Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket

Virtual Event - 9:00 AM Eastern (2:00 PM UK) September 19th 2023

Bringing Open RAN to maturity and delivering on the promise of disaggregated networks

In the fifth edition of this event, we seek to discuss the progress of Open RAN and the crucial role of the RIC. We will examine the continually evolving ecosystem of players from hardware and software players, right down to the silicon level. We will also discuss the latest on commercial deployments, security, and the continuing debate regarding interoperability and parity of performance.

Event Topics

Gain insights from carriers regarding Open RAN deployments

Get to grips with future network architectures and the necessary shift in network operating models and culture

Examine governments’ roadmaps for the deployment and standardisation of Open RAN

Discover the opportunities brought by Near-Real-Time RIC

Find out the role Open RAN plays in telco sustainability and energy efficiency

Explore the development and evolution of the Open RAN ecosystem

www.openranforum.com/

Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo and its growing emphasis on global inclusion

6 Sept 2023

‘Open, Fashion Week’ was the overarching theme of Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo’s spring/summer 2024 edition, which had been centred around the “strengthening of power to transmit globally”. Like other fashion weeks of its calibre, Tokyo has its sights set on attaining a more global reach, an element that was only enhanced after the pandemic and has also been evident in its intentional choice to run from August 28 to September 2, placing it ahead of the international show schedules.

fashionunited.uk/news/business/...bal-inclusion/2023090671422

Rakuten Viber launches in-app bookings with Sasto Tickets

Users can search for Sasto Tickets on Viber and join the chatbot. Viber’s collaboration with the travel agency introduces a flight booking service for both domestic and international flights through the Sasto Tickets ChatBot.

kathmandupost.com/money/2023/08/29/...ings-with-sasto-tickets

Rakuten Mobile requested the prompt allocation of the platinum band’s potential new options for 3MHz systems within the 700MHz band.

startupxs.com/events/open-ran-global-forum-2023/

nordot.app/1072771474452267435?c=581736863522489441

OTT Services Market Giants Spending Is Going to Boom With Disney, Rakuten, Inc, Tencent , Vudu, Inc., Hulu, LLC, Google LLC, Home Box Office , Apple Inc., Amazon.com, Inc., Netflix

The global OTT services market is projected to reach US$ 67.76 Bn by 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.55 % during the forecast period (2023 - 2031).

www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/23/09/...encent-vudu-inc-hulu-

High scores are assigned to conditions such as “not having a platinum band”, clearly giving Rakuten Mobile an advantage by the next allocation

At Rakuten’s financial results conference, roaming can continue to be used nationwide, such as in rural areas, but it will be possible to use it in downtown areas from now on. The network connection quality will gradually improve around the fall of 2023.

The 700MHz platinum band is also expected to be allocated this fall. According to the examination criteria set by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, high scores are assigned to conditions such as “not having a platinum band”, clearly giving Rakuten Mobile an advantage.

japan.postsen.com/business/88553/...-battle-Keitai-Watch.html

Mein Rat für Shortseller: "Go panic first!"

After doubling of Uber-shares value of Cabify is higher than $2 billion

The people behind the wheel: Lucía Chavarri’s story, Cabify

15.06.2023

www.intelligenttransport.com/...-wheel-lucia-chavarri-cabify/

September 12, 2023

Generative AI technology promises all kinds of possibilities, and Rakuten Viber is providing free and easy access to so-called “GenAI” in the form of super-handy chatbots. The first of these, powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology, was released earlier this year in English and Japanese. RNN spoke to two key people on the project to find out more about the story behind its development!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwr1o_U2Uu0

TELUS is currently operating seven sites, each with a single radio per sector and three sectors per site, using a total of 21 Open RAN radios, he said. By the end of Q3, TELUS plans to have 84 radios and servers on the 7 sites but with multiple radios per sector, all deployed and powered by Rakuten Symphony.

TELUS is also implementing Rakuten Symphony’s Zero Touch Provisioning solution, which was trialed and proven in August 2022 by the two companies. Dabboussi noted that the solution removes human error by automatically turning the radio on and configuring it with all of its parameters to offer the services to customers.

Dabboussi noted that the automated solution is helping TELUS and other operators to achieve tasks without human eyes and hands involved, and that by doing this, operators don't only reduce cost, they minimize the amount of human error that takes place. Speaking on why automation is critical to mobile networks, Dabboussi explained that most of network outages, and most of network issues stem from at least a source of human error, because humans are not perfect. But machines and scripts as you design them well, and as you improve them, they can become perfect and predictable.

symphony.rakuten.com/blog/...-the-future-of-telecom-telus-cto

netsuper.rakuten.co.jp/

Supermarkets around Japan are going online with Rakuten Zenkoku Super

10 hours ago

Rakuten’s supermarket digital transformation business Rakuten Zenkoku Super is reaching new corners of Japan. The platform recently welcomed yet another Japanese supermarket: Ryobi Store, a chain of 13 stores in Okayama Prefecture, which will go online in fall 2023.

