Rakuten Mobile vs NTT docomo: which is better? Comparison 2026
By our public methodology Rakuten Mobile scores 80 out of 100 and NTT docomo scores 51. Below: the factors and facts where they differ, each fact with its source.
Score breakdown
| Rakuten Mobile | NTT docomo | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | 75 | 75 |
| Cost | 100 | 16 |
| Service | 67 | 50 |
| Transparency | 67 | 67 |
Pros and cons
Rakuten Mobile
- Reference tariff among the cheapest in the country
- Listed by the telecom regulator
- Commercial 5G for consumers
- Runs its own radio network
NTT docomo
- Listed by the telecom regulator
- Commercial 5G for consumers
- Runs its own radio network
- Offers eSIM to new customers
- Reference tariff well above the cheapest in the country
Facts side by side
| Fact | Rakuten Mobile | NTT docomo |
|---|---|---|
| Listed by the regulator | Yes soumu.go.jp | Yes soumu.go.jp |
| Own radio network | Yes network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | Yes docomo.ne.jp |
| Commercial 5G | Yes network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | Yes docomo.ne.jp |
| Price index (100 = cheapest in the country) | 100 network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | 268 docomo.ne.jp |
| Commercial 4G | Yes network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | Yes docomo.ne.jp |
| eSIM | Yes network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | Yes docomo.ne.jp |
| International roaming | Yes network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | Yes docomo.ne.jp |
| Self-care app | Yes network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | Not verified |
| Tariff terms published | Yes network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | Yes docomo.ne.jp |