NTT Docomo Inc. unveiled a new budget smartphone plan that is considerably cheaper than those of its chief rivals on Thursday as Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga¡¯s government relentlessly prods telecom giants to slash costs as many struggle to make ends meet during the pandemic.

Japan¡¯s largest mobile phone carrier by number of subscribers said it will launch a new monthly plan that will cost ?2,980 for 20GB of data and free domestic calls that last five minutes or less, the cheapest plan among the nation¡¯s three major carriers.

NTT Docomo President Motoyuki Ii said Docomo is targeting young users, a demographic with whom the carrier has been losing ground, with the new offer.