The less bumpy way to ride e-commerce = Rakuten (Seite 460)

[FlankerStan]

A new way to pay for your groceries in Japan: via cryptocurrency

22 hours ago

Japan is getting one step closer to using cryptocurrencies as actual currencies, thanks to Rakuten Wallet.

Rakuten’s online crypto wallet has started a new service that allows users in Japan to charge their Rakuten Cash with Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash and Ethereum for free. Rakuten Cash can be used not only for Rakuten’s many online services, but also at physical locations throughout Japan, making the three virtual currencies more “real” than ever.

Rakuten Wallet? Rakuten Cash? Rakuten Pay? What does it all mean?

Rakuten Wallet is one of Rakuten’s many innovative fintech companies. Launched in 2017 as a “virtual currency exchange service,” it allows users to store, trade and even exchange Rakuten Points for Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash and Ethereum.

Until now, when Rakuten Wallet users converted cryptocurrencies into Japanese yen and wired them to a bank account, a 300-yen fee would be charged for the transfer. Since last month’s announcement, users can now convert crypto assets into yen and charge them to Rakuten Cash for free.

https://rakuten.today/blog/rakuten-wallet-cryptocurrency-rakuten-cash.html

[FlankerStan]

RADCOM CTO Rami Amit and Rakuten Mobile CTO Tareq Amin

RADCOM CTO Rami Amit and Rakuten Mobile CTO Tareq Amin discuss the critical role of network assurance capabilities in running the Japanese operator's innovative, cloud-native 5G network and highlight the functionality needed to operate next-generation architectures.

Recorded February 2021 using TelecomTV’s Smart Studio service

[FlankerStan]

Strathclyde partners with Rakuten Mobile to further research on autonomous networks

9 March 2021

The University of Strathclyde and Rakuten Mobile, Inc. announced today a research partnership to realise the vision of developing a unified approach for a fully autonomous mobile network that will be able to monitor, repair and adapt to future use requirements independently.

Rakuten Mobile is Japan’s newest mobile network operator, having launched the full-scale commercial service on the world’s first fully-virtualised cloud-native mobile network in April 2020. The company also plans to create a fully-autonomous network that will reduce maintenance costs and enable new functionality.

Evolutionary algorithms

The research partnership will be led by Dr Pierre Imai, Head of Research & Innovation at Rakuten Mobile and Dr Marc Roper, Reader in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences, who will lead the University of Strathclyde’s involvement in developing and evaluating the necessary evolutionary algorithms needed to create a fully-autonomous network.

“Traditionally, tasks in areas such as network monitoring, anomaly detection, optimisation and problem solving have been carried out by human engineers, but with the rollout of 5G and IoT, and the massive increase in the number of connected devices and applications they are expected to bring, this will no longer be practical,” said Dr Pierre Imai.

“Autonomous networks will play a key role in adapting the networks of the future, and we are excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with the world class team at the University of Strathclyde on research into the field of autonomous networks.”

“Because Rakuten Mobile’s network is already fully-virtualised and cloud-native, it is ideally positioned to accommodate the changes arising from the introduction of evolutionary algorithms into the system,” said Dr Marc Roper.

https://www.strath.ac.uk/whystrathclyde/news/strathclydetopa…

[FlankerStan]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 67.390.355 von FlankerStan am 10.03.21 08:31:52

About the new Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI service plan

The Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI service plan is an enhanced version of the Rakuten UN-LIMIT V plan with a simple fee structure that flexibly adjusts in line with customer data use. The new service plan caters to the diverse needs of customers, from light users who consume very little data, to heavy users who don’t want to have to worry about their monthly data use. As with the previous plan, subscribers can use both 4G and 5G services*2, in addition to free domestic calls when using the Rakuten Link communication app*3.

