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SoftBank Corp , Japans No.3 mobile carrier, will cut its smartphone charges in Japan with a flat rate for unlimited voice calling and cheaper data plans, in a sign that price competition may be starting to pick up in Japans mobile market. The lower rates, to take effect next month, are similar to reductions this month by rival NTT DoCoMo Inc , Japans largest wireless provider. Regulators have grown increasingly critical of the three dominant carriers, blaming them for high smartphone fees and oligopolistic practices. The authorities complaints came at an awkward time for SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, as he tries to convince U.S. regulators that a proposed acquisition by his Sprint Corp , the No.3 U.S. mobile carrier, of No.4 T-Mobile US Inc would boost competition in the U.S. market, by giving the top two carriers more of a run for their money.