Before a move or cancellation, mysterious network boxes suddenly multiply: an Optical BB Unit, an ONU, power adapters, Ethernet cables, a thin telephone-style cable, and a small white wall box marked “光” (“optical”).
The tempting question is: “Can I just send all of this to SoftBank?”
Usually, no. SoftBank rental equipment and NTT East/West rental equipment can follow different return routes, while the wall-mounted optical outlet is not a device you mail back. [1][2][3]
1. Quick answer: sort into SoftBank, NTT, and wall equipment
For a standard SoftBank Hikari customer renting an Optical BB Unit, SoftBank lists four basic return items: the BB Unit, power adapter, Ethernet cable, and modular cable. [1][2]
NTT-logo ONUs, home gateways and VDSL devices use a separate NTT recovery kit. The wall-mounted optical outlet normally stays where it is. [1][2][3]
The useful first step is not packing. It is identifying who supplied each item.
2. What is an ONU, and what is the white “optical” box?
ONU means Optical Network Unit. NTT West describes it as an in-home device that converts the optical signal on a fiber line into a digital signal. [4]
A common layout is:
outside fiber → optical outlet → ONU → router / Optical BB Unit → computers and phones [3]
The wall-side box marked “光” is usually an optical outlet: the connection point between the fiber line and the ONU or home gateway. It can be integrated into a wall plate or appear as a separate small white box. [3]
If it is fixed to the wall, marked as optical, and a thin fiber cord runs from it to another powered device, it is probably the outlet rather than the ONU. NTT West’s cancellation guide likewise treats the outlet as a point from which equipment is disconnected, not as a device to remove and ship. [5]
3. Where does the ONU go? Do not decide from the word “ONU” alone
An NTT-logo ONU used with standard SoftBank Hikari is commonly NTT rental equipment, and SoftBank directs NTT-logo devices to the separate recovery kit. [1][2]
However, SoftBank Hikari Plus and 10-gigabit configurations can include 2G-ONU/10G-ONU equipment supplied by SoftBank. [2][6]
So use this rule:
Choose the return route by logo, contract, and supplier — not by the product category “ONU.”
SoftBank says the NTT recovery kit is generally sent about one week to ten days after cancellation is accepted; if an on-site removal visit is required, the technician may collect the NTT equipment. [1][2]
4. Moving, cancelling, and changing providers are different cases
If you cancel, SoftBank and NTT equipment follow their respective return routes, and returning hardware alone does not cancel the service. [1][2]
For a normal SoftBank Hikari move, the current FAQ says to complete the moving procedure and take the BB Unit to the new address instead of returning it. [7]
As of September 16, 2026, SoftBank Hikari 10 Gigabit / SoftBank Hikari Plus does not use the ordinary moving procedure; the current guidance is cancellation plus a new application, so the BB Unit is returned. [7]
When changing to another optical-collaboration provider, SoftBank says NTT-logo equipment continues to be used and is not returned. [1]
5. Five-minute packing check
- Leave the wall optical outlet out of the return pile.
- Check the logo on every powered box.
- Pair each power adapter with its device and check model labels. [1]
- Separate Ethernet and modular cables; both belong to the standard BB Unit return set. [1]
- Make separate SoftBank and NTT piles.
- Do not mix personal property into the return. [2]
- Keep the shipping receipt until the return is confirmed. [1]
Under the current guidance, ordinary SoftBank equipment returns are shipped at the customer’s expense, while NTT-logo equipment uses the label supplied in the recovery kit. [1]
6. Summary
- Standard Optical BB Unit rental: unit + power adapter + Ethernet + modular cable. [1]
- NTT-logo ONU/HGW/VDSL: NTT recovery kit. [1][2]
- White wall box marked “光”: optical outlet; normally leave it installed. [3][5]
- 10-gigabit / SoftBank Hikari Plus: a SoftBank-supplied ONU may exist, so check the contract-specific list. [2][6]
- Standard SoftBank Hikari move: take the BB Unit with you. [7]
- Provider change to another optical-collaboration service: NTT equipment may stay in use. [1]
You may begin with “What is an ONU?” and end up understanding the whole structure of a home fiber connection.
Moving is unexpectedly educational. Ideally, finish the lesson before sealing the box.
Sources
- SoftBank, 「サービス変更／解約／機器不具合による交換に伴う、機器の返却方法を教えてください。」 Checked 2026-09-16 softbank.jp
- SoftBank, 「サービス変更や解約をした場合、利用しなくなった接続機器はどうしたらいいですか？」 Checked 2026-09-16 softbank.jp
- NTT東日本, 「フレッツ光 開通工事の流れ（集合住宅向け）」— 光コンセントとONUの接続説明。 Checked 2026-09-16 flets.com
- NTT西日本, 「『ONU（光回線終端装置）』について知りたい。」公開 2026-05-29. Checked 2026-09-16 qa.flets-w.com
- NTT西日本, 「フレッツ光のご解約手続きを行ったお客さま向け CUTツールご利用ガイド」— 光コンセントがある場合の機器回収手順。 Checked 2026-09-16 flets-w.com
- SoftBank, 「SoftBankに返却が必要な機器の返却方法を教えてください。［SoftBank 光／SoftBank 光＋／SoftBank Air］」 Checked 2026-09-16 softbank.jp
- SoftBank, 「引っ越しの際に、BBユニットは返却が必要ですか？」 Checked 2026-09-16 softbank.jp
