Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket

1&1  as an example for the sustainability of Open RAN

A 1&1 antenna site is much simpler than a conventional base station. There is one active antenna for 5G, one passive 4G antenna for 4G, and the radio unit. There is no air conditioning on site, reducing power and physical footprint (no sheltering) and no compute: all of this is 10 kilometers away at the regional data center. Each regional center can be handling 25 separate antennas, affording much greater flexibility compared to a traditional cell site where each baseband unit must be sized for the maximum usage of an antenna. A 1&1 baseband unit can be sized for the maximum combined load of 25 antennas and compute can be moved around as the need for capacity at a stadium or a motorway during rush hour is detected. This obviously has potential to reduce energy consumption.

https://appledoreresearch.com/2022/09/29/rakuten-symphonys-11-update/

 

Rakuten's FinTech businesses are expanding their customer base and accelerating the speed of their growth, which is all made possible by Rakuten's tech knowhow. Many cutting-edge initiatives have been realized using the latest Rakuten-developed technology related to algorithms, apps, 5G, and drones, in addition to improved operational efficiency through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGE3VpGKXYw  

Marriott International and Rakuten Strengthen Service Cooperation with New Point Exchange Program

NOVEMBER 7, 2022REHOW

Marriott International amd Rakuten today announced a new agreement between the two companies to allow Marriott Bonvoy members to redeem Points for Points.

The strategic alliance between Marriott and Rakuten, which began in the second half of 2021, will allow Marriott Bonvoy members and Rakuten members to enjoy the benefits of both in the long term, further improving the domestic and international travel experience for users in Japan. It was a lot. Marriott Bonvoy has more than 8,100 excellent hotels and resorts in 139 countries and regions around the world, and more than 75 hotels in Japan. Marriott Bonvoy members can earn points for every meal and stay at participating Marriott hotels, which can be redeemed for free nights, as well as exclusive access to concerts, dining experiences, premier sporting events and more. Benefit from access through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments program. Rakuten provides more than 70 services in a wide range of fields, including e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communication. Users can earn and use Rakuten Points for various Rakuten services, such as online shopping through Rakuten Ichiba and travel reservations through Rakuten Travel. Members can also use Rakuten Points at convenience stores, gas stations, restaurants, etc. nationwide. We will continue to deliver wonderful benefits unique to members to all users in Japan.

https://re-how.net/2022/11/...520and,Rakuten%2520Points.%2520%5BImage  

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL AND RAKUTEN ELEVATE STRATEGIC COLLABORATION

Marriott Bonvoy members can now exchange their Marriott Bonvoy points for Rakuten Points, allowing them greater redemption options

TOKYO, Nov. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) and Rakuten Group, Inc. (TSE: 4755) today announced a new agreement between the two companies, which enables Marriott Bonvoy members to exchange their Marriott Bonvoy points for Rakuten Points, Rakuten's popular loyalty program.

Launched in late 2021, the collaboration between Marriott Bonvoy and Rakuten allows Marriott Bonvoy to connect directly with millions of Rakuten members to offer them unparalleled experiences. The program encompasses Marriott's extraordinary portfolio of more than 8,100 hotels and resorts across 139 countries and territories around the world, including more than 75 properties in Japan. Whenever they dine or stay at participating hotels, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn points to redeem for free nights, as well as enjoy the benefits of Elite status such as access to bucket-list experiences through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments platform, which provides VIP access to concerts, culinary experiences, premier sporting events and more.

Rakuten's multi-faceted consumer offerings include e-commerce, fintech, digital content and communications, united under its flagship loyalty program, Rakuten Points. Members earn points by shopping online through Rakuten Ichiba, making travel reservations through Rakuten Travel, or using a variety of the more than 70 services Rakuten operates. Members also can use Rakuten Points at restaurants, convenience stores and gas staions across Japan.

http://www.wip-news.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=15860
 

 

https://www.lightreading.com/open-ran/...ent-industries/v/d-id/780837  

Open RAN is Still a Good Idea--with Solvable Challenges

Thu, November 3, 2022 at 1:41 PM·2 min read

Analyst firm Mobile Experts reports on the long view for ORAN and how it becomes a heavy hitter

CAMPBELL, Calif., Nov. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Open RAN networks can be found in three leading regions of the world today. A new report from analyst firm Mobile Experts forecasts major upcoming deployments of 5G using Open RAN interfaces in the near future, and they see it as a harbinger of success for the market itself.

