Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket

www.viber.com/en/blog/2020-12-01/...for-vibers-10th-birthday/

on Trials of New 5G Match Viewing Experience

Tokyo, December 3, 2020 – Rakuten Mobile, Inc. and Rakuten Vissel Kobe, Inc. today announced that the two companies have carried out a PoC (proof of concept) real-life trial of a new match viewing experience using Rakuten Mobile’s 5th generation mobile communications system (5G). The PoC was held at Noevir Stadium Kobe on November 15 and 18, and used Rakuten Mobile’s 5G mmWave network to trial the following:

1. Displaying statistics and real-time tracking data using AR (augmented reality)
2. Running a multiplayer game using AR
3. Streaming and viewing low-latency multiangle video before matches

corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/press/2020/1203_01/

JP Morgan Asset Sees Opportunities in Japan Internet Sector

December 02 2020, 2:30 AM

JP Morgan Asset Management’s outperforming Japan equity fund sees growth opportunities in the information and communications sector as the country lags in adopting key tools like e-commerce and digital payment.

“Although people have an image of Japan as a high-tech society, the penetration rate of internet, e-commerce and digital payment is quite low compared to other countries,” Treves said. “We find lots of businesses in this place which aren’t cyclically attractive, but have multi-year growth prospects.”

www.bloombergquint.com/markets/...ill-be-japan-s-next-winners

Rakuten strong involved in ShopBack

Temasek leads ShopBack's extended US$75m funding round

THU, MAR 12, 2020 - 5:31 PM
CLAUDIA CHONG

SINGAPORE state investment firm Temasek has invested in cashback startup ShopBack, alongside some existing investors who did follow-on investments in the Singapore-based firm. The total deal value amounts to about US$30 million, sources told The Business Times.

ShopBack did not respond to queries from BT, but sent out a press statement on Thursday evening confirming Temasek's investment. The startup said Temasek led its extended US$75 million round, with participation from existing investors including Rakuten, EDBI, EV Growth, Cornerstone Ventures and 33 Capital.

ShopBack announced in April last year that it raised US$45 million in an equity funding round, co-led by new investors Rakuten Capital and EV Growth, with participation from EDBI, the investment arm of Singapore's Economic Development Board.

The latest capital injection brings ShopBack's total funding since its founding in 2014 to US$113 million. The company is also backed by SoftBank Ventures Asia and counts Singapore-based Qualgro and Quest Ventures among its earlier investors.

www.businesstimes.com.sg/garage/...tended-us75m-funding-round

It was not disclosed, if Rakuten were paid in cash or shares of ShopBack – I hope in shares to increase the ownership in ShopBack

"SHOPBACK has acquired fellow online cashback platform Ebates Korea from Japanese e-commerce firm Rakuten for an undisclosed sum.

ShopBack's latest expansion into South Korea comes shortly after Singapore state investment firm Temasek led the group's extended US$75 million funding round in March this year.

The cashback startup announced in April 2019 that it had raised US$45 million in an equity funding round, co-led by investors Rakuten Capital and EV Growth, with participation from EDBI, the investment arm of Singapore's Economic Development Board.

With effect from Tuesday, Ebates Korea will cease operations and users will be directed to ShopBack Korea's beta platform. The official launch of the new ShopBack Korea is tentatively slated for mid-2020."

www.businesstimes.com.sg/garage/news/...with-ebates-korea-buy

are excellent for Rakuten Mobile

REBEKAH CARTER

Here’s what the future of Telco might look like

December 4, 2020

Infovista are leaders in application and network performance control, and Marc Serra used his insights as CMO of the company to deliver three crucial predictions for 2021.

Prediction 1: Mobile Operators Increase OSS integration
The rise of virtual networks and expanded OpenRAN technologies, however, means that more operators are planning on moving their OSS to the cloud for agility. A few operators, like DT, Elisa, and Rakuten, have already started the cloudification adventure, each following unique paths to success. However, Marc notes that all of these companies demonstrate that crucial functions like design, troubleshooting and service assurance can all be available from the cloud, supporting 5G rollout.

Prediction 2: The Automation of the Network Lifecycle
The rise of 5G networks during the next few years will be a catalyst for the rise of automation, according to Marc. In the next year, more operators will be following the example of companies like Dish, Rakuten, and Jio – all brands that are starting their mobile networks fresh for the 4G and 5G network. By combining the latest tech with network automation, these companies can produce more ‘GBs’ (data) at up to 50% lower cost.

Prediction 3: Consumers Are Driving 5G Adoption
A host of low-cost 5G chipsets appeared in 2020, according to Marc, along with Apple’s iPhone 12. The demand for this technology will continue in 2021 with consumers, rather than just companies leading the charge. As restrictions from the pandemic ease, video will continue to drive the bulk of data consumption, while fixed-wireless access provides more fibre-like connectivity at home.

www.uctoday.com/unified-communications/...the-telco-industry/

26% top line year over year online revenue growth thanks in part to significant contributions from the Accelerate program

These new partnerships have driven sales growth by more than $1.4 million to date and have contributed to overall higher conversion, traffic and order rates.

As a result of their continued success, mac of all trades has consolidated their multi-channel activity with Rakuten Advertising. They have since migrated their search and display channels, empowering Rakuten Advertising to build a cohesive multi-channel strategy that will continue to deliver results.

go.rakutenadvertising.com/hubfs/...l-trades-success-story.pdf

Camp Chef, an industry leading manufacturer of outdoor cooking equipment, migrated their affiliate program to Rakuten Advertising not only to increase sales and brand awareness, but also to take advantage of our fully managed service, Accelerate. Accelerate delivers outsized performance by leveraging Rakuten Advertising’s best-in-class products, services and strategic teams. With Accelerate, Rakuten Advertising experts fully manage all aspects of an affiliate program; from strategic recruitment and optimization, to publisher communication and paid placement IO execution. This is all done on a risk-free model with one fixed cost, billed monthly. This simplified business structure offers zero risk and is a model that works well for digitally native brands.

