The less bumpy way to ride e-commerce = Rakuten - Die letzten 30 Beiträge

[FlankerStan]

RAN Intelligent Controller Market to Grow at CAGR of 59.4% through 2033

RAN Intelligent Controller Market to Grow at CAGR of 59.4% through 2033 - Rising Demand for Network Virtualization to Bolster Growth

The RAN intelligent controller market size is anticipated to grow from USD 349.45 Million in 2023 to USD 37,005.94 Million in 10 years: The market ought to witness a positive growth rate owing to increasing penetration of 5G technology across the globe.

May 07, 2024 06:30 ET| Source: The Brainy Insights

[FlankerStan]

E5G for Enterprises: Navigating the Journey from Hype to Reality

01.04.2024

Join James Dartnell, Director, Corporate Communications, EMEA at Rakuten Symphony as he sits down with Mahesh Kasar, Vice President of Sales, APAC for Rakuten Symphony and Dr Tomek Gerszberg, Group Head of Future Networks for Axiata as they discuss the potential for enterprise 5G in an insightful discussion at the Rakuten Booth Theater.

[FlankerStan]

Rakuten Rakuma Sets Sights on US Market with eBay Trial

- Trial with eBay enables cross-border sales from Japan to the US and overseas

Tokyo, May 8, 2024 - Rakuten Group, Inc. today announced that its community-powered marketplace app Rakuten Rakuma has started listing products on eBay from select Rakuma Official Shops on a trial basis. Users of eBay.com will now be able to purchase a variety of re-use items listed on Rakuma Official Shops starting today.

https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2024/0508_01.html…

[FlankerStan]

Making significant strides in deploying its mobile network using the “Platinum Band” in Japan

Certainly! In May 2024, Rakuten Mobile is making significant strides in deploying its mobile network using the “Platinum Band” in Japan. Here are the key details:

Platinum Band Allocation:
The 700 MHz band, also known as the “platinum band,” was allocated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on October 23, 20231.
This band has unique properties, allowing it to maintain a strong signal even in the presence of obstacles like buildings or indoors.

Deployment and Technology:
Rakuten Mobile will deploy base stations using mobile network radios developed by Nokia Solutions & Networks G.K. in the 700 MHz platinum band.
These Nokia mobile network radios are small, lightweight, and energy-efficient.
Leveraging its expertise in building the world’s first fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network compatible with Open RAN, Rakuten Mobile aims to promptly start operating base stations in this band.
By using a next-generation Distributed Unit (DU) developed by its subsidiary Rakuten Symphony, Rakuten Mobile can easily deploy the radio in its virtualized, Open RAN network.
The newly deployed antennas compatible with both the 1.7 GHz band and the 700 MHz band will coexist alongside existing 1.7 GHz radios, allowing for prompt operation through software updates.

Benefits and Customer Satisfaction:
Rakuten Mobile aims to realize a high-quality mobile network by optimally combining the allocated 700 MHz platinum band with its existing 4G and 5G frequency bands and roaming.
The deployment will start in urban areas with high user volume and traffic.
Rakuten Symphony will collaborate with Nokia to provide these radios to customers in select markets worldwide.

In summary, Rakuten Mobile’s deployment of the platinum band aims to enhance network capacity, improve user experience (especially indoors), and provide cost-effective services across Japan.

[FlankerStan]

Rakuten CEO: Hope to be EBITDA breakeven with mobile business this year

Mickey Mikitani, the CEO of Rakuten, speaks to CNBC’s Arjun Kharpal at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

TUE, FEB 27 20248:53 AM EST

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/02/27/rakuten-ceo-hope-to-be…

[FlankerStan]

Global retail e-commerce sales 2014-2027

Feb 6, 2024

In 2023, global retail e-commerce sales reached an estimated 5.8 trillion U.S. dollars. Projections indicate a 39 percent growth in this figure over the coming years, with expectations to surpass eight trillion dollars by 2027.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/379046/worldwide-retail-…

Feb 6, 2024

In 2023, global retail e-commerce sales reached an estimated 5.8 trillion U.S. dollars. Projections indicate a 39 percent growth in this figure over the coming years, with expectations to surpass eight trillion dollars by 2027.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/379046/worldwide-retail-…

[FlankerStan]

What’s your estimate for the valuation of Viber?

