Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket
Look Out Amazon, Here Comes...Rakuten?
Japanese e-commerce firm Rakuten announced on Tuesday it is acquiring Ebates for $1 billion.
The acquisition, which Rakuten hinted at last week, is part of the Japanese company’s push to grow its base beyond its domestic market and hopefully, become a global player. Having made some $1.2 billion acquisitions to date along these lines, this is Rakuten’s most ambitious move to date.
However, investors are dubious that the company can absorb yet another foreign acquisition, much less one the size of Ebates, despite Rakuten’s strong cash position.
Then there is the ever-present Amazon, which dominates the e-commerce market in the U.S. Few believe it will falter in the face of Chinese giant Alibaba, much less a Rakuten-Ebates combo.
Rakuten Goes Forth
Not surprisingly, Rakuten says it is undaunted. For starters, it has assembled a very interesting mix of acquisitions. There is messaging app Viber, which it purchased for $900 million in February, the Canadian ebook offering Kobo, Spanish video service Wuaki.tv, Viki, a digital content platform and Buy.com.
Now it has picked up Ebates.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikamorphy/2014/09/...ere-comes-rakuten/
Im Juni 2025 finden bei Rakuten Mobile mehrere interessante Ereignisse und Kampagnen statt. Dazu gehören das "SAIKYO Summer Thanksgiving Festival" vom 3. bis 27. Juni, das Nutzer mit verschiedenen Vorteilen belohnt, sowie die "U-NEXT Early Access" Kampagne für Rakuten Saikyo Plan Abonnenten, die am 23. Juni startet. Zudem war Rakuten Mobile Gastgeber des O-RAN ALLIANCE June 2025 F2F Meetings in Fukuoka und stellte Fortschritte bei der großflächigen Bereitstellung von O-RAN-konformen Netzwerken vor.
Hier ist eine detailliertere Übersicht:
Veranstaltungen und Kampagnen:
SAIKYO Summer Thanksgiving Festival:
Dieses Festival, das vom 3. bis 27. Juni stattfindet, soll die Nutzer für ihre Treue belohnen und bietet verschiedene Vorteile und Kampagnen.
U-NEXT Early Access Kampagne:
Diese zeitlich begrenzte Aktion startet am 23. Juni und ermöglicht Rakuten Saikyo Plan Abonnenten, den U-NEXT Dienst mit unbegrenztem Datenvolumen für einen Monat zum Preis von 2.200 Yen (inkl. Steuern) zu testen.
O-RAN ALLIANCE June 2025 F2F Meeting:
Rakuten Mobile war Gastgeber dieses Treffens in Fukuoka und präsentierte Fortschritte bei der O-RAN-Implementierung, einschließlich des landesweiten RIC-Platforms und der Beiträge zur O-RAN-Standardisierung.
Weitere wichtige Punkte:
Rakuten AI for Business:
Rakuten Mobile plant, bis Januar 2026 eine generative KI-Lösung für Geschäftskunden zu entwickeln, die verschiedene Unternehmensfunktionen unterstützen soll.
Edge AI in Stadien:
Es gibt ein Projekt, das sich auf den Einsatz von Edge-KI zur Verbesserung der Sicherheit in Stadien konzentriert und voraussichtlich von Juni 2025 bis Januar 2026 läuft.
Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass der Juni 2025 für Rakuten Mobile eine Zeit intensiver Aktivitäten und Innovationen ist, mit Kampagnen, Veranstaltungen und Projekten, die sowohl bestehende als auch potenzielle Kunden ansprechen.
https://www.google.de/...B7ASwgcIMS4yLjcuMTbIB9sB&sclient=gws-wiz
June 26, 2025
O-RAN (Open Radio Access Networks) Market Size reached US$ 2.92 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 45.70 billion by 2032, growing with a CAGR of 41.03% during the forecast period 2025-2032.
The Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) sector is experiencing rapid development, driven by the growing adoption of cloud-based technologies in telecommunications and the increasing need for flexible, scalable network solutions. As digital transformation accelerates, both public and private network operators are turning to Open RAN frameworks to support automation and cloud-native infrastructure.
Key trends fueling this shift include the rollout of 5G, advancements in network virtualization, the push for vendor diversity, and efforts to improve connectivity in underserved rural areas. By decoupling hardware from software, Open RAN presents a cost-effective and adaptable alternative to traditional, proprietary systems helping address the compatibility issues that have emerged over successive generations of mobile networks, from AMPS to 5G.
Similarly, Rakuten Mobile began offering commercial 4G and 5G services using Open RAN infrastructure in Japan in September 2022. By incorporating equipment from multiple vendors, Rakuten demonstrates the flexibility and interoperability of Open RAN in real-world deployments highlighting its potential to support scalable and cost-effective 5G networks.
These developments reflect the growing momentum behind Open RAN as a strategic solution for meeting the complex demands of modern wireless communication.
https://kalkinemedia.com/news/world-news/...-based-network-innovation
MIDLAND, Texas & NEWBURY, United Kingdom, June 30, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vodafone Group and AST SpaceMobile Inc. ("AST SpaceMobile") (NASDAQ: ASTS) today announced that their new joint venture satellite company, SatCo, will be headquartered in Luxembourg, creating a European sovereign integrated satellite service. AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, designed for both commercial and government applications.
Luxembourg’s strong digital credentials and strategic location provide SatCo with the ideal platform from which to exclusively distribute AST SpaceMobile’s broadband satellite services to European mobile network operators under a single turnkey arrangement. SatCo’s wholesale offering of direct-to-device mobile broadband satellite services, which complement terrestrial networks, has generated expressions of interest from network operators in 21 EU member states, as well as in other European markets. Commercial services are expected to begin in 2026.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...le-choose-luxembourg-060000397.html
The ShopBack Group is Asia-Pacific’s leading shopping, rewards, and payments platform, serving over 50 million shoppers across 12 markets. In 2023, the Group expanded its offerings into Germany, signalling its entry into the European market.
Driven by the vision to be the world's most rewarding way to shop, ShopBack is dedicated to saving members money and time, while delivering delightful experiences with every purchase. The platform also enables merchants and brands to engage with their members in a cost-effective manner.
Founded in 2014, ShopBack now powers over US$4 billion in annual sales for over 20,000 online and in-store partners. Facilitating upwards of half a million transactions daily, ShopBack continues to provide value to both members and merchants through its innovative offerings. Notably, its payment solution, ShopBack Pay, offers members a convenient and rewarding payment option at checkout.
https://corporate.shopback.com/press/...indonesia-with-11-big-rewards
Explore a wide range of exhibits showcasing AI content and cutting-edge technology across the Rakuten Ecosystem
World Cup champion and former Vissel Kobe captain Andrés Iniesta and other new guest speakers announced for the event
Tokyo, July 1, 2025 - Rakuten Group, Inc. today announced its plans for a new exhibition area at Rakuten AI Optimism, the group's largest interactive event. This year’s edition of the annual conference has been significantly transformed through the power of AI.
Taking place at Pacifico Yokohama from Wednesday, July 30 to Friday, August 1, 2025, the exhibition area will showcase future experiences driven by AI and other cutting-edge technologies, alongside Rakuten's newest services.
