Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket
OCTOBER 20, 2023
New company Rakuten Total Solutions has received a three-star rating in a third-party assessment* for its customer service business for Rakuten Mobile. Behind this success lies Kaizen (improvement) activities unique to Rakuten. This video takes a look at the diligent efforts by the staff in pursuit of providing the best customer service in Japan.
*Evaluation based on benchmarks by HDI, the world's leading support and service management organization.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-00DK-mqpM
As a highly regulated industry, telecom has traditionally been deploying new services at a relatively slow pace but that could be remedied by Open RAN, Automation and AI, Hollingworth said. “Quite often, the biggest unit of cost in telecom is time,” he said. “When things take a long time, that creates an operational debt. From an asset ownership and supply chain point of view, that’s significant. Telecom can't compete if it moves that slowly. Open RAN moves control from the equipment providers to the people running the network.”
Hollingworth highlighted the operational success of Rakuten Mobile’s network in Japan, which he believes has set a global precedent for effective adoption. The network’s more than 350,000 cells are managed, life-cycled, upgraded and monitored in exactly the same fashion, he said. “There were two aspects of the rollout that are very important to understand. From a time-to-market and an investment perspective, building the network in a traditional manner would not have met our requirements. The decision to go with an open interface-driven deployment came from forcing the speed of rollout. In a very rapid period of time, we saw that if your blueprint is automation-first, by using those open interfaces, you can very quickly deploy, upgrade and roll out networks. You can also start to digitalize all of your processes - data then becomes available to continuously improve how you are running an operation.”
https://symphony.rakuten.com/blog/...ction-point-rakuten-symphony-cmo
April 3, 2023
U.S.-based savings and investing startup Acorns has acquired London-based GoHenry, a startup focused on providing money management and financial education services to 6- to18-year-olds in an all-equity deal, the two companies announced today.
The combined valuation of the company, as well as further financial terms, were not disclosed. When Acorns last raised funding, $300 million in March 2022, it was valued at $2 billion; GoHenry has not disclosed its valuation but was believed to be valued at between $250 million and $500 million in October 2022, when it raised $55 million.
n March of 2022, CEO Noah Kerner told TechCrunch that the company had more than 4.6 million paid subscribers. GoHenry last October said it had 2 million customers.
https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/03/...for-6-18-year-olds/?guccounter=1
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Acorns Gets $30M From PayPal, Rakuten For Investing App
Newport Beach-based Acorns, the developer of a mobile app which turns your spare change into investments in an exchange traded fund (ETF), has raised $30M in a new funding round from PayPal and Rakuten, the company disclosed today.
https://www.socaltech.com/...rakuten_for_investing_app/s-0065014.html
Read additional:
https://devtechnosys.com/insights/...e-an-investment-app-like-acorns/
October 20,2023
We hear from our premier sponsor about their latest developments to help brands and publishers outperform in 2024, their plans for PI LIVE Europe, and their thoughts on global and European expansion in the next year. As we continue to count down the days until PI LIVE Europe 2023, we caught up with Nick Fletcher, Senior Vice President, EMEA at Rakuten Advertising, to discuss the major developments happening at Rakuten, how the network is aiding global and European expansion across borders, the future of AI in affiliate, and the integration of influencer marketing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PAqmCsTshw
Speedtest Intelligence reveals that among top mobile operators in Japan in Q3 2023, Rakuten Mobile delivered the fastest median download speed at 46.98 Mbps.
46.98 = Rakuten Mobile
43.05 = SoftBank
42.03 = NTT DoCoMo
39.50 = au
https://www.speedtest.net/global-index/japan
Calculating median upload speed for top mobile operators in Japan during Q3 2023, Rakuten Mobile had the fastest median upload speed at 19.34 Mbps.
Median Upload Speed Mbps, Provider
19.34 Mbps = Rakuten Mobile
8.82 Mbps = SoftBank
6.62 Mbps = au
6.37 Mbps = NTT DoCoMo
https://www.speedtest.net/global-index/japan
Consistency (%), Provider
90.4% Rakuten Mobile
82.7% SoftBank
81.1% NTT DoCoMo
76.3% au
https://www.speedtest.net/global-index/japan
The MIC noted it will consult with the Radio Regulatory Council on 23 October about Rakuten Mobile’s application.
Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s fourth wireless operator, looks set to land a licence to operate in the so-called ‘platinum band’ after it was the only company to apply to the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) for the right to “establish specific base stations for the spread of mobile communication systems in the 700MHz band.” Its established mobile services rivals – NTT Docomo, KDDI and SoftBank – already hold licences for the band. In a short statement, the MIC noted it will consult with the Radio Regulatory Council on 23 October about Rakuten Mobile’s application. The operator has long stated the importance of 700MHz spectrum to its plans for nationwide coverage, and has previously noted that if it is “allocated platinum band spectrum, we will utilise our network technology and existing base station sites to conduct an efficient base station rollout that is both flexible and cost effective in order to provide stable and high-quality services to our customers.” Rakuten Mobile needs all the useful assets it can get its hand on: The operator recently announced it had passed the 5 million subscriber mark, but it has taken three years for it to reach that very low number in what is a highly competitive market. And in announcing that landmark, the company admitted that one of its current main goals is to “improve the quality of communication it provides and expand its range of services so that customers can enjoy comfortable and convenient communication services anywhere”. Getting a 700MHz licence looks key to achieving that goal.
https://www.telecomtv.com/content/...ith-telia-vendor-woes-gtt-48643/
Mon, October 23, 2023
Japan's Rakuten Group on Monday said it would invest 54.4 billion yen ($362.81 million) to construct cellular base stations, just after the government announced it had assigned the company's carrier better frequency for connection.
The announcement could boost the company's mobile phone business that has struggled to take market share from cash-rich incumbents known for high-quality networks.
Rakuten said it plans to open 10,661 base stations for the "platinum band" frequency and expects its cell phone business to turn profitable in 2026.
The company is sticking to a plan to reduce capital expenditure by about 300 billion yen between 2023 and 2025, a spokesperson said.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...t-363-million-better-112934885.html
Rakuten Mobile gets approval for deployment using 700 MHz band
October 23, 2023
Earlier this month, the Japanese communications ministry said that Rakuten Mobile was the only company to apply for the 700 MHz slots during the application period
“Based on this approval, Rakuten Mobile will begin building a mobile network utilizing the 700 MHz band in order to provide even higher-quality mobile service to customers. In addition, Rakuten Mobile will leverage its unique network technology and existing base station sites to build out base stations in a cost-efficient and effective manner,” the carrier said.
Spectrum bands in the 700-900 MHz range have better indoor building penetration and enable mobile services indoors and outdoors; in Japan, they are currently allocated to local carriers NTT Docomo, KDDI and SoftBank. Rakuten Mobile has not previously had access to frequencies in that range.
https://www.rcrwireless.com/20231023/5g/...roval-deployment-using-700
-mhz-band
Tokyo, October 23, 2023 – Rakuten Mobile, Inc. today announced that it has received approval from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications for its special base station deployment plan for the expansion of mobile communications systems in the 700 MHz frequency spectrum, also known as the “platinum band.” Rakuten Mobile submitted this plan for approval in order to ensure fair competition in Japan and foster the further growth and development of telecommunications networks in the country.
Based on this approval, Rakuten Mobile will begin building a mobile network utilizing the 700 MHz band in order to provide even higher-quality mobile service to customers. While the dates set forth in the deployment plan take into account timelines for a range of preparations required for operations, preparations are underway with the aim of launching operations as soon as possible. In addition, Rakuten Mobile will leverage its unique network technology and existing base station sites to build out base stations in a cost-efficient and effective manner.
Rakuten Mobile has advocated for the democratization of the mobile phone industry since entering the market. As a mobile carrier, the company will continue to further this mission by providing stable and high-quality mobile services to our customers.
Source: Rakuten Inc
Platinum band that can reach far and connect easily.
The “Platinum Band” frequency that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has decided to allocate to Rakuten Mobile is two 3MHz wide frequencies in the 700MHz band.
Frequencies between 700MHz and 900MHz are called the “platinum band” because radio waves can easily reach long distances and can go around buildings and other obstacles. The quality will be greatly improved.
https://iphonewired.com/news/712540
October 22, 2023 (Mainichi Japan)
The Japanese-owned cross-platform app's strong presence in the Philippines - where it has a user penetration of 71 percent - can be attributed to the country's cultural dynamics that see a significant number of Filipinos seeking job opportunities abroad, according to Viber CEO Ofir Eyal.
Rakuten Viber is also aiming to launch its payment service Viber Pay, currently only available in Germany and Greece, in the Philippines next year, the firm said, moving it one step closer to its goal of becoming a global "super app."
