Survey of 500 People on Home Router Fees: 59.4% Say Monthly Cost is 'Mostly as Expected,' but 53.8% Unaware of Remaining Device Debt

ALL CONNECT Co., Ltd. (CEO: Kota Iwai, HQ: Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture), a company involved in telecommunications infrastructure and regional revitalization, conducted a survey through its media outlet, All Connect Magazine (https://all-connect.co.jp/magazine/), targeting 500 men and women who currently use or are considering a home router. The survey investigated their understanding of fees, the gap between expectations and actual payments, and any regrets.

The survey found that when asked about their current monthly home router expenses (including device costs) compared to their initial expectations, 59.4% responded that it was 'mostly as expected,' indicating that many users are not experiencing significant price discrepancies.

However, looking at their understanding before signing the contract, 55.4% said they 'knew the approximate total amount but didn't understand the detailed breakdown,' which was the most common answer. Similarly, for cashback and promotions, 51.8% 'understood the general content but not the detailed conditions.' This reveals that the gap is more likely to be in the 'understanding of mechanisms and conditions' rather than the 'amount paid.'

This survey clarified user perceptions and experiences regarding home router fees, covering service market share, understanding of total monthly costs, key factors in fee consideration, cashback comprehension, understanding of device installments and remaining debt, regrets and unexpected expenses, comparison criteria, and conditions for re-selection.

[Summary of 500-Person Survey on Home Router Fees]

- 'SoftBank Air' is the top choice for use/consideration at 34.8% (WiMAX 29.4%, home 5G 19.6%).
- Pre-contract understanding lacks detail: 55.4% for total monthly cost, 51.8% for cashback, and 53.8% for device installments/debt were the most common 'lacked detailed understanding' responses.
- Actual monthly cost (incl. device) is 'mostly as expected' for 59.4%; a total of 26.2% feel it's higher than expected.
- The most important factor for fees is 'low monthly cost' at 45.6%. Comparisons are mainly based on 'effective monthly cost' (total 44.2%), with only 11.2% using 'advertised monthly cost' alone.
- Top conditions for re-selecting (multiple answers): 'No cancellation fee/cancel anytime' (30.5%) and 'Device for ¥0 + First month for ¥0' (27.5%).
- Regrets/unexpected expenses (multiple answers): 'None in particular' was the top answer at 46.5% (out of 546 responses).

[Survey Overview]

Target Audience

Men and women who use or are considering a home router (e.g., SoftBank Air, WiMAX, home 5G, Rakuten Turbo).

Valid Responses

500

Survey Period

May 2026

Survey Method

Internet survey (CrowdWorks)

Survey Conductor

ALL CONNECT Co., Ltd. (All Connect Magazine)

Public Data (PDF/CSV)

https://all-connect.co.jp/magazine/data/

*Some questions allowed multiple answers, so percentages may not total 100% based on 500 respondents. This is noted where applicable.

What are the most used or considered home routers? How well was the total monthly cost (including device and options) understood before the contract?

When asked about the home router service they currently use or are considering, 'SoftBank Air' came in first at 34.8%. This was followed by 'WiMAX' at 29.4%, 'home 5G' at 19.6%, 'Rakuten Turbo' at 12.2%, and 'Other' at 4.0%.

Service | Percentage
---|---
SoftBank Air | 34.8%
WiMAX | 29.4%
home 5G | 19.6%
Rakuten Turbo | 12.2%
Other | 4.0%

SoftBank Air and WiMAX are the two major players, accounting for a combined 64.2%, with major brands leading the market. home 5G and Rakuten Turbo together make up 31.8%, showing that 5G and Rakuten-based options also have a solid presence.

Next, when asked how well they understood the total monthly payment (including device and options) before signing the contract, 55.4% said they 'knew the approximate total amount but didn't understand the detailed breakdown.' This was followed by 25.4% who 'accurately understood the total amount (including device and options) beforehand,' 13.8% who 'understood the monthly fee but not the device or option costs sufficiently,' 3.2% who 'didn't understand the amount after campaigns and discounts,' and 2.2% who 'signed the contract with little understanding.'