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/update/2025/0701_01.html
July 02,2025
Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi is constantly evolving into a space where a wide range of customers can enjoy themselves, not just baseball fans. In this RNN video, two second-year Rakutenians from Rakuten Baseball report from the stadium grounds the highlights of the 2025 season renovations. The newly introduced karaoke gondola and sauna-style gondola are must-see additions!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOEM2mV63Ek
Ray Sharma
Rakuten Symphony, Inc. announced that IDEAL Software Design (IDEAL), the leading UAE-based AI Value-Added Distributor, has been appointed as a value-added distributor for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. IDEAL will deliver the Rakuten Cloud portfolio of products, including Rakuten Cloud-Native Platform, Cloud-Native Orchestrator, and Cloud-Native Storage solutions, to resellers and end customers, with a primary focus on the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Rakuten Symphony and IDEAL have partnered to address the MEA region’s burgeoning demand for managing distributed AI workload deployments at an affordable cost, while delivering locally managed and owned cloud-based operations.
Rakuten Symphony also announced a strategic partnership with Simply Tech LTDA, a leading technology company for automation and digital transformation, naming the company as a value-added distributor for Rakuten Cloud solutions and services across the South and Central America markets, with an initial focus on Brazil, Mexico and Colombia.
Under the agreement, Simply Tech will deliver Rakuten Cloud-Native Platform, Rakuten Cloud-Native Orchestrator, and Rakuten Cloud-Native Storage solutions to local resellers and enterprises. This collaboration aims to accelerate digital transformation across key industries—including healthcare, financial services, retail, and manufacturing—by making high-performance, cloud-native technology more accessible and affordable.
https://www.thefastmode.com/technology-solutions/...-mea-partnerships
Rakuten Card Co., Ltd. (im Folgenden als "das Unternehmen" bezeichnet) wird am Dienstag, den 1. Juli 2025, als zweite Zusammenarbeit mit der "Dragon Ball"-Serie mit der Annahme von Anträgen und der Ausstellung von Anträgen für "Rakuten Card Dragon Ball Z Design" beginnen, das mit "Dragon Ball Z" entworfen wurde. Um daran zu erinnern, veranstalten wir eine Aktion, bei der wir ein originelles Sporthandtuch (nicht zum Verkauf) gewinnen können.
Das Design der Kartenseite orientiert sich an dem Motiv der berühmten Szene des Super-Saiyajins Son Goku. Wir hoffen, dass die Ausgabe dieser Karte Fans der Dragon Ball-Serie aller Generationen dazu ermutigen wird, eine neue Rakuten-Karte zu beantragen.
Wie die Rakuten-Karte bietet diese Karte Vorteile wie z. B. lange Zeit keinen jährlichen Mitgliedsbeitrag, 1 "Rakuten Point" für jeweils 100 Yen, die mit der Karte ausgegeben werden, und 3-mal so viele, wenn sie bei "Rakuten Ichiba" verwendet wird. Kunden, die bereits eine "Rakuten Card" besitzen, können diese Karte auch als zweite "Rakuten Card" ausstellen.
Seit der Ausgabe der Rakuten-Karte im Juli 2005 ist das Unternehmen weiter gewachsen, und die Anzahl der ausgegebenen Karten hat Ende März 2025 32,21 Millionen überschritten, und das Unternehmen arbeitet aktiv daran, die Cross-Use mit verschiedenen Dienstleistungen der Rakuten-Gruppe zu fördern und bargeldlose Zahlungen sowohl innerhalb als auch außerhalb der Gruppe populär zu machen.
https://www.rakuten-card.co.jp/corporate/press_release/20250701/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7KxdgpaXP4&t=94s
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/investors/documents/annual.html
(Last integrated report)
https://www.rcrwireless.com/20250703/5g/5g-open-ran
July 04, 2025
The video discusses the innovative partnership between Viber and Infobip, aimed at enhancing customer journeys through seamless communication. With over a decade of collaboration, they emphasize the importance of providing an end-to-end experience on a single platform, similar to successful super apps in Asia. Understanding customer demographics is crucial, as illustrated by a bank's onboarding process that includes verification and personalized messaging. Viber is committed to continuously expanding its features, including list and carousel messaging, to better serve businesses and their clients.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdaig8gm66A&t=35s
June 30, 2025
1&1 said that four core data centers and 24 edge data centers are already operational on its O-RAN network
In sum, what to know:
10M subscribers: 1&1 reaches 10M users on its new Open RAN 5G network just 18 months after initial launch.
