Asia Pacific Rakuten February 12, 2019 Rakuten backs vRAN provider ahead of Japan launch Rakuten announced plans to invest in US-based virtualised RAN (vRAN) vendor Altiostar, as the internet giant pressed-on with plans to launch a mobile network using vRAN in Japan in October. By Chris Donkin
Asia Pacific Operators Rakuten November 1, 2018 Rakuten partners KDDI ahead of mobile launch Rakuten, which is scheduled to enter the mobile space in Japan in October 2019, signed a deal which will see it use KDDI’s 4G network in return for helping the operator launch a payment service. By Saleha Riaz
5G+ Asia Pacific Nokia Rakuten RAN Vendors October 2, 2018 Rakuten, Nokia complete 5G OTA test Japan-based e-commerce giant Rakuten became the latest company to unveil successful trials of 5G technology, completing an over-the-air test with Nokia ahead of its entry into the commercial wireless market in October 2019. By Chris Donkin
Asia Pacific Rakuten June 8, 2018 Rakuten extends US presence with Curbside buy Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten acquired Curbside, a US-based start-up which helps traditional merchants serve mobile-centric customers, for an undisclosed amount. By Joseph Waring
Asia Pacific Rakuten April 10, 2018 Japanese authorities approve Rakuten mobile move Japanese e-commerce operator Rakuten said it received approval from the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications to operate 4G service on the 1. 7GHz band, giving it the green light to become the country’s fourth mobile operator in 2019. By Joseph Waring
Asia Pacific Rakuten March 8, 2018 Rakuten agrees power company tower deal Japan-based online retailer Rakuten agreed a deal to use some of Tokyo Electric Power Company’s infrastructure as it moves to become the country’s fourth major wireless operator. By Joseph Waring
Asia Pacific Rakuten February 27, 2018 Rakuten to leverage customer base for MNO launch Japan’s leading online membership company Rakuten is set to challenge established mobile operators by using its huge customer base as the foundation to build its own network operations. “We are the biggest MVNO in Japan today with 1. By Mobile World Live
