Softbank Mobile said it will reduce the minimum monthly basic fee for Apple's iPhone 3G smartphone from the current 2,990 yen ($27.3) to 2,324 yen ($21.2), effective this week.

The move is apparently designed to counter the latest move by its larger domestic rival Docomo which earlier disclosed plans to launch new low-charge services.

It will be the second time that Softbank Mobile, a phone unit of Softbank, has lowered the minimum monthly basic fee for iPhone users since the company started selling the model in July.

Softbank Mobile is the exclusive carrier for the iPhone in Japan.

Source:Kyodo News