Decentralized rollout ongoing: The telco said 279 of over 500 planned data centers area already active, supporting Germany-wide low-latency coverage.
Mass migration underway: Up to 50,000 customers moved daily from Telefónica/Vodafone to 1&1’s own 5G network infrastructure.
German fourth mobile operator 1&1 has surpassed 10 million users on its 5G network powered by Open RAN (O-RAN) technology just 18 months after launching its mobile services.
In a release, the German telco noted that this milestone marks one of the fastest mobile network expansions in Europe.
“Hardly any other mobile network has grown faster than the 1&1 O-RAN,” said Michael Martin, chief executive officer of 1&1 Mobilfunk. “10 million users are clear evidence of the performance and reliability of our infrastructure based on the innovative Open RAN technology — by the end of the year, this number will exceed 12 million.”
https://www.rcrwireless.com/20250630/5g/11-o-ran-5g
New subscriptions at Rakuten Mobile stores increased approximately 20% year-on-year
Tokyo, July 7, 2025 – Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s newest and most modern mobile network, today announced that its total number of subscribers has surpassed 9 million as of July 7, 2025. Driven by initiatives tailored to a wide range of customers, new subscriptions at Rakuten Mobile stores have increased by approximately 20% year-on-year (YoY).
Celebrating its fifth anniversary this April, Rakuten Mobile continues on its mission to democratize the mobile industry, building on the progress made since its full-scale launch in April 2020. The company has expanded its nationwide coverage, enhanced communication quality and speed, and offers unlimited data through the Rakuten Saikyo Plan.
In 2024, Rakuten Mobile launched a series of new programs designed to provide even more affordable mobile services to a broader range of customers: The Saikyo Family Program, Saikyo Youth Program, Saikyo Kids Program and Saikyo Senior Program. As a result, the number of new subscribers and subscribers switching from other mobile carriers is steadily increasing. In addition, from October 2025, Rakuten Mobile will begin offering the Rakuten Saikyo U-NEXT package, providing customers with an unparalleled mobile entertainment experience. The U-NEXT Early Access campaign, running until September 30, 2025, gives subscribers the chance to try unlimited data and U-NEXT access, and has already contributed to subscriber growth.
Rakuten Mobile is committed to providing a seamless experience for customers of all nationalities. Rakuten Mobile stores offer comprehensive multilingual support, as well as multilingual versions of key materials such as Rakuten Saikyo Plan leaflets and essential documents for contracting.
This focus on accessibility has resonated strongly with international residents, who now represent 25% of all new subscriptions at Rakuten Mobile stores. As a result, the total number of subscriptions at Rakuten Mobile stores has increased by approximately 20% compared to last year. Recognizing the key role of Rakuten Mobile stores in driving subscriber growth, the company plans to expand the number of stores nationwide in 2025.
Rakuten Mobile will continue its efforts to improve network quality and deliver even more convenient services to all customers.
https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/...20250707_01_lang_en
July 7, 2025
In the fast-changing world of telecommunications, the partnership between Rakuten Symphony and Tejas Networks marks a key milestone for Open RAN in India. Rakuten Symphony brings cloud-native software expertise. Tejas adds advanced 4G and 5G radio technologies. Together, they are set to transform the telecom industry. Open RAN’s modular and vendor-agnostic design increases flexibility. It also improves cost-efficiency. As a result, the model enables more innovative and adaptive network solutions. This collaboration aims to speed up India’s telecom infrastructure development. At the same time, it strengthens the country’s standing in the global telecom market.
https://connectcx.ai/...ony-and-tejas-power-open-ran-growth-in-india/
Rakuten Mobile won a half million subscribers in the last 130 days = 1.4 million subscribers on a yearly base or 350.000 subscribers every quarter
Tokyo, February 28, 2025 – Rakuten Mobile, Inc. today announced that its total number of subscribers has surpassed 8.5 million as of February 27, 2025, approximately five years since the company’s full-scale launch as a mobile network operator (MNO).