Ryobi Store will join a group of eight supermarket chains on Rakuten Zenkoku Super, including recent recruit Ellena, which operates 44 supermarkets in and around Saga and Nagasaki Prefectures in Japan’s west.

Sharing Rakuten’s online expertise

Rakuten Zenkoku Super launched in January 2022 with a mission to leverage Rakuten’s expertise in the digital realm to empower businesses and communities all around Japan.

The platform is geared towards existing supermarket operators who don’t have access to the knowledge and resources to take their retail operations online. Much like Rakuten Ichiba has been doing for all manner of retail stores since 1997, Rakuten Zenkoku Super offers a one-stop shop for everything supermarkets might need to make the digital transition.

“We’re able to take these supermarkets online at a comparatively low cost,” explains senior manager Hideyuki Oi. “They can capitalize on Rakuten’s expertise for support both in preparation for their online opening and with operations and sales into the future.”

Joining the platform gives operators access to a wealth of e-commerce expertise. In addition to running one of Japan’s largest online shopping malls for 27 years, Rakuten has also operated its own online supermarket with partners Seiyu since 2018.

rakuten.today/blog/...-online-with-rakuten-zenkoku-super.html

The best part of working at Rakuten is that the company offers more than 70 offline and online services, including e-commerce, FinTech and telecommunications. Another important factor in attracting international talent is that English is the official language of the company. Rakuten’s “Englishnization” initiative, which many other Japanese companies have begun to follow, is key to attracting talent from around the world. Rakuten is highly respectful of diversity and differences in culture and customs. It is also a workplace where people can communicate freely with each other. In addition to that, the company offers free healthy meals and provides an excellent office environment, with a gym and multiple social spaces. These are just a few examples of how Rakuten makes coming to work worthwhile and stimulating.

I always make sure to convey to candidates Rakuten Group’s mission to empower people and society as one global team. Furthermore, I share my personal experiences as a non-Japanese employee at Rakuten to illustrate the growth opportunities within the company. Through this process, I often succeed in dispelling preconceived ideas about working for a Japanese company.

I believe Rakuten’s greatest strength is its diverse corporate culture. Thanks to Rakuten I can work together with employees of various nationalities and backgrounds to achieve shared goals and improve ourselves through knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

rakuten.today/people-culture/my-rakuten-experience-shwetz.html

Die Chancen, dass Rakuten Mobile das Platin-Band gewinnt, werden immer größer.

Im April 2023 kündigte das Ministerium für Inneres und Kommunikation eine Richtlinie an, um einen Teil der derzeit vakanten Platinbänder an Mobilfunkunternehmen zu vergeben. Rakuten Mobile will welche zugewiesen bekommen, und sie könnte bereits im Herbst implementiert werden.

Das Platinband ist eine umgangssprachliche Bezeichnung für Radiowellen mit niedrigen Frequenzen (lange Radiowellen) und widerstandsfähig gegen Hindernisse.

Rakuten Mobile verfügt nicht über ein Platinband, daher sind die Signalbedingungen im Untergrund und in Innenräumen nicht so gut wie bei anderen Unternehmen.

Daher wird erwartet, dass die Übernahme des Platinbandes die Schwächen von Rakuten Mobile beseitigen wird.

economical.co.jp/smartphone/rakuten-mobile-platinum-band

Earn 10x Cash-Back at Saks Fifth Avenue With Rakuten

September 11, 2023, 11:07am CDT

Rakuten is currently promoting a New York Fashion Week offer with 10% cash-back offer at 40+ retailers. This promotion ends September 13, 2023, so move quickly!

upgradedpoints.com/news/rakuten-flash-deals/

The report acknowledges the comprehensive, feature-rich, enterprise-grade experience that Symcloud Storage delivers with an uncompromising adherence to cloud-native development and deployment principles. It also comments on the product’s advanced data services, advanced automated application-awareness capabilities, backup, snapshot, cloning and migration solution.

Symcloud has a proven track record with various telcos, offering commendable performance in use cases such as edge deployments related to 5G infrastructure. Symcloud Storage is also integrated into the Google Anthos’ marketplace and is the only pre-certified solution for Anthos on-prem, for easier edge deployments.