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20231022/p2g/...uper%2520app.%22
For Rakuten Mobile, which started its service in June 2023 and has gained many users who have switched from other companies with its “Rakuten Strongest Plan,” which costs up to 3,278 yen per month (tax included) and limits data communication even on au lines, Platinum Band is a great option for Rakuten Mobile. The acquisition is likely to provide a strong tailwind.
https://iphonewired.com/news/712540#google_vignette
Live Q&A featuring Fujitsu, Rakuten Symphony and Red Hat
October 23, 2023
This Live Q&A Show was broadcast at the end of day one of the AI-Native Telco Summit. TelecomTV’s Guy Daniels was joined by industry guest panellists for this question and answer session. Among the questions raised by our audience were: - What are the AI use cases for telcos? - Is there an increased cybersecurity risk from AI? - There have been previous initiatives to use the vast amount of data generated by a CSP, but few have really succeeded. What is different this time? - How close is AI to zero error? - Are there any intermediate steps that telcos need to take before reaching the end-state of being AI-native? - Why has the adoption of AI in telcos been so slow? Is it the highly domain-specific requirements, or some other factor? - How can traditional AI optimisation models based on analytics, machine learning and algorithms be integrated with generative AI?
Featuring: - Anshul Bhatt, Head of Symworld Solutions, Rakuten Symphony - Beatriz Ortega, EMEA Telco Business Development Manager, Red Hat - Joe Krystofik, Head of Product Planning, Network Automation, Fujitsu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN-HKv1yoyo
In the wake of receiving the green light from the MIC, the tellco’s parent, Rakuten Inc., released a separate statement confirming its intention to invest JPY54.4 billion (USD362.81 million) to build out the new base stations, as it strives to invigorate the fortunes of its mobile phone business which has so far struggled to make inroads into a market dominated by three entrenched incumbents. According to Reuters, Rakuten aims to deploy 10,661 700MHz base stations and expects its cellphone business to turn profitable in 2026. The company is sticking to a plan to reduce capital expenditure by about JPY300 billion between 2023 and 2025, a spokesperson is quoted as saying.
https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2023/10/24/...hz-mobile-rollout/
OCTOBER 23, 2023
Japanese authorities signed off a plan by Rakuten Mobile to use the 700MHz frequency band to improve coverage, the company revealed, with Reuters reporting the operator’s parent company planned to splash JPY54.4 billion ($362.9 million) on new base stations.
The news publication claimed Rakuten’s mobile unit intended to use 10,661 base stations to take advantage of the allocation as it chases profitability in 2026.
“Preparations are underway with the aim of launching operations as soon as possible,” it added, noting it would also use its “unique network technology and existing base station sites to build out base stations in a cost-efficient and effective manner”.
https://www.mobileworldlive.com/rakuten/...as-parent-sets-cash-aside/
It’s time to decide what we want from Open RAN
By Geoff Hollingworth Chief Marketing Officer Rakuten Symphony
October 24, 2023
Should telecom prioritize operational efficiency or supplier diversity?
Open RAN is here to stay. Top operators globally have committed to its rollout, governments are eager to see it succeed and even incumbent legacy vendors have thrown varying levels of support behind it.
The motives that got us to this point don’t matter.
The question as attention turns to ensuring Open RAN delivers on its full potential is what will be the primary driver moving forward: operational efficiency or supplier diversity?
This isn’t simply about selecting a vision but determining a long-term outcome. What end state do we want for telecom and what is Open RAN’s role in achieving it?
Supplier diversity on its own, while certainly appealing, is likely to result in a mirage if it is devoid of operational efficacy. This is because pursuing diversity without changing current operational paradigms will all but guarantee a slow race to the bottom.
To thrive, we have to recognize the real value of Open RAN: operational interoperability via open interfaces, designed to refine operations and support a marketplace flush with suppliers all competing with the best products.
https://symphony.rakuten.com/blog/...ecide-what-we-want-from-open-ran
13 hours ago
Rakuten Mobile’s continuous efforts to deliver high-quality, easily accessible mobile services for Japanese consumers have been validated by expert research, which now proves that its 5G upload speeds are the best in the country.
Global analytics firm Opensignal’s newest Japan Mobile Network Experience Report, published today, offers further validation that Japan’s most modern mobile network is continually raising its game and improving an enhanced customer experience.
Rakuten Mobile now also provides the joint-best ‘Live Video Experience’ and is a strong competitor in ‘Consistent Quality’ and ‘Overall Coverage Experience’ categories.