https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/press/2025/0228_02/
Tokyo, Japan – Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s newest and most modern mobile network, today announced that its total number of subscribers has surpassed 9 million as of July 7, 2025.
https://www.telecomtv.com/content/5g/...-9-million-subscribers-53391/
Platz 1 in der Gesamtwertung in drei finanzbezogenen Rankings, die von FP in der ersten Umfrage des Jahres bewertet wurden
https://www.rakuten-sec.co.jp/web/company/...se/pdf/press20250701.pdf
Therefore, achieving revenue that exceeds this level will directly lead to positive EBITDA. Regarding customer acquisition, we will continue to work on improving network quality and driving awareness, while also reviewing acquisition channels to broaden our subscriber base from urban to rural areas and from younger to middle-aged and older demographics. For ARPU, we will work to increase it by expanding and strengthening the sales of optional menus and services.
Latest Integrated Report - Fiscal 2024
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/investors/documents/annual.html
Singletons around the world are experiencing dating app burnout, but new data shows young Filipinos won’t stop swiping for “the one,” even on Viber
July 07, 2025
In July 2024, Forbes Health said 79 percent of Generation Z and 80 percent of millennials experienced fatigue from using dating apps like Tinder and Bumble. But messaging app Rakuten Viber recently reported that the most active online daters are 25 to 30 years old, which means that maybe they’re not entirely sick of online dating just yet.
Viber launched its dating feature earlier this year, in time for Valentine’s Day in February. While it is unknown how many have used the feature globally and in the Philippines, Viber reports that 92 percent of Filipino users start conversations within a minute of matching with others. The messaging app says this means Filipino users are “actively seeking potential partners” and not just creating dormant dating profiles that will leave you hanging.
With the dating feature, Viber says it also wants to tackle concerns regarding privacy and safety, particularly with regard to catfishing and love scams. But are these really what’s causing burnout?
ndia-based software company Octal IT Solution said in a December 2024 report that the number of dating app users is expected to exceed 500 million this year as the market continues to grow in India, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
Viber is also in a unique position in this landscape. While many dating apps fall into a delete-and-redownload cycle, users who grow tired of chatting up matches on Viber Dating may not delete the app, because they still use it to communicate with friends and family. And so, despite safety concerns and the burnout, it looks like online dating services in the Philippines aren’t going anywhere.
https://rollingstonephilippines.com/culture/tech/...line-dating-apps/
Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s newest and most modern mobile network, announced that its total number of subscribers has surpassed 9 million as of July 7, 2025. Driven by initiatives tailored to a wide range of customers, new subscriptions at Rakuten Mobile stores have increased by approximately 20% year-on-year (YoY).
Celebrating its fifth anniversary this April, Rakuten Mobile continues on its mission to democratize the mobile industry, building on the progress made since its full-scale launch in April 2020. The company has expanded its nationwide coverage, enhanced communication quality and speed, and offers unlimited data through the Rakuten Saikyo Plan.
https://www.thefastmode.com/technology-solutions/...h-20-store-growth
s with 20% Store Growth
Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s newest and most modern mobile network, announced that its total number of subscribers has surpassed 9 million as of July 7, 2025. Driven by initiatives tailored to a wide range of customers, new subscriptions at Rakuten Mobile stores have increased by approximately 20% year-on-year (YoY).
