Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket
Look Out Amazon, Here Comes...Rakuten?
Japanese e-commerce firm Rakuten announced on Tuesday it is acquiring Ebates for $1 billion.
The acquisition, which Rakuten hinted at last week, is part of the Japanese company’s push to grow its base beyond its domestic market and hopefully, become a global player. Having made some $1.2 billion acquisitions to date along these lines, this is Rakuten’s most ambitious move to date.
However, investors are dubious that the company can absorb yet another foreign acquisition, much less one the size of Ebates, despite Rakuten’s strong cash position.
Then there is the ever-present Amazon, which dominates the e-commerce market in the U.S. Few believe it will falter in the face of Chinese giant Alibaba, much less a Rakuten-Ebates combo.
Rakuten Goes Forth
Not surprisingly, Rakuten says it is undaunted. For starters, it has assembled a very interesting mix of acquisitions. There is messaging app Viber, which it purchased for $900 million in February, the Canadian ebook offering Kobo, Spanish video service Wuaki.tv, Viki, a digital content platform and Buy.com.
Now it has picked up Ebates.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikamorphy/2014/09/...ere-comes-rakuten/
- Improving the mobile business’s financial performance.
- Leveraging free cash flow generated from the Internet Services segment.
- Utilizing cash flow generated from the FinTech segment.
The company maintains financial stability through a disciplined financial policy
Features of RMS AI Assistant (Beta) include:
Product description generation: Automatically creating compelling product descriptions.
Product image processing: Enhancing product images.
Text generation for user inquiries: Crafting responses to customer queries.
Data analysis of sales trends: Helping merchants make informed decisions.
AI chatbot for store operations: Assisting with common questions.
By leveraging these AI features, merchants on Rakuten Ichiba can enhance efficiency and reduce workload hours.
AI-nization: Rakuten is actively driving the use of AI across its entire business.
For Rakuten Ichiba, this means improving the customer shopping experience through AI while simultaneously empowering merchants and realizing operational efficiencies.
The goal is to strengthen connections with customers and drive better results.
In summary, Rakuten Ichiba is embracing AI to enhance its platform, benefitting both shoppers and merchants. If you’re a merchant on Rakuten, these AI tools could significantly improve your business operations!
May 05, 2024
In this video, I'll guide you through the process of transferring your Docomo carrier to Rakuten Mobile without needing an MNP (Mobile Number Portability) reservation number. Whether you're looking to switch carriers or simply want to explore your options, this step-by-step tutorial will make the transition smooth and hassle-free. From understanding the requirements to completing the transfer, I've got you covered with all the essential information. Watch now and make your move to Rakuten Mobile seamlessly!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhth2eGizDc
Here’s a breakdown of the most popular messaging services by active monthly users:
Rank§Messaging Service Number of Active Monthly Users
1 WhatsApp§2.4 billion
2§Facebook Messenger 2.1 billion
3 WeChat§1.2 billion
4 Viber§823 million
5 Telegram§500 million
6 Snapchat§347 million
7 LINE§178 million
8 Discord§170 million
9 QQ§57 million
10 KakaoTalk§49 million
11 Signal§40 million
https://explodingtopics.com/blog/messaging-apps-stats
Feb 6, 2024
In 2023, global retail e-commerce sales reached an estimated 5.8 trillion U.S. dollars. Projections indicate a 39 percent growth in this figure over the coming years, with expectations to surpass eight trillion dollars by 2027.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/379046/...etail-e-commerce-sales/
Mickey Mikitani, the CEO of Rakuten, speaks to CNBC’s Arjun Kharpal at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
TUE, FEB 27 20248:53 AM EST
https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/02/27/...bile-business-this-year.html
4 days ago
Continuing its dominant run as the telco industry’s buzziest topic, AI was a key theme throughout Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona. Throughout the four-day event, Rakuten’s booth was a hub for AI discussions, demos and forward-looking insights. Headlining the company’s booth theater on Day 3 was a special AI Showcase featuring three experts from Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Symphony and the Rakuten Group, who came together to share their unique perspectives on today’s most transformative technology.
In a panel session moderated by Appledore Research’s Robert Curran, Rahul Atri, OSS BU president at Rakuten Symphony; Madhukiran Medithe, Chief data and AI officer at Rakuten Mobile; and Ting Cai, Chief Data Officer at Rakuten Group explored the impact of AI in revolutionizing operations in telco and enhancing customer experience.
Born from a mission to share Rakuten Mobile’s pioneering mobile network technology with telecom operators worldwide, Rakuten Symphony is an industry leader in telco automation and AI. And through its unique embrace of virtualization, Rakuten Mobile has offered a perfect playground to apply AI.