"We said it in 2019, and we're saying it again: Open RAN is a good idea," commented Chief Analyst at Mobile Experts, Joe Madden. "Open RAN performance has improved over the past three years, and will grow in steps over the next five years. In fact, after the positive experience in 5G, we're confident Open RAN will be 'native' in 6G deployment with all kinds of operators."

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/open-ran-still-good-idea-124100773.html  

5G Services Global Market Report 2022: Growing Demand for High-Speed Data Connectivity With Low Latency Fueling Sector

by Globe Newswire

November 7, 2022 5:33 AM | 4 min read

The global 5G services market size is estimated to reach USD 1.67 trillion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 52.0% from 2022 to 2030. The rapidly rising demand for ultra-reliable and low-latency data networks capable of providing enhanced mobile connectivity is estimated to boost the market growth over the forecast period.

The potential adoption of 5G services for remote patient monitoring and remote surgery applications is also anticipated to propel market growth from 2022 to 2030. The 5G wireless technology is expected to completely transform the transportation and logistics industry by providing seamless Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) connectivity.

Companies Mentioned

AT&T, Inc

BT Group plc

China Mobile Ltd.

China Telecom Corporation Ltd.

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

NTT Docomo

KT Corp.

Saudi Telecom Company

Vodafone Group

Deutsche Telekom AG

SK Telecom Co., Ltd.

Verizon Communications, Inc.

T-Mobile USA Inc

Rakuten Mobile Inc.

https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/22/11/...ectivity-with-low-lat  

Negative cash flow from operations decreased about 50 billion JPY in Q2/2022 to 96.2 billion JPY in Q2/2022. I am sure, that this development had continued in Q3/2022 and will continue in Q4/2022. The result will be a positive cash flow from operations in Q1/2023.

https://global.rakuten.com/corp/investors  

Cash of the of non-financial business of Rakuten increased 227.5 billion JPY (= $1.55 billion) in the last months through this two operations.


Bond Name Maturity Date Term Issue AmountCoupon Rate

21st Unsecured Bond June 13,2022 3 Years JPY 150bn 0.72%

https://global.rakuten.com/corp/investors/stock/bond.html



Rakuten : Announcement of Receipt of Dividends from a Consolidated Subsidiary

11/02/2022 | 07:20am GMT

As announced in the statement "Announcement of Completion of Partial Share Transfer of Rakuten Securities, Inc." published on November 1, 2022, following the completion of partial share transfer of Rakuten Securities Inc., Rakuten Group, Inc. ("the Company") announces that it has received JPY 77.5 billion in dividends from Rakuten Securities Holdings, Inc., a consolidated subsidiary of the Company.

https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/...ed-Subsidiary-42171879/  

Auf dem Message-Board von Yahoo werden diese Information momentan geblockt - warum auch immer.

Ich habe Yahoo gemailt, dass ich dieses Blockieren als eine Marktmanipulation ansehe und das der SEC melden werde, wenn diese Blockade nicht sofort eingestellt wird.  

Breaking Japan’s cash habit by nudging wage earners
8. NOV. 2022, 11:52 AM SGT

TOKYO – If supply of alternative payment options could whip up its own demand, Japan would be near-cashless by now. Since that is far from reality, the government is giving people a helpful nudge, prompting them to use their mobile wallets more often than their physical ones.

The Japanese preference for cash is well known. The surprise is that it refuses to die despite an abundance of other choices. In addition to credit and debit cards – and their digital versions – most large retailers now accept at least half a dozen QR code-based services. For small-value purchases at the corner store, transport providers’ stored value cards and their mobile app avatars are a popular substitute for yen banknotes.

Yet, two-thirds of all transactions last year involved currency, which is costly for Japan’s banks and a drag on its economy. A country where the working-age population has shrunk 14 per cent over the past quarter-century is loath to deploy labour in low-productivity activities such as filling up ATMs and collecting notes and coins from businesses.

