Tech & Innovation

  • Blog
    Rakuten Mobile recently announced a collaboration with Ligado Networks to deploy Rakuten Communications Platfform (RCP) in a trial 5G private network.
    1 week ago

    Rakuten Mobile and Ligado Networks to collaborate on 5G mobile private networks

    With the launch of 5G networks around the world, more and more customers are set to enjoy the unprecedented mobile speeds and ultra-low latency they bring. However, 5G doesn’t only promise to transform the way individuals work and connect; some of the most innovative use cases for the next generation of communications will come from enterprises leveraging 5G mobile private networks. Mobile private…

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  • Blog
    Rakuten CMO Naho Kono shares insights on the impact of Rakuten Mobile's new pricing plan on the telecom industry in Japan and headlines worldwide.
    3 weeks ago

    CMO Naho Kono on Rakuten’s simple plan to revolutionize the mobile industry

    Announced January 29, Rakuten Mobile’s UN-LIMIT VI plan is sending waves through the global telecom industry. As the plan automatically scales down the monthly fee for those using less data — right down to zero yen for those using less than 1GB — it gives even more reason for light users to try out Rakuten’s service, while maintaining the simplicity of having one single plan. One driving for…

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  • Blog
    Many industry experts said it was impossible, but Rakuten Mobile is scaling up its mobile network at unprecedented speed.
    4 weeks ago

    Network Performance: How Rakuten is scaling a nationwide mobile network

    Rakuten Mobile is scaling up its mobile network at unprecedented speed. Commercially launched in April 2020 as the world’s first fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network built on OpenRAN standards, Rakuten Mobile did what many industry experts said was impossible. And now with Rakuten Mobile’s year-end customer acquisition and performance metrics coming to light, there is much to be celebrat…

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  • Blog
    Rakuten Mobile's newly announced plan, Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI, automatically scales down in price for customers who use less data.
    January 29, 2021

    Something for everyone: Rakuten Mobile’s new plan starts from zero yen

    Mobile users across Japan will soon have access to 5G cellular services at a lower price than ever before — potentially, even for free. During a press conference in Tokyo earlier today, Rakuten Mobile once again shocked the telecommunications industry with the announcement of “Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI,” a new and enhanced version of the Rakuten UN-LIMIT V mobile service plan that automatically scales d…

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  • Blog
    Rakuten's recent UGV trial saw the company's little red delivery robot hit the streets of Yokosuka to deliver groceries to a residential area.
    January 28, 2021

    Rakuten’s self-driving delivery robot hits the streets of Yokosuka

    It’s a chilly December morning in Yokosuka, south of Yokohama. Rakuten and the city of Yokosuka are collaborating on a new UGV trial: A red delivery robot, loaded with groceries, promptly takes off on four minuscule wheels and hits the open streets, expertly navigating around pedestrians, traffic and obstacles to a neighboring residential area. Finally, it comes to a stop in front of the home of a…

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  • Blog
    January 28, 2021

    An eye for innovation: How InnoEye is delivering for Rakuten Mobile and telcos around the world

    In April 2020, Rakuten Mobile became Japan’s fourth major mobile carrier. Currently, the cutting-edge technology that made the world’s first end-to-end virtualized network possible lives exclusively within Rakuten’s service. But that’s about to change thanks in part to a suite of innovative solutions from a newcomer to the Rakuten family, InnoEye Technologies. Soon after launching its network, Rak…

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  • Blog
    Many of the world’s most advanced companies, including Rakuten, run their businesses almost entirely in the cloud, which is more worthwhile.
    January 19, 2021

    Mobile Tech Explained: Cloud infrastructure

    This article is part of a series breaking down the complex systems and technologies that make up the Rakuten Mobile network and Rakuten Communications Platform. In this edition, we speak with Ryota Mibu, division manager for infrastructure platforms at Rakuten Mobile, Inc. The cloud is one of the defining technologies of the twenty-first century – it has put vast computing resources at the fingert…

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  • Blog
    New ownership structure enables Rakuten, KKR and Seiyu to accelerate digital transformation to further benefit both Seiyu’s customers and business partners.
    January 15, 2021

    Rakuten and Seiyu are leading the digital transformation of Japanese supermarkets

    Japan’s supermarkets are undergoing a digital transformation. In November 2020, Rakuten, global investment firm KKR and Walmart announced the signing of definitive agreements under which KKR will purchase a majority stake and a new Rakuten subsidiary will purchase a minority stake in prominent Japanese supermarket chain Seiyu. Under the terms of the agreements, KKR will acquire a 65% stake in Seiy…

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  • Blog
    Rakuten Europe has partnered with Asia Africa Investment & Consulting (AAIC) to help African startups apply innovative solutions to social challenges.
    January 8, 2021

    Supporting African startups through new collaboration: Rakuten & AAIC

    In late 2020, Rakuten Europe announced a new collaborative initiative with Asia Africa Investment & Consulting Pte. Ltd. (AAIC). The initiative aims to support African startups ⁠— especially those eager to apply innovative solutions that will effectively leapfrog their local economies to higher stages of development faster and more efficiently than previously possible. Shigeru Handa, director…

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