Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket

 

Starting from FY2024, the company aims to increase self-funding at the Group level by:

- Improving the mobile business’s financial performance.
- Leveraging free cash flow generated from the Internet Services segment.
- Utilizing cash flow generated from the FinTech segment.

The company maintains financial stability through a disciplined financial policy  

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!  

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!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhth2eGizDc
 

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.  

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
 

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/...etail-e-commerce-sales/
 

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/...bile-business-this-year.html

 

Tech Experts discuss Rakuten’s unique AI approach at MWC Barcelona 2024

4 days ago

Continuing its dominant run as the telco industry’s buzziest topic, AI was a key theme throughout Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona. Throughout the four-day event, Rakuten’s booth was a hub for AI discussions, demos and forward-looking insights. Headlining the company’s booth theater on Day 3 was a special AI Showcase featuring three experts from Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Symphony and the Rakuten Group, who came together to share their unique perspectives on today’s most transformative technology.

In a panel session moderated by Appledore Research’s Robert Curran, Rahul Atri, OSS BU president at Rakuten Symphony; Madhukiran Medithe, Chief data and AI officer at Rakuten Mobile; and Ting Cai, Chief Data Officer at Rakuten Group explored the impact of AI in revolutionizing operations in telco and enhancing customer experience.

Born from a mission to share Rakuten Mobile’s pioneering mobile network technology with telecom operators worldwide, Rakuten Symphony is an industry leader in telco automation and AI. And through its unique embrace of virtualization, Rakuten Mobile has offered a perfect playground to apply AI.
From a Rakuten Group perspective, mentions Cai, the company is on a mission of AI-nization, leveraging AI as much as possible across the Rakuten Ecosystem to empower clients, partners and employees.

https://rakuten.today/blog/...-ai-approach-at-mwc-barcelona-2024.html
 

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.  

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/...&category=corp
 

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M90rnFZ60dA&t=87s

 

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
 

The RAN Intelligent Controller Market Size accounted for USD 165 Million in 2022 and is projected to achieve a market size of USD 15,846 Million by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 58.3% from 2023 to 2032.

Key Companies Profiled: Broadcom, Fujitsu, Cisco Systems, Inc., Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Juniper Networks, Inc., Intel Corporation, Mavenir, Nokia, NEC Corporation, Parallel Wireless, and Rakuten Symphony Singapore Pte. Ltd.

https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/...gent-controller-market
 

https://pay.rakuten.co.jp/campaign/2024/0501-ichiba/
 

Rakuten Mobile and JTOWER Collaborating on Infrastructure Sharing at More Than 100 Facilities and Buildings
- Accelerating indoor mobile network development by utilizing infrastructure sharing

Tokyo, May 9, 2024 - Rakuten Mobile, Inc. and JTOWER Inc. announced today that Rakuten Mobile has adopted JTOWER’s indoor infrastructure sharing solutions for its network in more than 100 facilities and buildings across Japan.

JTOWER’s infrastructure sharing solutions enable mobile carriers to build out their networks in a shorter period of time and with lower costs than if they were to set up their own facilities. Rakuten Mobile is utilizing these solutions inside shopping facilities, office buildings and other indoor locations.

Rakuten Mobile started using JTOWER's solutions in January 2020 and the number of installations has continued to expand. In October 2021, JTOWER and Rakuten Mobile formed a capital alliance and have been strengthening their collaboration centered on shared infrastructure usage.

JTOWER and Rakuten Mobile are committed to continuing to strengthen their collaboration and promote network development utilizing infrastructure sharing in order to provide best-in-class mobile services.

https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/press/2024/0509_01/
 

https://www.google.com/finance/quote/5838:TYO?window=MAX  

The Philippine Star  
April 2, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Rakuten Viber, the leading global platform for private and secure messaging and voice-based communication, has partnered with AI studio Inflection to bring its cutting-edge conversational AI expertise to Viber users in the Philippines.

Filipino users now have direct access to Pi, enhancing their messaging experience through advanced conversational capabilities.

With a name that stands for personal intelligence, Pi brings an exceptionally empathetic and supportive personality to conversations with users. It is powered by Inflection’s in-house-built Inflection-2.5 large language model which is competitive with the world’s best foundation models on key industry benchmarks.