Here’s a breakdown of the most popular messaging services by active monthly users:

Rank Messaging Service Number of Active Monthly Users

1 WhatsApp 2.4 billion
2 Facebook Messenger 2.1 billion
3 WeChat 1.2 billion
4 Viber 823 million
5 Telegram 500 million
6 Snapchat 347 million
7 LINE 178 million
8 Discord 170 million
9 QQ 57 million
10 KakaoTalk 49 million
11 Signal 40 million

https://explodingtopics.com/blog/messaging-apps-stats

[FlankerStan]

Advertising Business

Advertising Business

Revenue in the advertising business grew to 206.5 billion yen in FY2023, achieving double-digit growth of 12.9% YoY and surpassing the full-year sales revenue target of 200 billion yen.

[FlankerStan]

Switch to Rakuten Mobile from DOCOMO—no MNP Reservation Number

May 05, 2024

In this video, I'll guide you through the process of transferring your Docomo carrier to Rakuten Mobile without needing an MNP (Mobile Number Portability) reservation number. Whether you're looking to switch carriers or simply want to explore your options, this step-by-step tutorial will make the transition smooth and hassle-free. From understanding the requirements to completing the transfer, I've got you covered with all the essential information. Watch now and make your move to Rakuten Mobile seamlessly!

[FlankerStan]

AI and Rakuten Ichiba

MS AI Assistant (Beta): This AI-powered store management tool is accessible to merchants via the Rakuten Merchant Server (RMS).

Features of RMS AI Assistant (Beta) include:
Product description generation: Automatically creating compelling product descriptions.
Product image processing: Enhancing product images.
Text generation for user inquiries: Crafting responses to customer queries.
Data analysis of sales trends: Helping merchants make informed decisions.
AI chatbot for store operations: Assisting with common questions.

By leveraging these AI features, merchants on Rakuten Ichiba can enhance efficiency and reduce workload hours.

AI-nization: Rakuten is actively driving the use of AI across its entire business.

For Rakuten Ichiba, this means improving the customer shopping experience through AI while simultaneously empowering merchants and realizing operational efficiencies.

The goal is to strengthen connections with customers and drive better results.

In summary, Rakuten Ichiba is embracing AI to enhance its platform, benefitting both shoppers and merchants. If you’re a merchant on Rakuten, these AI tools could significantly improve your business operations!

[FlankerStan]

Rakuten India Announces the 4th Edition of RPC '24

Read more At:
https://aninews.in/news/business/rakuten-india-announces-the…

[FlankerStan]

Positive financial performance in FY2023

Overall, Rakuten Mobile’s focus on improving ARPU and subscriber numbers has contributed to its positive financial performance in FY2023. The company aims to achieve self-funding at the group level by leveraging the mobile business’s financial performance along with cash flow from other segments

[FlankerStan]

Why ads increase the ARPU of Rakuten

Oliver Matthew: .... question on Mobile. I've been using the service reception is very good in Tokyo, thank you. But I'd like to check what you mean about the ad revenue. I don't really see ads. So I'd like -- could you explain more about how it works or how you think it will work? That's the first question.

Hiroshi Mikitani: Oliver, you use iPhone right?

Oliver Matthew: No, I'm actually using the Xiaomi RedMi. Sorry.

Hiroshi Mikitani: No. So now we introduced the rich communication service called Link. So people who call on Link, who message on Link it is SMS and also the free voice. And then in exchange we have two things. We can utilize their data. And also we will be able to display the ads. And we are really personalizing ads on - based on our CNDA database code. We have a consumer database for everybody and there Rakuten each display ads are connected. Number one.

And we are sending so much traffic to our ecosystem. And if you calculate that so if you calculate the gross revenue we are making from our ecosystem it is already ¥2,769 which is we are not counting as our ARPU. So maybe we can make this like affiliate model a little bit and because we are sending -- creating a lot of the value through the other services.

So basically ad is - and also we periodically send an e-mail to Rakuten Mobile users. In the future probably we will integrate the Rakuten Pay SDK into Rakuten Link app. So Rakuten Link app will become super app for Rakuten ecosystem. There are so many display opportunities because 40 million people a day will come to our website. And we also can include the Link. And I should say, I assume the line ARPU which most of the money is coming from ads and maybe some will understand it's about ¥300 per sub I think. So I think it's kind of a reasonable to say we can probably get close to what noise making using our data and the engagement level.