From a Rakuten Group perspective, mentions Cai, the company is on a mission of AI-nization, leveraging AI as much as possible across the Rakuten Ecosystem to empower clients, partners and employees.
https://rakuten.today/blog/...-ai-approach-at-mwc-barcelona-2024.html
Platinum Band Allocation:
The 700 MHz band, also known as the “platinum band,” was allocated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on October 23, 20231.
This band has unique properties, allowing it to maintain a strong signal even in the presence of obstacles like buildings or indoors.
Deployment and Technology:
Rakuten Mobile will deploy base stations using mobile network radios developed by Nokia Solutions & Networks G.K. in the 700 MHz platinum band.
These Nokia mobile network radios are small, lightweight, and energy-efficient.
Leveraging its expertise in building the world’s first fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network compatible with Open RAN, Rakuten Mobile aims to promptly start operating base stations in this band.
By using a next-generation Distributed Unit (DU) developed by its subsidiary Rakuten Symphony, Rakuten Mobile can easily deploy the radio in its virtualized, Open RAN network.
The newly deployed antennas compatible with both the 1.7 GHz band and the 700 MHz band will coexist alongside existing 1.7 GHz radios, allowing for prompt operation through software updates.
Benefits and Customer Satisfaction:
Rakuten Mobile aims to realize a high-quality mobile network by optimally combining the allocated 700 MHz platinum band with its existing 4G and 5G frequency bands and roaming.
The deployment will start in urban areas with high user volume and traffic.
Rakuten Symphony will collaborate with Nokia to provide these radios to customers in select markets worldwide.
In summary, Rakuten Mobile’s deployment of the platinum band aims to enhance network capacity, improve user experience (especially indoors), and provide cost-effective services across Japan.
- Trial with eBay enables cross-border sales from Japan to the US and overseas
Tokyo, May 8, 2024 - Rakuten Group, Inc. today announced that its community-powered marketplace app Rakuten Rakuma has started listing products on eBay from select Rakuma Official Shops on a trial basis. Users of eBay.com will now be able to purchase a variety of re-use items listed on Rakuma Official Shops starting today.
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2024/...&category=corp
E5G for Enterprises: Navigating the Journey from Hype to Reality
01.04.2024
Join James Dartnell, Director, Corporate Communications, EMEA at Rakuten Symphony as he sits down with Mahesh Kasar, Vice President of Sales, APAC for Rakuten Symphony and Dr Tomek Gerszberg, Group Head of Future Networks for Axiata as they discuss the potential for enterprise 5G in an insightful discussion at the Rakuten Booth Theater.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M90rnFZ60dA&t=87s
The RAN intelligent controller market size is anticipated to grow from USD 349.45 Million in 2023 to USD 37,005.94 Million in 10 years: The market ought to witness a positive growth rate owing to increasing penetration of 5G technology across the globe.
May 07, 2024 06:30 ET| Source: The Brainy Insights
Key Companies Profiled: Broadcom, Fujitsu, Cisco Systems, Inc., Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Juniper Networks, Inc., Intel Corporation, Mavenir, Nokia, NEC Corporation, Parallel Wireless, and Rakuten Symphony Singapore Pte. Ltd.
https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/...gent-controller-market
- Accelerating indoor mobile network development by utilizing infrastructure sharing
Tokyo, May 9, 2024 - Rakuten Mobile, Inc. and JTOWER Inc. announced today that Rakuten Mobile has adopted JTOWER’s indoor infrastructure sharing solutions for its network in more than 100 facilities and buildings across Japan.
JTOWER’s infrastructure sharing solutions enable mobile carriers to build out their networks in a shorter period of time and with lower costs than if they were to set up their own facilities. Rakuten Mobile is utilizing these solutions inside shopping facilities, office buildings and other indoor locations.
Rakuten Mobile started using JTOWER's solutions in January 2020 and the number of installations has continued to expand. In October 2021, JTOWER and Rakuten Mobile formed a capital alliance and have been strengthening their collaboration centered on shared infrastructure usage.
JTOWER and Rakuten Mobile are committed to continuing to strengthen their collaboration and promote network development utilizing infrastructure sharing in order to provide best-in-class mobile services.
https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/press/2024/0509_01/
The Philippine Star
April 2, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Rakuten Viber, the leading global platform for private and secure messaging and voice-based communication, has partnered with AI studio Inflection to bring its cutting-edge conversational AI expertise to Viber users in the Philippines.