Together with Inflection, backed by $1.5 billion of investment from major investors including Microsoft, Nvidia, Bill Gates, and Eric Schmidt, the messaging app dares to envision a future where users can leverage the power of artificial intelligence seamlessly and effectively at their fingertips.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2024/04/02/...nal-ai-services-users
 

February 26, 2024

The ladies’ room is a place for sharing secrets, like the secret to saving money when you shop. With Rakuten, you get Cash Back at thousands of your favorite stores. Unbelievable.

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

David Curry
Updated: January 25, 2024

What was the market size of the retail app industry?
The market size of the retail app industry was $3.59 trillion in 2022, an increase of 8.1% on the previous year.

Which retail app generates the most revenue?
Amazon is the largest ecommerce company by revenue, generating $513 billion in 2022. Alibaba is the largest in terms of volume, reporting $1.3 trillion GMV last year.

https://www.businessofapps.com/data/retail-app-report/
 

Rakuten Bank starts Internet-Banking-Service for customers of JR Japan Group

May 9, 2024

https://www.rakuten-bank.co.jp/press/2024/240509.html

 

Affiliate Marketing Statistics For 2024 (Growth & Trends)

By Shubham Singh / January 12, 2024

With a market size of $27.8 billion, Affiliate Marketing is growing at a very handsome rate. The industry is expected to reach $48 billion by 2027.

The Global Affiliate Marketing Industry Is Worth $27.8 Billion.

That is a 17.8% YoY growth. The industry is expected to flourish and reach a valuation of $32.3 billion in 2024 and $48 billion by 2027.

Here is a table showing the affiliate marketing market size over the years:

      Year§Global Market Size (USD Billion)
      2016§$13 billion
      2017§$14.1 billion
      2018§$15.3 billion
      2019§$16.6 billion
      2020§$17.2 billion
      2021§$20.3 billion
      2022§$23.6 billion
      2023§$27.8 billion
     2024*§$32.3 billion
     2025*§$37.3 billion
     2026*§$42.6 billion
     2027*§$48.0 billion

https://www.demandsage.com/affiliate-marketing-statistics/

 

https://www.rakuten-sec.co.jp/web/company/...se/pdf/press20240510.pdf
 

Rakuten Medical Announces Poster Presentation and Booth Exhibition at ASCO 2024 Annual Meeting

- Poster will highlight interim evaluation update of photoimmunotherapy based on Alluminoxtm platform using ASP-1929 in combination with anti-PD-1 -

Japanese treating physicians will present a poster on the latest data on photoimmunotherapy in clinical practice in Japan for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma Disclaimer: Rakuten Medical's therapies based on Alluminoxtm platform are investigational outside of Japan.

SAN DIEGO, May 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rakuten Medical, Inc., a global biotechnology company developing and commercializing precision, cell-targeting photoimmunotherapy based on its proprietary Alluminoxtm platform, today announced that it will present a poster at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (ASCO 2024), which will be held in Chicago, Illinois from May 31 through June 4, 2024.

Read more at: https://www.lelezard.com/en/news-21372626.html

 

Rakuten Insight Appoints Steve Lonergan Regional Head Americas

New York, May 09, 2024 – Rakuten Insight Global, Inc., a wholly-owned online market research subsidiary of Rakuten Group, Inc., has appointed Steve Lonergan as Regional Head Americas. In this pivotal role, Lonergan will be responsible for spearheading operations and driving sales growth in the Americas region.

Lonergan brings over 20 years of experience in the market research industry, having previously served as Vice President of Sales at Dynata. With a proven track record of success, Lonergan has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a deep understanding of business dynamics in the market research landscape.

Adam Birss, Executive Officer at Rakuten Insight, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Steve to the Rakuten Insight Global family. His extensive expertise aligns perfectly with our strategic vision of expanding our presence in the Americas region and providing our clients with a reliable one-stop online data solution for Asia, US & Beyond.”

“I am excited to join the Rakuten Insight family,” said Lonergan. “I look forward to working with the team to drive growth and further enhance our position as a leader in the market research industry.”

About Rakuten Insight Global
Rakuten Insight Global, Inc. (“Rakuten Insight”) is a wholly-owned online market research subsidiary company of Rakuten Group, Inc. Rakuten Insight was established in 1997 as AIP Corporation and became part of the Rakuten Group in 2014. Rakuten Insight possesses a research panel focusing on 12 countries and regions in Asia & the US and a panel network covering 60 countries and regions. With offices in 11 countries and regions, Rakuten Insight provides market research for over 500 leading companies around the world.

https://insight.rakuten.com/...as%2520Regional%2520Head%2520Americas.