Oliver Matthew: Okay. So I get it. I haven't been using the Link app.

Hiroshi Mikitani: Please, please, please use it.

Source: Last Conference Call

[FlankerStan]

CAGR of 33.40% from 2024 to 2033

The global open RAN market size was valued at USD 1.8 billion in 2023 and is expected to hit around USD 32 billion by 2033, poised to grow at a CAGR of 33.40% from 2024 to 2033.

www.precedenceresearch.com/open-ran-market

[FlankerStan]

Like Rakuten and 1&1

Sangwon Seo, CEO of Stage X, said: “Rakuten Mobile and Stage X are the latest mobile network operators representing their respective countries, and together with Rakuten Symphony we wish to continue broad cooperation. Rakuten Mobile built and deployed the world’s first fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network with a modern infrastructure that ensures stable telecommunication services as the newest mobile network operator in Japan. As Stage X builds out its infrastructure to provide 5G services in the 28 GHz spectrum, we look forward to working with Rakuten and learning from their experience across a wide range of areas.”

Stage X, which has been awarded spectrum that will enable it to be Korea’s fourth mobile carrier, plans to launch nationwide mobile network services in the first half of 2025, Korean press reported.

https://www.rcrwireless.com/20240503/5g/rakuten-mobile-signs…

[FlankerStan]

Addition to my last posting

JPY 300 per month in terms of ad revenue = JPY 3,600 per year in terms of ad revenue = about $25 in terms of ad revenue per year from every subscriber

When Rakuten reach 10 million subscriber during 2025 = a quarter billion $ from ad revenue.

When Rakuten reach 20 million subscriber during the years after 2025 = a half billion $ from ad revenue.

All analysts I ever had read ignored this point.

[FlankerStan]

Strong ad revenues from Mobile

Hiroshi Mikitani on the last conference call: "Especially ad, of course, revenue in the Link is going to increase. And we believe that is going to take place and already for iPhone basically it's going to be open on RCS. So there will be some revenue that we'll be able to drive out of this. So we have high expectation on this. So in the future per PET capita JPY 300 per month in terms of ad revenue is what we are trying to achieve. And we would like to do most."

[FlankerStan]

The future of the RAN is open

The future of the RAN is open. An open RAN is more than Open RAN, and benefits all operators and the entire RAN ecosystem, even those who are still on the sidelines. Openness in the RAN starts with open interfaces and disaggregation but goes beyond this.
An open RAN has to be an energy-efficient RAN.

Energy efficiency has become a key requirement for new RAN deployments. Opening the RAN cannot be done by sacrificing sustainability. On the contrary, energy efficiency has to continue to improve as the RAN becomes more automated, disaggregated and virtualized. We looked at energy efficiency in Open RAN in the context of wireless networks in the report “Energy efficiency in wireless: RAN and beyond” on how sustainability is an opportunity to decrease costs without compromising network performance. See also “Is Open RAN more energy efficient than traditional RAN?”, “Energy efficiency in 6G”, and “Will Open RAN increase power efficiency in the RAN?” a Sparring Partners with Deutsche Telekom

Open RAN needs a new ecosystem. It is here.

Read our Deep Dive report “The Open RAN ecosystem gathers steam. The future RAN is open” where we tried to address many of the outstanding questions, with the help of eleven vendors and operators: NEC, Vodafone, Ciena, Analog, Fujitsu, Rakuten Symphony, Picocom, Dish, Verizon, TIP, and Radisys. You can get the report for free, and read or watch the conversations here.

https://senzafili.com/open-ran/

[FlankerStan]

Systemic Operations for Dynamic & Virtualized Environment

April 01, 2024

In this session we hear from Hiren Joshi, Head of Telecom Business Applications & IT Systems at Rakuten Mobile about how Rakuten Mobile has embarked on a unique journey to transition from plan to build to operate and now to optimize in it’s operational journey.

[FlankerStan]

Get Ready to Meet Okaimono Panda: Rakuten Presents New Anime Series Starring Beloved Mascot

Get Ready to Meet Okaimono Panda: Rakuten Presents New Anime Series Starring Beloved Mascot

- First-ever TV anime series featuring Rakuten’s official mascot due in fall 2024
- Rakuten Panda! teaser video now available

Tokyo, May 2, 2024 - Rakuten Group, Inc. today announced the launch of an anime series starring the company’s official mascot, Okaimono Panda, set to premiere in the fall of 2024. Content production for the series will be led by Rakuten Content Central, a company specializing in intellectual property and media franchising.

https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2024/0502_02.html

[FlankerStan]

Elliott and Warren Buffett Are Now Both Bullish on Japan

Hedge fund Elliott has built a position in Sumitomo, joining Berkshire Hathaway. The trading firm’s shares are up 10% this week.

