Line Mobile - Finn Mobile (stylised as Line Mobile - Finn Mobile) is a division by
Line Corporation
Line Corporation is a Tokyo-based subsidiary of Z Holdings, which is jointly owned by Softbank Group and Naver Corporation. The company's business is mainly associated with the development of mobile applications and Internet services, particul ...
operates
mobile virtual network operator
A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) is a wireless communications services provider that does not own the wireless network infrastructure over which it provides services to its customers. An MVNO enters into a business agreement with a mobile ...
service in Japan and Taiwan, while in Thailand it operates as a light MVNO service provide ( MVNO network structure By DTAC ( DTN ) r. Unlike
LINE
Line most often refers to:
* Line (geometry), object with zero thickness and curvature that stretches to infinity
* Telephone line, a single-user circuit on a telephone communication system
Line, lines, The Line, or LINE may also refer to:
Art ...
's other service LINE Out (which operates as a paid VoIP service), Finn Mobile
offers SIM card plans.
History
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
is a Japanese multinational conglomerate holding company headquartered in Minato, Tokyo which focuses on investment management. The Group primarily invests in companies operating in technology, energy, and financial sectors. It also runs the ...
had agreed a partnership for Line Mobile. As a result of the partnership, Softbank will hold 51% stake in Line Mobile Corporation. Line Mobile added Softbank network to its service starting July 2018.
International operations
Thailand
Line Mobile operates in Thailand as a sub-licensing brand on the traditional mobile operator
dtac
Total Access Communication Public Company Limited, commonly known as DTAC is a GSM mobile phone company in Thailand. It is the nation's third largest GSM phone company, after AIS and True. DTAC is owned by Norwegian company Telenor both direct ...
, as its agreement with Line Mobile Thailand is limited to brand licensing. The setup, which is similar to Virgin Mobile's MVNO licensing setup was challenged by telecom consultants, and the network operators,
Advanced Info Service
Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS) is Thailand's largest GSM mobile phone operator with 39.87 million customers as of Q3 2016. Founded in April 1985, AIS started off as a computer rental business. In October 1990, it launched an ...
and
TrueMove
TrueMove H is a mobile telecommunication operator provided by Real Move Co., Ltd. and True Move H Universal Communication Co., Ltd. (formerly Real Future Co., Ltd.), subsidiaries of True-D. It is the second largest operator in Thailand.
Real Mov ...
, for setting up a MVNO, without a MVNO license, to avoid paying regulatory fees.
The
(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.
On September 16, 2019 Line Mobile Thailand, announced it would be renamed to Finn Mobile.
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, and a rating of 4.6 (out of five) based on 5,200 ratings on Apples App store, as of September 2020.
Taiwan
Line Mobile operates in Taiwan as an MVNO services operates on the
FarEasTone
Far EasTone Telecommunications (Far EasTone/FET; ) is a telecommunications company based in Taiwan. It is the third largest behind Chunghwa Telecom and Taiwan Mobile.
History
Far EasTone was founded in October 1996 by the Far Eastern Group, in a ...
network. Line Mobile offers cheaper broadband plans with throttled speed, as well as standard 4G speed in regular price.
On 19 April 2021, Line Mobile in Taiwan was merged into FarEasTone network due to contract expiration.
References
{{Japanese mobile phone companies
Naver Corporation
Mobile phone companies of Japan