Click here to watch the discussion at Rakuten Optimism 2023, where Partha Seetala, President of Cloud Business Unit, Rakuten Symphony, joined Vijay Tewari, Director of Product Management, Google Cloud Platform, in outlining critical edge use cases across industry verticals and how Google Distribute Cloud and Symcloud Storage are enabling them.

symphony.rakuten.com/blog/...utperformer-in-the-storage-space

Im Januar 2023 kostete ein Big Mac in Japan rund 410 Yen und in den USA 5,36 US-Dollar. Das impliziert einen Wechselkurs von 76,5. Tatsächlich lag dieser aber bei 130. Der Yen wäre demnach also etwa 41 % unterbewertet.

anlegerplus.de/kaufkraftparitaet-definition-indizes/

The TVOD service offers an authentic cinematic experience with the latest releases to buy or rent in high audio and video quality. The advertising-supported offering comprises AVOD and FAST services. The AVOD service features more than 10,000 titles available on-demand, including films, documentaries and series from Hollywood and local studios, as well as the catalogue with Original and Exclusive content. The FAST service consists of an extensive line-up of over 500 unique channels among which 100 Owned & Operated (O&O) across Europe, including free linear channels from global networks, top European broadcasters and media groups, and the platform’s own thematic channels with curated content. Rakuten TV is available in 43 European territories and currently reaches more than 140 million households via its branded remote-control button and pre-installed app in Smart TV devices.

www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/...h-on-Rakuten-TV.html

On [14 September 2023] the UK government, as represented by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), along with Mobile UK, representing BT Group plc, Hutchison 3G UK Ltd, Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone Group plc, issued the following joint statement on developing Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions adherent to the Open RAN principles.

Given the UK’s recent substantial investment in the Open Networks Ecosystem competition, it’s an opportune moment to restate our joint ambition between government and industry. We continue to support the development and deployment of RAN solutions which adhere to the Open RAN principles in order to enhance competition and innovation, helping to improve the security and resilience of critical network infrastructure. The UK government and MNOs are working towards an ambition for, in aggregate, 35% of the UK’s network traffic to be carried over open and interoperable RAN architectures by 2030.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/...and-open-ran-principles

Laut den Angaben im Halbjahresbericht 2023, standen für das 5G-Netz von 1&1 Ende Juni 193 Antennenstandorte bereit, die sukzessive an Glasfaser angebunden und mit Gigabit-Antennen ausgestattet werden. Das sind 99 Standorte mehr als zum Ende des ersten Quartal, sodass sich das Netz in den vergangenen drei Monaten quasi verdoppelt hat. Letztendlich ist die Anzahl von unter 200 Standorten aber immer noch sehr überschaubar. Dazu wurden planmäßig zwei der vier Core-Rechenzentren sowie 22 der 24 dezentralen Edge-Rechenzentren in Betrieb genommen und via Glasfaser mit 74 der deutschlandweit entstehenden über 500 regionalen Far-Edge-Rechenzentren verbunden.

Im zweiten Halbjahr 2023 soll es laut Unternehmensangaben aber besser laufen. Geplant ist, dass bis Ende September ca. 500 Masten zur Verfügung stehen, was rund 300 mehr wären als aktuell. Zum Jahresende soll das Netz dann laut aktueller Planung auf ca. 1.000 Antennenstandorte angewachsen sein. Das geplante Jahresziel von 1.200 Standorten wird man durch Lieferverzögerungen voraussichtlich verpassen und erst Anfang 2024 erreichen. Langfristig hat man sich die Ziele gesetzt, bis Ende 2025 ein Viertel und bis Ende 2030 die Hälfte der deutschen Haushalte mit seinem eigenen 5G-Netz zu versorgen.

Neben dem Einkauf in die oben genannten Kolokationsstandorte bei anderen Unternehmen, setzt 1&1 beim Ausbau seines modernen 5G-Netzes basierend auf Open RAN auch auf eigene Standorte. Hier wurden laut Unternehmensangaben zum Ende des ersten Halbjahres 98 abgeschlossene Mietverträge für die Errichtung von Antennenstandorten erreicht.

www.5g-anbieter.info/5g-news/...eber-den-ausbau-des-5g-netzes

Telecom's Evolution: Embracing an Open and Collaborative Future

September 15, 2023

The telecom industry was once dominated by closed systems, but its future will be defined by openness, collaboration and dynamism. We explore this transition with Leon Taiman, client principal of the global telco practice at Dell Technologies, and Wei Yeang Toh, general manager of the ecosystem development organisation at Intel. And together, they unravel the significance of an open telecom ecosystem, discussing why it's not just important but essential for a more interconnected and innovative telecom landscape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To610fDX-m0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=t41kVb4-saM