This is why the Labour Ministry is lifting its ban on e-money salary payments. The public- and private-sector employees who agree to receive a part of their wages virtually will be allowed to hold up to 1 million yen (S$9,600) in their digital salary wallets. If an online operator goes bankrupt, this balance will be refunded to the consumer. With that guarantee, which mimics the 10 million yen public deposit insurance in the event of a bank failure, labour unions have given their backing to the plan, ending a debate that began in 2020.

It is a major win for the government as well as for the likes of PayPay and Line Pay, both backed by SoftBank Group, and Rakuten Pay, promoted by local e-commerce giant Rakuten Group. And it could be just what Japan needs to get into the habit of spending virtually.

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/...nudging-wage-earners

 

Rakuten Symphony moved to bundle Juniper Networks’ RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) with its Symworld platform, a move the Japan-based company’s CEO Tareq Amin (pictured) argued would prove as disruptive to the industry as Apple’s App Store.

RICs are designed to control base stations from a variety of open RAN vendors, providing features including power management in real- and non real-time.

Omdia analyst James Crawshaw told MWL Juniper Networks’ stood to benefit greatly if it becomes the sole RIC provider for Symworld “given Rakuten’s strong recognition in the open RAN community” and the US vendor’s “limited prior track record in radio infrastructure or software applications”.

Chua noted there are many RIC providers in the market, with no clear means of evaluating them.

https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/...taps-juniper-ric/  

Rakuten Mobile Uses 4G and 5G for Successful Demonstration of Combining Real and Virtual Motorsports Racing

- Real-time synchronous communication enables racing and spectating of virtual and real cars at the Fuji Speedway race circuit -

**Tokyo, November 9, 2022 –**On October 23, 2022, Rakuten Mobile, Inc. ("Rakuten Mobile") successfully conducted a demonstration of motor sports that fused the real and the virtual at the 2022 Inter Proto Series POWERED BY KeePer Round 2 held by Inter Proto Motor Sports Co., Ltd.. Using 4G and 5G mmWave provided by Rakuten Mobile, an e-race was successfully conducted that fused the real and virtual by remote transmission of driving data, and the real-time synchronous augmented reality (AR) display of the virtual car and car racing information during the race.

This demonstration experiment was conducted simultaneously at two locations: Fuji Speedway, the venue of the 2022 Inter Proto Series POWERED BY KeePer Round 2 located in Shizuoka prefecture, and the Rakuten Mobile Ebisu Store in central Tokyo. The test car dubbed "kuruma" ran on the circuit at Fuji Speedway against the virtual car driven by e-racers using the racing simulator at the Rakuten Mobile Ebisu Store, using data obtained from both sources.

https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/...20221109_01_lang_en  

Rakuten has hosted its first esports tournament! There is great growth potential in the esports business, from gaining new Rakuten fans, to collaborations with e-commerce and other sectors of the Rakuten Ecosystem. We spoke with event sponsors and fans about their impressions of the event as well as their expectations for Rakuten's entry into the esports market.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qwnoMr0_cs
 

Rakuten Symphony announces Juniper Networks as its RIC partner | Communications Today

https://www.communicationstoday.co.in/...networks-as-its-ric-partner/  

Another important reason why the establishment of Rakuten Mobile as the fourth carrier was very important

Masayoshi Son’s firm spent heavily on PayPay, signing up customers with generous discounts and making it free for merchants to accept payments for the first several years. That investment has paid off, with PayPay controlling 45% of the QR code payment market, according to market researcher MMD Labo. It boasts 51 million registered users — or around half the adult population.

E-commerce and telecom players are also looking to keep users spending within their expanding networks. Rakuten, which already offers 70-plus services, recently added investments with e-money to the menu. It has around 17% of the QR code payment market, with Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.’s mobile operator Docomo and rival KDDI Corp.’s AU holding similar shares. Mercari Inc., a flea-market app operator that’s one of the few Japanese startups to make a dent in the US, has 3%.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2022/11/09/...anese-cash-habits/  

Rakuten Mobile verwendet 4G und 5G für die erfolgreiche Demonstration der Kombination von realem und virtuellem Motorsport, 5G

November 9, 2022 Eshan Williams

Unter Verwendung von 4G- und 5G-mmWave von Rakuten Mobile wurde ein E-Rennen erfolgreich durchgeführt, das die reale und virtuelle Fernübertragung von Fahrdaten und die synchrone Augmented Reality (AR)-Anzeige der virtuellen Autos und Autorennen in Echtzeit verschmolz während des Rennens.

