...

To avoid this, it is always better to have at least some basic knowledge of how to choose an internet line and understand the equipment configuration.

In my experience operating share houses, I have contracted and installed over 30 fiber optic lines. I will share the“secrets to avoiding failure” (key points) that I have learned from that real-world experience.

※This article is based on my own experience and is not sponsored in any way.※

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■ How to search | The starting point for gathering information

✅ First, I always search using these keywords:

Internet contracts are more cost-effective with cashback offers.I look for the latest cashback information at the time while comparing different companies.
In the past, electronics retailers offered better benefits, but I still feel that online applications, which have fewer intermediate costs, are more generous.

✅ When searching, I focus on the following 3 types of sites👇

• Official websites of each company (e.g., USEN Hikari, NURO Hikari, FLET'S, etc.)

• Comparison sites (e.g., Kakaku.com)

• Major internet agency campaign pages (which have unique benefits)

🔍 The points to check at this stage are the following 4 items

◻︎ Cashback amount and application conditions
◻︎ How to receive the cashback
◻︎ Contract period and conditions for early cancellation
◻︎ Whether construction is required (if the property already has a fiber optic outlet, you can save 20,000–30,000 yen in initial construction costs by opting for non-dispatch installation!) ← They won't tell you this unless you ask

By the way, the generosity of cashback offers is also heavily influenced by seasonal factors.

For example, the moving season. Since there is an increase in line cancellations and new contracts due to moving, line providers are also putting in more effort. Incentives for sales agencies are likely more generous as well.

Along with that, cashback amounts also tend to become higher.

Also, although it happens irregularly, there are times when line providers want to acquire a large number of contracts due to their management policies.

Keeping the above points in mind, always check the latest information online to find a cost-effective line☝️

■ Carefully compare and consider the "risks" as well | Getting this wrong will lead to regret

💸 While the "amount" of cashback is important, "certainty" is vital. Many people are attracted to appealing high-value cashback offers (over 100,000 yen), but they can sometimes be traps.

• Required enrollment in unnecessary, mysterious options

• Cashback application is 12 months later

• Notification limited to email, and if you miss it, you cannot receive it

• Document submission or bank account registration is troublesome

⚫︎ [My personal recommendation] I have been signing up for USEN Hikari recently.

The cashback is as follows:

• ✅ 50,000 yen cashback after 3 months

• ✅ No unnecessary option enrollment at all

• ✅ Cashback receipt notification arrives via SMS (hard to miss)

• ✅ Can be received immediately at convenience store ATMs using the code displayed via the URL in the SMS

"Whether you can definitely receive it, rather than the high amount" This is the most important criterion for choosing a line.

⚫︎ [Something like this happened] The collapse of the spec myth | Does "10Gbps contract = high speed" not hold true?

Actually, a few days ago, I applied for a corporate 10Gbps plan from USEN Hikari.

This is a separate article, but it's because I am preparing a new share house in Kami-Jujo, Kita Ward.

《Record of Kami-Jujo Share House Preparation》

Until now, I haven't been that particular about high-speed lines and have just used standard optical line contracts, but this time

I want to experience the true power of high-speed communication!!
so I decided to try a high-speed communication plan.

However, during my interaction with the USEN operator while signing up, there was a "concerning exchange".

I felt something was off at this point. Because there is no way it makes sense to rent out a router with specs capable of keeping up with 10Gbps for a mere 500 yen a month...

【Market price for routers with 10Gbps-capable specs】

• Budget models: 20,000 to 30,000 yen range

• Standard models: 30,000 to 50,000 yen range

• High-end models: 50,000 yen or more

So, when I asked, “Could you tell me the router model number?”, I was put on hold while they checked, and this is what I was told a few hours later👇

《U SPOT02 | USEN Wi-Fi Product Information》

Please ignore the information that looks like benefits written here. And these are the specs I confirmed

• WAN port: Max 1Gbps

• LAN port: Max 1Gbps

• Wi-Fi: Max 1.2Gbps (Wi-Fi 6)

In other words, even with a 10Gbps contract, the configuration was such that the router would effectively be capped at 1Gbps.

“Even if you call it a dedicated router, it doesn't have the specs to match the plan, does it?”
When I asked this, the operator admitted,
“...Strictly speaking, that is correct.”
😮‍💨

⚫︎ Conclusion based on experience: It is best to “purchase your own” router 👍

Anticipating things like this, I purchase routers for my company every time. This time, too, I will provide the router myself, so I am only applying for the line contract without renting one.

By the way, here is the router I am considering for this 10Gbps line:

This is a high-performance router that keeps the internet from slowing down even when many people use Wi-Fi at the same time. It supports the latest “Wi-Fi 7,” allowing for smooth video streaming, remote meetings, and data transfers.

This router is built to fully utilize a very fast 10-gigabit internet line. While ordinary routers sometimes cannot handle such speeds, this model has no issues.

It is designed so that many people can use Wi-Fi simultaneously in offices, shops, or share houses, and it also has robust security. It is also designed to be easy to set up and manage.

■ Creating a decision-making framework to avoid confusion

I never sign up based solely on online slogans, and I don't make immediate decisions based only on an operator's sales pitch. The reason is:

• Terms and conditions are sometimes written in very small print where they are hard to see

• If you don't ask the operator to confirm, the contract proceeds without you knowing important points (such as contract lock-in periods)

Therefore, I have organized my steps for signing up for internet services below.

🏃‍♂️‍➡️ My contract steps

1. Search for plans that suit you using keywords

2. Compare conditions, prices, and cashback offers

3. Organize and always confirm options, lock-in periods, and construction conditions

4. Consider the equipment configuration, including the router, and apply only after it is somewhat clear

Following these steps will definitely reduce mistakes where you “realize your failure later.”

■ Aside | Lines that are strong in emergencies, and lines that are an absolute no-go

🛰️ Currently considering for future introduction: Starlink

• Since it uses satellite radio communication, you can rest easy even if fiber optic or mobile lines are unavailable during emergencies (there are over 8,000 satellites in orbit). Perhaps it's the ultimate solution when combined with an emergency generator.

• No line installation required, allowing for an immediate start.

• Disadvantages: There is a possibility of being affected by the surrounding environment or natural conditions, such as antenna placement, orientation, or weather.

💡 On balance, this might be a very strong contender for the "internet of the future."

🙅 A type of connection I absolutely do not recommend in Tokyo (and individuals should definitely avoid it too).

That would be the “plug-and-play home router” like docomo home5G or SoftBank Air.

The reasons are:

• In reality, they are mobile lines just like cell phones, so the communication network is extremely congested.

• In central Tokyo and near stations, severe slowdowns at night have become the norm (and the population is exploding even further due to inbound tourism).

• There are many voices on social media and in reviews saying, "It becomes useless at night."

No matter how convenient it is, it's pointless if you sacrifice "stability." In Tokyo, you should always set up a fixed fiber optic line with a router.
I regret installing one at my Shibuya office. 🥲

■ Summary | Above all, "ask and confirm" everything

Internet service providers spare no “sales effort” to secure contracts, changing their tactics and products while occasionally receiving reprimands from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Even if it says 10Gbps, it doesn't necessarily mean you can
“fully utilize” that 10Gbps. You just have to accept that this is the way of the internet service industry.

【Remember just this🤚】

What criteria do you use to choose your internet line?
If you liked this article, it would encourage me if you could give it a “Like”! Also, if you have any other recommended information regarding internet contracts, I would be happy if you could leave a
“comment”!

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