The report spells encouraging signs for Japan’s newest telco, validating its decision to build the world’s first cloud-native telecom network underpinned by Open RAN technologies. Those decisions are now successfully translating into convenient, streamlined customer services that are beginning to revolutionize the way Japanese consumers live and work in the 5G era.
https://rakuten.today/blog/...oint-best-in-live-video-experience.html
- Opensignal’s October 2023 Mobile Network Experience Report shows Rakuten Mobile delivers Japan’s
best 5G Upload and takes top position for 5G Download Speed and Live Video Experience
Tokyo, October 25, 2023 – Japan’s newest and most modern mobile network has overtaken its domestic competitors across a number of key 5G performance measures, independent testing from global analytics company Opensignal has shown.
Opensignal’s October 2023 Mobile Network Experience Report, published today, shows that Rakuten Mobile is now a leader among Japan’s mobile operators in 5G Upload speeds, and is highly competitive across key network indices.
The scores represent significant progress for Rakuten Mobile who launched commercial services three-and-a-half years ago. This is also the result of Rakuten Mobile’s efforts to continuously improve network performance to its more than five million customers across Japan.
“Since our launch in 2020, Rakuten Mobile has been committed to operating Japan’s best mobile network,” said Sharad Sriwastawa, Co-CEO, Rakuten Mobile. “Opensignal’s latest report is a validation of our mission and a testament to the hard work and commitment to innovation of the Rakuten Mobile team. We will continue to improve the quality and performance of our network to provide our customers with the best 5G experience in Japan.”
The decision to build a cloud-native, virtualized mobile network based on Open radio access network (Open RAN) technologies is continuing to yield a variety of industry transformational results for Rakuten Mobile.
Ranked First in 5G Upload Speed
As with Opensignal’s report published in July 2023, Rakuten Mobile customers have access to the fastest 5G Upload Speeds in Japan, with users now experiencing average speeds of 30.4 Mbps, much faster than its closest competitor.
Ranked Top in 5G Download Speed
In terms of 5G Download Speeds, Rakuten Mobile was named a joint winner, with speeds of 180.9 Mbps.
Joint Winner in Live Video Experience
Software upgrades to Rakuten Mobile’s nationwide network include the addition of features that have lowered latency. These improvements have in part translated into Rakuten Mobile being named a joint winner for Live Video Experience.
High Marks in Consistent Network Quality
Opensignal also awarded Rakuten Mobile scores on par with other mobile operators in Japan. Rakuten Mobile enjoys high marks for Consistent Quality, ranked second.
Opensignal also scored Rakuten Mobile at 99.1% for Overall Availability, which means Rakuten Mobile customers can more often take advantage of Japan’s fastest 5G Upload Speeds when enjoying Rakuten Group’s ecosystem of services including online shopping, digital content, fintech and online travel services.
Rakuten Mobile has made substantial performance gains since 2022
Rakuten Mobile's network quality has improved significantly in one year. In addition to the report published today, and compared to 2022, Rakuten Mobile’s network has improved across categories such as Games Experience, Consistent Quality and Coverage Experience.*2
With independent third-party expert data from Opensignal and other industry organizations, alongside numerous industry awards, such as GSMA’s most prestigious annual GLOMO Awards three years running*3 granted to Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Symphony in both 4G and 5G technology, Rakuten Mobile is performing as one of the most acclaimed networks in the world today.
Rakuten Mobile will continue to advance Open RAN technologies while improving network quality to provide mobile customers in Japan with best-in-class mobile services.
https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/...20231025_01_lang_en
Mon, October 23, 2023
Japan E-Commerce Payment Market is projected to grow to US$ 256.90 Billion by 2028 from US$ 140.37 Billion in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 10.60% from 2022-2028
Japan boasts one of the world's largest and most advanced e-commerce markets. As the fourth-largest e-commerce market globally, Japan has experienced rapid adoption of mobile payments, leading to billions of dollars in transactions. Mobile payments in Japan primarily rely on technologies like NFC and QR codes. Younger, tech-savvy generations find it particularly convenient to use their smartphones for payments, either through dedicated payment apps or by scanning QR codes.
However, it's worth noting that while Japan is known for its technological advancements, the adoption of mobile commerce payments remains relatively low due to the continued use of desktops and a significant aging population that may be less inclined to embrace smartphones.
The government's "Cashless Vision" initiative aims to boost cashless settlements from 18.4% to 40% by 2025. To achieve this goal, the government is encouraging credit card companies to adopt APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), responding to the demand for secure and convenient fintech services. The promotion of API integration is expected to accelerate the adoption of cashless payments and drive digital transformation within the financial services sector.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...merce-payment-market-083800076.html