Dieses Demonstrationsexperiment wurde gleichzeitig an zwei Orten durchgeführt: dem Fuji Speedway, dem Austragungsort der 2022 Inter Proto Series POWERED BY KeePer Round 2 in der Präfektur Shizuoka, und dem Rakuten Mobile Ebisu Store im Zentrum von Tokio. Der Testwagen mit dem Namen „kuruma“ fuhr auf der Rennstrecke des Fuji Speedway gegen das virtuelle Auto, das von E-Rennfahrern gefahren wurde, unter Verwendung des Rennsimulators im Rakuten Mobile Ebisu Store, wobei Daten aus beiden Quellen verwendet wurden.

https://www.gamingdeputy.com/gr/...alem-und-virtuellem-motorsport-5g/  

https://global.rakuten.com/corp/investors/  

https://www.irwebcasting.com/221111/52/ffa175ad2c/

Zuhören rentiert sich!
 

Domestic E-Commerce of Rakuten was better than the numbers of competitors around the world

Domestic EC GMS increased 13,1% from 1,194 billion JPY in Q3/21 to 1,350 billion JPY in Q3/22.

Domestic Segemnt Revenue increased 13,3% from 172,207 million JPY in Q3/21 to 195,041 million JPY in Q3/22.

Domestic Segment Non-GAAP Operating Income increased 30,7% from 19,732 million JPY in Q3/21 to 25,781 million JPY in Q3/22.

global.rakuten.com/corp/investors/

 

Double-digit growth, expanding e-commerce and Mobile highlights: Q3 FY2022 results

7 hours ago

The Rakuten Group recorded revenue growth in all three segments in Q3 FY2022: Internet Services, FinTech and Mobile. Consolidated revenue achieved double-digit growth, up 15.8% year-on-year (YoY), reaching a total of 471.1 billion yen and marking the highest revenue ever recorded by the Rakuten Group in the third quarter of a fiscal year.

Continuing the strong growth from the previous quarter, domestic e-commerce* gross merchandise sales achieved double-digit growth.

“Regarding domestic e-commerce, user retention continued to improve for both Rakuten Ichiba and Rakuten Travel, resulting in double-digit growth of 13.1% YoY, ” shared Mikitani. Customer base expansion in Rakuten’s fintech services also contributed to the revenue increase.

In overseas businesses, revenue for U.S.-based cashback service Rakuten Rewards in Q3 FY2022 grew to 22.3 billion yen, up 15.2% YoY, as a result of successful marketing initiatives and recovery in consumer shopping habits.

Fintech powers ahead

Fintech performance was especially strong: In Q3 FY2022, the segment recorded increases in both revenue and profit. Revenue was 166.5 billion yen, up 10.3% YoY, and Non-GAAP operating profit was 25.2 billion yen, an increase of 19% YoY.

“ONLY SIX YEARS AGO, RAKUTEN CARD’S DOMESTIC SHARE OF CREDIT CARD SHOPPING WAS AT LESS THAN 10%. THIS IS NOW AT 23% AND INCREASING.”

MICKEY MIKITANI, RAKUTEN GROUP CHAIRMAN AND CEO

Rakuten Card continues to grow and has issued a cumulative total of 27.51 million cards as of the end of September 2022. Boosted by continued growth in the number of cards issued and high usage rates, Rakuten Card’s shopping gross transaction value (GTV) in Q3 FY2022 reached 4.6 trillion yen, up 27.4% YoY.

Emphasizing the significant expansion Rakuten Card has achieved, Mikitani reflected, “Only six years ago, Rakuten Card’s domestic share of credit card shopping was at less than 10%. This is now at 23% and increasing.”

Rakuten Mobile in the spotlight

“In little more than 2 years Rakuten Mobile has pulled off a miracle – not only building a brand-new technical architecture but also building a mobile network from the ground up. Now, in November 2022 we have achieved 98% population coverage,” shared Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Symphony CEO Tareq Amin.

Mobile segment revenue rose to 89.3 billion yen in Q3 FY2022, a significant increase of 62.5% YoY. The total number of MNO and MVNO subscribers also reached 5.18 million as of the end of September 2022. Moreover, subscriptions are showing net growth, even after the conclusion of the essentially free service campaign for subscribers at the end of October 2022.