Response | Percentage
---|---
Knew the approximate total, but not the detailed breakdown | 55.4%
Accurately understood the total amount (incl. device/options) | 25.4%
Understood the monthly fee, but not device/option costs | 13.8%
Didn't understand the amount after campaigns/discounts | 3.2%
Signed with little understanding | 2.2%

Only 25.4% claimed to have an 'accurate understanding,' and since the top answers indicate a less than complete comprehension of the breakdown, there is significant room for consumers to delve deeper into the 'breakdown of the total cost' using contracts and fee simulators.

- 'SoftBank Air' is the top choice for use/consideration at 34.8%, forming a duopoly with WiMAX for a combined 64.2%.
- Understanding of total monthly cost: 'Didn't understand the detailed breakdown' is the most common answer at 55.4%, while only 25.4% had an 'accurate understanding.'
- To be safe, it's best to solidify your understanding of device costs, options, and post-discount amounts in a table before signing.

What was the most important factor regarding fees? How well were the details of cashback and promotions understood before the contract?

When asked what they prioritized most regarding fees when choosing a home router, 'low monthly cost' was number one at 45.6%. This was followed by 'smartphone bundle discount amount' (18.6%), 'cashback/promotion amount' (17.8%), 'device being free or cheap' (10.0%), 'low initial/administrative fees' (5.4%), and 'presence of a cancellation fee' (2.6%).

Priority | Percentage
---|---
Low monthly cost | 45.6%
Smartphone bundle discount | 18.6%
Cashback/promotion amount | 17.8%
Device is free or cheap | 10.0%
Low initial/admin fees | 5.4%
Presence of cancellation fee | 2.6%

While low monthly cost is the standout factor, 'smartphone bundle discount' and 'cashback/promotion amount' together account for about 36.4%. Including 'device being free or cheap,' the total reaches about 46.4%, indicating that factors other than the advertised monthly fee carry significant weight, and fee comparison is not just about the simple monthly rate.

Next, regarding their understanding of cashback and promotion details (redemption conditions, timing, amount), 51.8% said they 'understood the general content (amount and timing) but not the detailed conditions.' This was followed by 21.4% who 'knew there was a cashback/promotion but didn't really understand the details,' 15.8% who 'accurately understood everything including redemption conditions, timing, and amount,' 6.2% who 'signed without sufficiently checking the details,' and 4.8% who 'were not really aware of the cashback/promotion's existence.'

Response | Percentage
---|---
Understood general content, but not detailed conditions | 51.8%
Knew about it, but didn't understand details | 21.4%
Accurately understood all conditions, timing, and amount | 15.8%
Signed without checking details | 6.2%
Wasn't really aware of its existence | 4.8%

Only 15.8% had an 'accurate understanding,' making those who delved into redemption conditions and forfeiture patterns a minority. This suggests that while users prioritize low monthly costs, their understanding of promotional conditions tends to be superficial.

- Top fee priority is 'low monthly cost' at 45.6%, but bundle discounts, cashback, and device costs also matter.
- Cashback understanding: 'Didn't grasp the detailed conditions' is the top answer at 51.8%; only 15.8% 'accurately understood.'
- To avoid mistakes, it's effective to create a written checklist of redemption conditions, timing, and eligible plans.

How did the actual monthly payment compare to initial expectations? Was the mechanism of device installment payments and remaining debt correctly understood before the contract?

When asked how their current monthly home router payment (including device) compared to their initial expectations, 59.4% said it was 'mostly as expected.' This was followed by 24.4% who said it was 'slightly higher than expected,' 12.2% 'slightly lower than expected,' 2.2% 'much lower than expected,' and 1.8% 'much higher than expected.'

Response | Percentage
---|---
Mostly as expected | 59.4%
Slightly higher than expected | 24.4%
Slightly lower than expected | 12.2%
Much lower than expected | 2.2%
Much higher than expected | 1.8%

While a combined 26.2% ('slightly higher' + 'much higher') felt they were paying more than expected, nearly 60% found it 'mostly as expected,' indicating that extreme billing surprises are not the norm.

Next, regarding their understanding of the device cost (installments/remaining debt) mechanism, 53.8% said they 'understood the general mechanism but not the detailed conditions.' This was followed by 17.0% who 'knew it was an installment plan but didn't fully understand the remaining debt,' 16.4% who 'accurately understood the installment mechanism and conditions for remaining debt,' 8.0% who 'knew there was a device cost but understood little of the mechanism,' and 4.8% who 'signed without checking the mechanism carefully.'