May 2, 2024 10:38 am ET

Activist and value investors are converging on Japan. The smart money may be onto something: With U.S. shares suddenly under pressure from high rates again, hitching a ride on a long-term, structural trend like Japan’s corporate-governance reforms may make good sense.

https://www.wsj.com/finance/stocks/elliott-and-warren-buffet…

[FlankerStan]

Stage X partners Rakuten units on greenfield rollout

May 2, 2024

The agreement includes sharing industry knowledge and expertise with Rakuten Mobile and the delivery of services from Rakuten Symphony.

https://www.mobileworldlive.com/rakuten/stage-x-partners-rak…

[FlankerStan]

Stage X picked as new mobile carrier in Korea

Posted : 2024-01-31 21:53

A bidding agent for Stage X arrives at IT Venture Tower in Seoul, Wednesday, for an auction to pick the operator of the 28 gigahertz band of the fifth-generation network in Korea.

A local consortium was selected as the new operator of the 28 gigahertz (GHz) band of the fifth-generation network (5G) in South Korea on Wednesday, the science ministry said, becoming the country's fourth mobile carrier.

Stage X, a consortium of Stage Five, a communications affiliate of tech giant Kakao, and other unidentified companies, will be the fourth operator of the 5G network.
Currently, three major mobile carriers — SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus — are the country's sole operators of the network.

Stage X won the 28 GHz band on the fifth day of the auction against Sejong Telecom and Mobile Consortium, writing in the highest bid of 430.1 billion won ($322.1 million), according to the Ministry of Science and ICT.

In the previous auction in 2018, the country's three major mobile carriers won the same spectrum in the low 200 billion-won range.
However, these three operators lost the license for the new 28 GHz spectrum last year due to insufficient investment.

As a response, the government has taken steps to introduce a new operator to foster competition in an industry traditionally dominated by the three major carriers.
Stage X will be required to build 6,000 base stations nationwide within the first three years and implement measures to address frequency congestion and interference.

"We will work to become a new brand in the communications market and facilitate fresh and innovative changes in the market by boosting the 5G network service," Stage X CEO Seo Sang-won said.

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2024/02/133_368005.htm…

[FlankerStan]

Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Symphony and Stage X Sign Strategic Partnership MoU

Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Symphony and Stage X Sign Strategic Partnership MoU for Technological and Business Collaboration
- The newest mobile network operators of Japan and South Korea to seek out strategic technology and business collaboration opportunities

Seoul and Tokyo, May 2, 2024 – Rakuten Mobile, Inc., Rakuten Symphony, Inc., and South Korean mobile network operator STAGE X Co., Ltd. announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. The MoU aims to establish a comprehensive framework for strategic collaboration in technology and business exchange between Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Symphony and Stage X, South Korea’s new greenfield mobile network operator preparing to provide 5G services in the 28 GHz spectrum.

Bringing together the newest mobile network operators in Japan and Korea, the MoU focuses on technological collaboration and business synergies between the three companies. The agreement includes the sharing of industry knowledge and expertise from Rakuten Mobile, as well as the provision of industry leading telecom solutions from Rakuten Symphony. Discussions will also encompass various aspects of Stage X's upcoming projects ranging from business operations to technical areas. In addition, the three companies will pursue cooperation considering expansion to mid-band frequency and the development of a 6G-based national network from a long-term perspective.

Sangwon Seo, CEO of Stage X, commented: "Rakuten Mobile and Stage X are the latest mobile network operators representing their respective countries, and together with Rakuten Symphony we wish to continue broad cooperation. Rakuten Mobile built and deployed the world’s first fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network*1 with a modern infrastructure that ensures stable telecommunication services as the newest mobile network operator in Japan. As Stage X builds out its infrastructure to provide 5G services in the 28 GHz spectrum, we look forward to working with Rakuten and learning from their experience across a wide range of areas."