“[RAKUTEN] SYMPHONY IS A COLLECTION OF COMPONENTS THAT ARE EXTREMELY UNIQUE. I BELIEVE THAT WHAT TESLA DID FOR EV, RAKUTEN IS DOING FOR MOBILE NETWORKS.”

TAREQ AMIN, RAKUTEN MOBILE AND RAKUTEN SYMPHONY CEO

Amin pointed out that the business is still in Phase 2 of its growth plan, with more expansion to come in the near future. “We target to reach 60,000 base stations and reach population coverage of 99%…Rakuten Mobile has no desire to be the 4th mobile operator in Japan. I believe we are on our way to becoming the number one mobile operator in Japan.”

The average annual purchase amount on Rakuten Ichiba for Rakuten Mobile subscribers is 35,831 yen higher than for non-subscribers, greatly contributing to enhanced membership value. “Rakuten Mobile is contributing to significant synergies that are bringing benefits to the entire Rakuten Group,” Mikitani emphasized.

Just one year since its launch in August 2021, Rakuten Symphony has reached 14 customers as of Q3 FY2022 with orders exceeding US$3.1 billion. The cumulative sales revenue from launch until Q3 FY2022 reached US$315 million.

“Symphony is a collection of components that are extremely unique. I believe that what Tesla did for EV, Rakuten is doing for mobile networks,” Amin commented.

https://rakuten.today/blog/fy2022-q3-results.html  

The global 5G services market size is estimated to reach USD 1.67 trillion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 52.0% from 2022 to 2030. The rapidly rising demand for ultra-reliable and low-latency data networks capable of providing enhanced mobile connectivity is estimated to boost the market growth over the forecast period.

Companies Mentioned

AT&T, Inc

BT Group plc

China Mobile Ltd.

China Telecom Corporation Ltd.

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

NTT Docomo

KT Corp.

Saudi Telecom Company

Vodafone Group

Deutsche Telekom AG

SK Telecom Co., Ltd.

Verizon Communications, Inc.

T-Mobile USA Inc

Rakuten Mobile Inc.

https://thefacts.com/ap/business/...-9445-5ddc-9a32-dede5ec0e87f.html

„Let me share with you what a one-year-old start-up (lRakuten Symphony) has done in just since August 2021 until today. We have opened up our global offices, nine global offices, invested heavy engineering, massive technology partnership, huge awards from the industry, but we have booked US$3.1 billion of booking revenues in the first 13 months of Rakuten and Symphony existent. This is just absolutely remarkable. 14 global customers, two marquee customers that we're providing end-to-end technology stack.

So from booking to revenue, if you look at Q3, we are at US$315 million of revenue in Q3. And if I share with you our pipeline, what I could tell you is the demand in the market is very strong, very strong. Symphony have to focus our resources and high payoff projects and activities. In addition to the booked US$3.1 billion, we have 69 opportunities that we are also going after that have a value of US$2.7 billion of pipeline, 110 million in total that we are addressing today.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/...-q3-2022-earnings-call-transcript  

Very important numbers of Rakuten

Q3/22 Revenue and Operating Income

Q3/21 Q3/22 YoY

Core Business

Revenue 348.1 383.0 +10.0%

Operating Income 41.6 49.0 +17.6%

global.rakuten.com/corp/investors/

An operaring income of 49.0 billion JPY in one quarter = 196 billion JPY on a yearly base = $ 1.41 billion. That will be the normal net income, if Rakuten Mobille will reach profitabilty in December 2023 like announced - may be $ 1.5 billion after additional growth. That are by a P/E of 20 a valuation of $ 30 billion.  

I believe, that a CEO of company can better overlook the numbers than an analyst like New Street „analyst“ Chris Hoare, who were engaged to damage Rakuten Mobile and Open RAN and posting lies and nonsense since a lot of years .

„Speaking with Fierce at Mobile World Congress Americas in September, Rakuten Mobile CEO Tareq Amin said, “We have always been consistent that we will break-even in calendar year 2023. If we really break even in 2023, I think this really addresses everything. Construction is a capex investment, and 2023 we will be pretty much done with our build.”

https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/...-down-larger-rakuten-group