With the new Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI service plan, the monthly rate will be determined by the amount of data used each month. When total monthly data usage is 1GB or less, the fee will be zero yen for a customer’s first line. If the total monthly data usage is between 1GB and 3GB, the fee will be 980 yen, and for total monthly data usage between 3GB and 20GB, the fee will be 1,980 yen for a customer’s first line. Customers whose data usage exceeds 20GB can use unlimited data*4 for 2,980 yen per month. For customers with a second line, total monthly data usage of 3GB or less will be charged at 980 yen.

Current Rakuten UN-LIMIT V customers will be automatically upgraded to Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI on April 1, 2021. New applications made through the Rakuten Mobile official website or in Rakuten Mobile shops from April 1, 2021, and onwards will be for the Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI price plan.

Rakuten Mobile has built the world’s first fully virtualized cloud native mobile network*5. This network architecture allows for substantial reductions in capital investment and operation costs, enabling the operator to pass on savings to subscribers through a simple and affordable service plan. Powered by cutting-edge technology, Rakuten Mobile will continue to expand coverage for its network nationwide, offer a wide variety of products and provide new services leveraging the Rakuten Ecosystem and Rakuten Points loyalty points program to deliver greater levels of convenience and comfort to customers.

*1 One line per customer. One application only. Separate charges apply for product purchases, option fees, calls and others. Applications for the campaign will close on April 7, 2021.

*2 4G service can be used in the Rakuten network area, the domestic roaming partner network areas and the overseas roaming partner network areas. 5G service is available in certain areas only. A 5G-compatible device is required to use the 5G service.

*3 Excludes certain numbers. When not using the Rakuten Link app, domestic calls will be charged at 20 yen/30 seconds.

*4 Unlimited high-speed data when connected to Rakuten base stations. To provide a fair service, restrictions on transmission speed may be implemented. Please check the coverage areas. In domestic roaming areas, after using the allocated 5GB, unlimited data is available at a maximum speed of 1Mbps. Transmission speed is best effort (the maximum speed of the standard). Actual transmission speeds may vary depending on the network environment.

*5 For a large scale commercial mobile network (as of October 1, 2019). Research: Stella Associa

Quelle: siehe letztes Posting

[FlankerStan]

Rakuten Mobile UN-LIMIT Applications Surpass 3 Million

Tokyo, March 9, 2021 - Rakuten Mobile, Inc. today announced that the total cumulative number of applications for the Rakuten UN-LIMIT service plan launched on April 8, 2020, has surpassed 3 million, as of today March 9, 2021.

Applications for the Rakuten UN-LIMIT service plan opened on March 3, 2020. By June 30, the number of applications surpassed 1 million, followed by 2 million on December 30. Since the announcement of the new Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI service plan on January 29, 2021, the number of applications for the service plan has grown considerably, surpassing 3 million on March 9, 2021. Applications for the one-year free campaign will close on April 7, 2021*1.

https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/press/2021/03…

[FlankerStan]

The answer is simple: Only Rakuten Mobile – all other talking about only

"Cloud-native operational and business support systems (OSS/BSS)
Everyone talks about cloud-native operational and business support systems (OSS/BSS), but how many communications service providers (CSPs) use them?"

https://www.redhat.com/de/resources/cloud-native-oss-bss-tm-…

[FlankerStan]

Financial Wellness App Provider Douugh Reportedly Forms Partnership With E-Commerce Platform Rakuten

March 7, 2021 @ 10:32 pm By Samantha Hurst

Douugh, an Australia-based AI-driven financial wellness app provider, has reportedly formed a new partnership with e-commerce platform, Rakuten. Itnews reported that through the partnership, Douugh will use Rakuten as a channel to increase mobile app downloads and fast track customer acquisitions.

While sharing more details about the partnership, Douugh’s founder and CEO, Andy Taylor, stated Rakuten will bring “distinctive marketing solutions” to the Douugh platform. The partnership will also allow Douugh to expand its reach through retail offers, influencers and cashback rewards.

Founded in 2016, Douugh stated is on a mission to democratize banking, developing a bank account with a “brain.” The platform is designed to help users live financially healthier.

