Line Mobile

Line Mobile was launched in Japan in September 2016 by LINE MOBILE Corporation, a subsidiary of Line Corporation. It initially operates on the NTT DoCoMo network. In Japan, Line Mobile offers plans including free access to LINE application and social network services.

In January 2018, it is announced that LINE Corporation and Softbank Corp had agreed a partnership for Line Mobile. As a result of the partnership, Softbank will hold 51% stake in Line Mobile Corporation.{{cite web|url=https://linecorp.com/ja/pr/news/en/2018/2096|title=[Japan]LINE MOBILE and SoftBank Execute a Capital Alliance and Partnership to Further Grow the LINE MOBILE MVNO Business - LINE Corporation - ニュース|website=LINE Corporation}} Line Mobile added Softbank network to its service starting July 2018.

Line Mobile operates in Thailand as a sub-licensing brand on the traditional mobile operator dtac, as its agreement with Line Mobile Thailand is limited to brand licensing.{{cite web|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Line-s-Thai-mobile-services-challenged-by-top-local-carriers|title=Line's Thai mobile services challenged by top local carriers|website=Nikkei Asian Review}} The setup, which is similar to Virgin Mobile's MVNO licensing setup was challenged by telecom consultants,{{cite web|url=http://www.yozzo.com/news/mvna-mvne-mvno/whose-line-is-it/|title=Whose LINE is it?|website=Yozzo.com}} and the network operators, Advanced Info Service and TrueMove, for setting up a MVNO, without a MVNO license, to avoid paying regulatory fees.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), decided Line Mobile would not have to apply for a license under the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) scheme, despite being classified as a MVNO in Japan and Taiwan. However, in its resolution, the NBTC board will keep monitoring Line Mobile and ordered it to amend its online registration system as it violates existing regulations, which require registration to be done at a service point in person with an ID card. The NBTC also ordered Line Mobile to improve awareness of the product's features and ownership to its customers, many of whom may lack of essential information about the service, said NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith. "Line Mobile must strictly adhere to the order of the NBTC board, or face punishment by the regulator," Mr Takorn said.{{cite web|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/tech/local-news/1365207/nbtc-lets-line-mobile-off-the-hook-for-mvno-licence|title=NBTC lets Line Mobile off the hook for MVNO licence|website=bangkokpost.com}}

On September 16, 2019 Line Mobile Thailand, announced it would be renamed to Finn Mobile.{{cite web|title=LINE MOBILE is now FINN MOBILE|url=https://support.th.linemobile.com/hc/en-us/articles/360035653133-LINE-MOBILE-is-now-FINN-MOBILE|website=Support.th.linemobile.com}}

Dtac has yet provided any public information about the number of subscribers of Finn Mobile, since its launch a year ago. However, the app needed to use the service, has 50,000+ downloads on Google Play,{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=FINN MOBILE|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.finnmobile|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=play.google.com}} and a rating of 4.6 (out of five) based on 5,200 ratings on Apples App store, as of September 2020.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=FINN MOBILE|url=https://apps.apple.com/th/app/finn-mobile/id1478081191|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=itunes.apple.com}}

Line Mobile operates in Taiwan as an MVNO services operates on the FarEasTone network. Line Mobile offers cheaper broadband plans with throttled speed, as well as standard 4G speed in regular price.{{cite web|url=https://linecorp.com/zh-hant/pr/news/zh-hant/2018/2166|title=【LINE MOBILE】LINE與遠傳電信攜手打造一站式電信服務 簡單辦、輕鬆賺 LINE MOBILE隆重登台！ - LINE Corporation - 新聞|website=LINE Corporation}}

On 19 April 2021, Line Mobile in Taiwan was merged into FarEasTone network due to contract expiration. {{cite news |title=即將併入遠傳！LINE Mobile 推最後一次感恩季優惠 - 自由電子報 3C科技 |url=https://3c.ltn.com.tw/news/43871 |access-date=25 August 2022 |work=自由時報電子報 |date=7 April 2021}}

{{LY Corporation}}

{{Naver}}

{{Japanese mobile phone companies}}

Category:Naver Corporation

Category:Mobile phone companies of Japan