Response | Percentage
---|---
Understood general mechanism, but not detailed conditions | 53.8%
Knew it was installments, but didn't understand remaining debt | 17.0%
Accurately understood installment mechanism and debt conditions | 16.4%
Knew there was a cost, but understood little of the mechanism | 8.0%
Signed without checking the mechanism | 4.8%

While the perceived monthly cost is generally within expectations, understanding of device-related matters is superficial for the majority. To avoid being hindered by remaining debt when canceling or changing models, it's wise to confirm the number of installments, the progression of the remaining balance, and its relationship with cancellation fees at the time of contract.

- Actual monthly cost is 'mostly as expected' for 59.4%; a total of 26.2% feel it's higher than expected.
- Device installments/debt: 'Didn't grasp the detailed conditions' is the top answer at 53.8%; only 16.4% 'accurately understood.'
- As this survey shows, the gap is more in the 'understanding of mechanisms and conditions' than in the 'perceived payment amount'—calculating remaining debt before canceling or switching can prevent mistakes.

Are there any 'regrets or unexpected expenses' regarding fees? Did you compare using 'effective monthly cost including cashback' or just the 'advertised monthly cost'?

When asked if they had experienced any 'regrets or unexpected expenses' regarding home router fees (multiple answers allowed), 'None in particular' was the top answer at 46.5%. This was followed by 'monthly fee increased midway' (14.8%), 'remaining device debt was higher than expected' (13.4%), 'couldn't cancel due to high cancellation fee' (9.3%), 'was charged for options I didn't notice' (9.0%), and 'couldn't receive cashback' (7.0%).

*This question allowed multiple answers, and percentages are based on a total of 546 response slots.

Issue (Multiple Answers) | Percentage
---|---
None in particular | 46.5%
Monthly fee increased midway | 14.8%
Remaining device debt higher than expected | 13.4%
Couldn't cancel due to high cancellation fee | 9.3%
Charged for unnoticed options | 9.0%
Couldn't receive cashback | 7.0%

While 'None in particular' is the most common response, specific regrets like fee changes, remaining debt, cancellation fees, options, and failed cashback redemptions appear at notable rates. All of these are troubles that can often be prevented by understanding the contract terms and checking billing statements.

Next, when asked whether they compared home routers using the 'effective monthly cost including cashback' or just the 'advertised monthly cost,' 22.4% said they 'compared using the 'effective monthly cost' including cashback and discounts.' This was followed by 21.8% who 'mainly compared using 'effective monthly cost' but also referenced the 'advertised monthly cost,'' 16.0% who 'chose without paying much attention to either,' 15.4% who 'looked at both 'effective' and 'advertised' costs equally,' 13.2% who 'mainly compared using 'advertised monthly cost' but checked the 'effective' cost a little,' and 11.2% who 'compared using only the 'advertised monthly cost.''

Response | Percentage
---|---
Compared using 'effective monthly cost' including cashback/discounts | 22.4%
Mainly used 'effective monthly cost' but also referenced 'advertised' | 21.8%
Didn't pay much attention to either | 16.0%
Looked at both 'effective' and 'advertised' costs equally | 15.4%
Mainly used 'advertised monthly cost' but checked 'effective' a little | 13.2%
Compared using only 'advertised monthly cost' | 11.2%

Responses focusing on 'effective monthly cost' (22.4% + 21.8%) total 44.2%, but the 11.2% who used 'only the advertised monthly cost' and the 16.0% who 'didn't pay much attention' cannot be ignored. The data suggests that a certain number of people risk choosing a plan with an ambiguous comparison basis.

- Regrets/unexpected expenses (multiple answers): 'None in particular' is #1 at 46.5%, followed by fee increases, remaining debt, cancellation fees, options, and failed cashback.
- Comparison basis: 'Effective monthly cost' is primary for a total of 44.2%, while 'advertised monthly cost only' is 11.2%.
- To reduce mistakes, it's recommended to create your own comparison table of effective total costs over the same period and under the same assumptions (discount months, cashback conditions).

If you were to choose a home router again, what conditions would make you 'sign up without hesitation'?