I'm setting up Softbank Hikari in my apartment in Japan and they're telling me I need paid construction (工事) before I can get internet. The fee is around ¥26,000–30,000.
When I plug my laptop into the outside line port with an ethernet cable, the port lights up immediately. The link light is on.
If the cable is already physically there and showing signal, what exactly is the construction fee paying for? Is it just a technician coming to configure PPPoE on a router? Because that feels like a lot of money for something I could do myself.
They also said self-installation (自己工事) is not possible for my unit, but I can clearly see the port is live. Does "not possible" just mean the line isn't patched into the building's fiber distribution box yet, even though the copper wiring runs to my wall?
Has anyone dealt with this? Is there any way to confirm whether the line is actually ready before paying for construction, or is this just unavoidable in Japan?
by Tiny_Dog9177