Sharad Sriwastawa, Co-CEO of Rakuten Mobile and President of Rakuten Symphony, commented: “We are excited about collaborating with South Korea’s newest mobile network operator. I believe we share significant synergies, and this MoU will see us leveraging our expertise to create industry-changing opportunities for Stage X.”

Stage X is a consortium company that is gearing up to introduce differentiated Real 5G telecommunication services in the 28 GHz spectrum, offering consumers high-speed, ultra-low latency and ultra-connectivity features.

About Stage X
Stage X is meticulously preparing for telecommunication infrastructure readiness, focusing on security and system stability, as a new entrant in the telecommunications service industry. Stage X is gearing up to introduce differentiated Real 5G telecommunication services in the 28GHz spectrum, offering consumers high-speed, ultra-low latency and ultra-connectivity features.

https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/press/2024/05…

[FlankerStan]

Extremely low costs for Platinium Band

Rakuten told investors on a conference call that deploying services in the 900-MHz band could be done at “extremely low” cost.
https://disruptive.asia/rakuten-mobile-platinum-band-2024/

[FlankerStan]

Fast development will happen

Spectrum in the 700 MHz platinum band offers better indoor building penetration and enables better connectivity indoors and in underground locations. Rakuten Mobile plans to gradually deploy platinum band services using its existing network of base stations, starting with urban areas with a high volume of users and traffic.

[FlankerStan]

Strong results of Rakuten Securities

April 30, 2024

RAKUTEN GROUP, INC.

Announcement of Financial Results of Rakuten Securities, Inc., a Consolidated Subsidiary

Click here for Timely Disclosure of material information for investors

Rakuten Securities, Inc. announces its consolidated financial reports (based on J-GAAP) for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Rakuten Group plans to announce consolidated financial reports for the three months ended March 31, 2024, on May 14, 2024 (Tuesday). In addition, Rakuten Group announces financial results based on IFRS while the attached financial results of Rakuten Securities, Inc. are based on J-GAAP, which may recognize some transactions differently from IFRS.

global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2024/0430_11.html

[FlankerStan]

Results of Amazon are a good sign for Rakuten

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/30/amazon-amzn-q1-earnings-repo…

[FlankerStan]

Rakuten Mobile Commences Radio Frequency Testing for 700 MHz "Platinum Band"

Rakuten Mobile Commences Radio Frequency Testing for 700 MHz "Platinum Band"
- Targeting early launch of commercial service with superior network quality

Tokyo, April 30, 2024 – Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s newest and most modern mobile network, today began radio frequency testing for its 700 MHz spectrum, also known as the “platinum band, allocated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Rakuten Mobile is preparing to launch base station operations using the 700 MHz band, drawing on its expertise gained building Japan’s first fully virtualized cloud-native mobile network based on Open RAN standards in the 1.7GHz band. After completing radio frequency testing, the company is aiming for the early roll out of commercial service using the 700 MHz platinum band.

Since the full-scale launch of its mobile carrier service in April 2020, Rakuten Mobile has continued to enhance network quality and coverage through the build-out of 4G and 5G base stations in addition to roaming agreements with its roaming partner. On top of achieving population ratio coverage of 99.9%, the company has consistently been recognized by independent research organizations like Opensignal, a global provider of network experience and market performance insights, who named Rakuten Mobile a leader among Japan’s mobile operators in five network performance categories.

Spectrum in the 700 MHz platinum band offers better indoor building penetration and enables better connectivity indoors and in underground locations. Rakuten Mobile plans to gradually deploy platinum band services using its existing network of base stations, starting with urban areas with a high volume of users and traffic.

Rakuten Mobile is committed to further enhancing its network in Japan and to providing customers with best-in-class mobile services while keeping costs controlled through strategic initiatives such as these.

https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/press/2024/04…

[FlankerStan]

Rakuten is one of the owners of BlueVine

Top Fintech Software Development Companies - Updated List APRIL 2024

Bluevine

Bluevine provides businesses with easy access to working capital through online loans and lines of credit. Leveraging technology that analyzes accounting data from sources allows them to assess applicants instantly and provide funding promptly.

Bluevine offers tailored solutions that simplify the process of obtaining capital for businesses. Their platform seamlessly integrates with accounting software used by small to sized businesses. With support from leading investors such as Lightspeed Ventures and Square Bluevine is positioned as a player, in the fintech industry.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-fintech-software-developm…