Celebrating its fifth anniversary this April, Rakuten Mobile continues on its mission to democratize the mobile industry, building on the progress made since its full-scale launch in April 2020. The company has expanded its nationwide coverage, enhanced communication quality and speed, and offers unlimited data through the Rakuten Saikyo Plan.
https://www.thefastmode.com/technology-solutions/...h-20-store-growth
Opening access for Singapore merchants to Rakuten’s network of more than 100 million registered member accounts in Japan
Tokyo and Singapore, July 9, 2025 – Rakuten Group, Inc. today announced that Singapore-based businesses can now sell directly on Rakuten Ichiba, Japan’s leading e-commerce marketplace with over 100 million registered member accounts. With a 27% market share and nearly 6 trillion JPY in domestic gross merchandise sales in 2024, Rakuten Ichiba offers merchants in Singapore a powerful platform to reach Japanese consumers and grow their presence in the region.
This move marks a significant milestone for both Rakuten and the global e-commerce market. Until now, Rakuten Ichiba primarily served merchants from Japan, South Korea, China, select European nations, the United States and Canada. With this expansion, Singapore-based businesses gain direct access to Japan’s online marketplace through Rakuten Ichiba, extending the platform’s reach in Southeast Asia and accelerating its global growth.
Rakuten Ichiba is a leading online destination in Japan, known for its diverse product offerings across key categories such as household goods, apparel and food. Japanese consumers trust Rakuten Ichiba for its security, transparency, detailed product information and quality shopping experiences.
Takafumi Kanatani, Vice General Manager of Rakuten Ichiba’s Overseas Sales Strategy Department, said, “Singapore’s role as a dynamic Asian retail hub, home to both established brands and innovative startups, positions its companies well to benefit from this opportunity. By joining Rakuten Ichiba, Singaporean merchants can directly connect with Japanese customers, expand their sales channels and grow their presence in Japan’s strong market.”
A key advantage for Singaporean businesses is the ability to ship directly from their warehouses in Singapore to customers in Japan, without the need for a local presence or stock inventory. This increases flexibility in inventory management and logistics, enabling Singapore merchants to deliver a broader and more dynamic selection of products to consumers in Japan.
Rakuten also offers dedicated support tailored to international merchants, including E-Commerce Consultants who guide sellers in maximizing their storefront performance and visibility. This hands-on assistance ensures that businesses can confidently navigate the platform while maintaining full control over their brand identity, product listings and customer engagement.
In addition to storefront management, sellers can also benefit from Rakuten’s unique ecosystem – leveraging advanced AI-powered sales tools, participation in exclusive shopping events and Japan’s leading loyalty program, Rakuten Points – all designed to boost customer loyalty and drive sustained growth in Japan’s market.
Looking ahead, Rakuten is committed to further expanding its international seller base and enhancing its platform to support global businesses. This latest initiative underscores Rakuten Ichiba’s vision to create a truly borderless e-commerce ecosystem that benefits both merchants and customers worldwide.
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2025/0709_01.html
By Valeria Levantino
Communications Manager Rakuten Symphony
June 20, 2025
https://symphony.rakuten.com/blog/...versation-with-fleming-sebastian
The global e-commerce market size has surged to USD 21.62 trillion in 2025 and is projected to skyrocket to USD 75.12 trillion by 2034, growing at a robust CAGR of 14.88% from 2025 to 2034. E-commerce involves all commercial transactions conducted electronically, including business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), consumer-to-consumer (C2C), and direct-to-consumer (D2C) transactions.
July 08, 2025 06:50 ET | Source: Precedence Research
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/...12-Tn-by-2034.html
JPMorgan has initiated coverage on Rakuten Inc . (TYO:4755:JP) with an Overweight rating and a price target of JPY1,150.00, citing the company’s improving mobile segment and expanding ecosystem.
The Japanese e-commerce and digital services company has experienced share price weakness since December 2017 due to concerns about growing investment burdens in its mobile segment, according to JPMorgan. The firm notes that these losses are now diminishing, positioning Rakuten for improved financial performance.
From a financial perspective, JPMorgan believes Rakuten’s credit risk will remain limited as free cash flow improves.
https://www.investing.com/news/analyst-ratings/...growth-93CH-4128655