“The Douugh bank account offers full banking functionality, complete with the government guarantee on deposits up to $250,000 (and a shiny Douugh Mastercard Debit Card). You’ll be able to send and request money, split bills, create savings Jars, and connect all your existing bank accounts and credit cards – so Douugh can collate, organize and inform you about your spending habits.”

Douugh also noted that it is a coach, mentor, and assistant in one. It learns how users spend to make sense of where they are at, compared to where you want to be.

https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2021/03/172932-financial-we…

[FlankerStan]

Rakuten Intelligence for retailers and brands

Rakuten Intelligence for retailers and brands

It’s not enough to rely strictly on your own internal key performance indicators. In e-commerce today, success lies with those who are more effective than their competitors, which requires an understanding of your own performance relative to the market. Only Rakuten Intelligence keeps you ahead of the competition with the essential data you need to win in the dynamic and increasingly critical e-commerce channel.

The largest e-commerce panel: Millions of shoppers under measurement.

The most comprehensive shopper data anywhere: Longitudinal behavior from item-level transactions across all devices.

Benchmark performance and drivers: A complete view of e-commerce, across any brand and hundreds of retailers.

https://www.rakutenintelligence.com/industries/retailers

[FlankerStan]

Mehrheit der Deutschen nutzt werbefinanzierte Streaming-Dienste

8. März 2021

https://www.adzine.de/2021/03/mehrheit-der-deutschen-nutzt-w…

[FlankerStan]

Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten RCP have a gigantic lead over competitors

Rakuten Mobile on 5G transformation: ‘Writing code to address automation is a critical thing’

Sean Kinney, Editor in Chief
FEBRUARY 26, 2021

In conversation with Rakuten Group CTO Tareq Amin

Q: In describing your vision for network automation, you’ve used the analogy of Level 4 autonomous driving for vehicles. Could you give an overview of to what degree your network operations are currently benefiting from automation and describe how you get from where you are today to this future Level 4 degree of network autonomy?

A: When we looked at building Rakuten Mobile network with a fully-virtualized architecture, we also thought that we had a remarkable opportunity to transform the foundation of what we call our data pipeline. In that context, legacy systems such as operations subsystems, orchestration and many others, we had a great opportunity to fundamentally transform the thinking of how the construct of all of these comes together to provide true telemetry, real-time performance management, move away from counter-based way of monitoring and managing network to real-time customer experience. The journey started with a complete fundamental transformation of the OSS layer. We went from monolithic boxes—from fault [and]performance management, configuration, accounting, security, workflow—into one modular architecture, and what a remarkable thing that we have seen when we have done this.

I’ve always talked in the industry about this dream towards Level 4 autonomy in networks and today…I feel this is more pragmatic reality, more of a tactical approach. I am not underestimating the complexity that we need to go through to really achieve that vision. But wouldn’t it be exciting if the industry we’re in today talks about the concepts of autonomous networks the same way that you hear in autonomous cars. I think now that the excitement that we see is that the reality is in reach. I’ve always talked about this. I really believe we are within a 24-month window to be able to achieve a considerable level of advancements in the concepts of autonomous networks.

If you look at Rakuten Mobile today, I would say we’re about 55-60% into the journey but the good news for me personally is that the foundation has already been built. That was the tough part. The tough part was just getting through these early stages of how you extract telemetry from the virtual network functions, or from our containers, or from our elements whether it is radio, core or other elements, in real time; how you ingest them into large big data platform; how you develop the AI and machine learning that sits on top of this architecture to be able to make decisive decisions on whether it is network isolation, healing, elasticity and many others. I think all in all I believe the hard work is behind us, which is about the foundation, building and now most of our focus is just about continu[ing]to really emphasize the development and the advancements of the use cases on top of this foundation.

https://www.rcrwireless.com/20210226/5g/rakuten-mobile-on-5g…