Telephone

Tsukuba Wiki: Know what the locals know...

The following information will help you when buying or selling an NTT telephone line.

Buying NTT line requires some paper work that must be done before you can use it. The following are the steps and time required to complete each one.

1. The old user (NTT line seller) must stop using the line and apply to the NTT office to clear all charges. It takes a minimum of 2 weeks (My seller applied on Sep. 10 and got clearance on Sep. 24 to sell the line).

2. Both parties have to go the NTT office for the transfer. It may take an hour there. The transfer fee is 840 yen. It's better to decide in advance who will pay this fee. The buyer will have to pay extra 2100 yen to start the phone service. This can be paid along with the first monthly charges. You will have to show some identification, such as your alien registration card or your license.

3. After you get the line, it takes about a week for the service to start. (I finished all formalities on September 29 and I was able to start using it on October 5.)

Pay attention to (1) in particular so you don't end up wasting time waiting for the seller to be able to sell the line.