Filipino users now have direct access to Pi, enhancing their messaging experience through advanced conversational capabilities.
With a name that stands for personal intelligence, Pi brings an exceptionally empathetic and supportive personality to conversations with users. It is powered by Inflection’s in-house-built Inflection-2.5 large language model which is competitive with the world’s best foundation models on key industry benchmarks.
Together with Inflection, backed by $1.5 billion of investment from major investors including Microsoft, Nvidia, Bill Gates, and Eric Schmidt, the messaging app dares to envision a future where users can leverage the power of artificial intelligence seamlessly and effectively at their fingertips.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2024/04/02/...nal-ai-services-users
February 26, 2024
The ladies’ room is a place for sharing secrets, like the secret to saving money when you shop. With Rakuten, you get Cash Back at thousands of your favorite stores. Unbelievable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQIBRXsXznc
David Curry
Updated: January 25, 2024
What was the market size of the retail app industry?
The market size of the retail app industry was $3.59 trillion in 2022, an increase of 8.1% on the previous year.
Which retail app generates the most revenue?
Amazon is the largest ecommerce company by revenue, generating $513 billion in 2022. Alibaba is the largest in terms of volume, reporting $1.3 trillion GMV last year.
https://www.businessofapps.com/data/retail-app-report/
May 9, 2024
https://www.rakuten-bank.co.jp/press/2024/240509.html
By Shubham Singh / January 12, 2024
With a market size of $27.8 billion, Affiliate Marketing is growing at a very handsome rate. The industry is expected to reach $48 billion by 2027.
The Global Affiliate Marketing Industry Is Worth $27.8 Billion.
That is a 17.8% YoY growth. The industry is expected to flourish and reach a valuation of $32.3 billion in 2024 and $48 billion by 2027.
Here is a table showing the affiliate marketing market size over the years:
Year§Global Market Size (USD Billion)
2016§$13 billion
2017§$14.1 billion
2018§$15.3 billion
2019§$16.6 billion
2020§$17.2 billion
2021§$20.3 billion
2022§$23.6 billion
2023§$27.8 billion
2024*§$32.3 billion
2025*§$37.3 billion
2026*§$42.6 billion
2027*§$48.0 billion
https://www.demandsage.com/affiliate-marketing-statistics/
- Poster will highlight interim evaluation update of photoimmunotherapy based on Alluminoxtm platform using ASP-1929 in combination with anti-PD-1 -
Japanese treating physicians will present a poster on the latest data on photoimmunotherapy in clinical practice in Japan for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma Disclaimer: Rakuten Medical's therapies based on Alluminoxtm platform are investigational outside of Japan.
SAN DIEGO, May 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rakuten Medical, Inc., a global biotechnology company developing and commercializing precision, cell-targeting photoimmunotherapy based on its proprietary Alluminoxtm platform, today announced that it will present a poster at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (ASCO 2024), which will be held in Chicago, Illinois from May 31 through June 4, 2024.
Read more at: https://www.lelezard.com/en/news-21372626.html
New York, May 09, 2024 – Rakuten Insight Global, Inc., a wholly-owned online market research subsidiary of Rakuten Group, Inc., has appointed Steve Lonergan as Regional Head Americas. In this pivotal role, Lonergan will be responsible for spearheading operations and driving sales growth in the Americas region.
Lonergan brings over 20 years of experience in the market research industry, having previously served as Vice President of Sales at Dynata. With a proven track record of success, Lonergan has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a deep understanding of business dynamics in the market research landscape.
Adam Birss, Executive Officer at Rakuten Insight, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Steve to the Rakuten Insight Global family. His extensive expertise aligns perfectly with our strategic vision of expanding our presence in the Americas region and providing our clients with a reliable one-stop online data solution for Asia, US & Beyond.”
“I am excited to join the Rakuten Insight family,” said Lonergan. “I look forward to working with the team to drive growth and further enhance our position as a leader in the market research industry.”
About Rakuten Insight Global
Rakuten Insight Global, Inc. (“Rakuten Insight”) is a wholly-owned online market research subsidiary company of Rakuten Group, Inc. Rakuten Insight was established in 1997 as AIP Corporation and became part of the Rakuten Group in 2014. Rakuten Insight possesses a research panel focusing on 12 countries and regions in Asia & the US and a panel network covering 60 countries and regions. With offices in 11 countries and regions, Rakuten Insight provides market research for over 500 leading companies around the world.
https://insight.rakuten.com/...as%2520Regional%2520Head%2520Americas.
After my estimates we will see an increase of the Yen between 10% and 20% in the next two years.