RESULTS
Within the first year with Rakuten Advertising, Camp Chef’s affiliate program not only hit their target, but grew by 15x when compared to their previous affiliate program which was managed by CJ Affiliate network. After seeing the success of Accelerate, Camp Chef launched their search and display efforts with Rakuten Advertising as well, enabling us to provide a holistic, data-driven strategy across all digital marketing channels.

go.rakutenmarketing.com/hubfs/...5022713&__hsfp=103018413

Rakuten Marketing is the global leader in integrated marketing solutions. With offices around the world, our integrated marketing solutions span affiliate, display and search. Headquartered in San Mateo, CA, we have offices throughout the United States and in Australia, Brazil, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

OUR MISSION
Rakuten Marketing empowers marketers to transcend the conventional and achieve the full potential of digital marketing. We deliver data-driven personalized ad experiences that engage consumers – across screens, platforms and traditional publishers – and influence them to purchase. Our commitment to transparency provides consumer journey insights that allow us to continually optimize for performance.

EMPOWERING MARKETERS
We are amidst a technological, economic and cultural revolution. The accelerated pace of innovation – combined with shifts in consumer behavior – have completely transformed the marketing industry, making the role of the marketer more complex than it has ever been. Today, marketers have to be artists, data scientists, technologists and even fortune tellers.

www.dmiexpo.com/project/rakuten-marketing/

Poor if you compare with Rakuten Mobile: Rakuten Mobile has no limit of 20 GB and domestic calls can last forever

"Japan’s largest mobile phone carrier by number of subscribers said it will launch a new monthly plan that will cost ¥2,980 for 20GB of data and free domestic calls that last five minutes or less, the cheapest plan among the nation’s three major carriers."

www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/12/03/...docomo-new-data-plan/

And additional is the first year by Rakuten free for the first three million subscribers.

Cabify, a ride-hailing company akin to Uber and Lyft, with operations in Spain and throughout much of Latin America, quickly became a success story in a fledgling industry.

The company, which is based in Spain, underwent rapid expansion last year and expects to continue growing. With such ambitious plans, it soon became necessary to offload simple contact center calls so agents could focus on the most difficult ones.

“We needed an additional way to reach out to our customers and our drivers outside of our ticketing system. We needed something that was scalable and flexible,” recalls Maria Gili Mas, global customer operations technology manager at Cabify. “We needed something that could answer communications coming in from different channels, from different countries, and in different languages.”

The search for a solution started early in 2019. Cabify didn’t have to look far. Jacobo Domínguez Blanco, Cabify’s vice president of customer experience and operations, worked with Nuance Communications in a previous job at Telefonica, so he was aware of the technology company’s capabilities.

www.destinationcrm.com/Articles/...tomer-Requests-144074.aspx

With nearly 20 years in the order fulfillment business and as part of the Rakuten family, Rakuten Super Logistics is an experienced e-commerce service provider backed by one of the largest and most successful e-commerce companies in the world.

www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/planner/2020/...super-logistics/

ich finde die Reaktion der Börse auf die von mir und anderen sicher auch erwartete Preissenkung des Mobilfunk-Marktführers Docomo für übertrieben:

„Although some features, such as unlimited calling, will cost extra, the monthly tarif brings the cost of using Docomo’s service on par with other low-cost carriers. Docomo is also planning to unveil additional cuts to its existing plans this month, Docomo President Motoyuki Ii told reporters at a news conference.

Docomo’s new plan, which it is calling “ahamo,” will be offered to customers via an online portal. There’s only one plan, with the ability to add additional data or unlimited voice calling, making it easier for people to understand, Ii said.“

www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/...ive-cuts-to-wireless-plans

Rakuten Mobile Recognized at Leading Lights Awards 2020 for 5G Innovation

DECEMBER 7, 2020

On August 21, 2020, Rakuten Mobile, together with its partners Intel and Altiostar Networks, received the "Most Innovative Mobile/Wireless Product or Service" award at the Leading Lights Awards 2020.
This ceremony is hosted annually by Light Reading, a globally renowned B2B digital media platform focusing on the telecom, mobile, cable network and cloud services industry.

The award recognizes the industry's top companies and their executives for outstanding achievements in next-generation communications technology, applications, services, strategies, and innovation.

Rakuten Mobile, Intel and Altiostar Networks were recognized for building one of the world's first container-based, cloud-native radio access networks (RAN), a move that will likely pave the way for much of the rest of the industry in the future.

global.rakuten.com/corp/innovation/rnn/2020/2008_023/

Und anschließend auf das Video klicken!

Danach wurde der Marktführer DoCoMo mit 120 Milliarden Dollar bewertet – und man kann leicht erkennen, welche Werte durch Rakuten Mobile geschaffen werden können.

Japan’s former state telecoms monopoly is taking private the NTT DoCoMo mobile unit it listed 28 years ago in a $40bn deal, launching the country’s biggest ever tender offer in a bid to survive a price war and the 5G race. Nippon Telegraph & Telephone’s move to buy the 34 per cent stake it does not own in its mobile telecoms unit will make the group more likely to yield to government pressure for more aggressive price cuts on mobile fees, according to analysts.

www.ft.com/content/f15da42b-a90f-44b2-8577-e1667113f39e

5G Era Begins for Rakuten Mobile with BIG Announcement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzVYpI3lne0

Deployments globally including Rakuten Mobile and Reliance Jio

AirHop Communications Brings Real-Time 5G Network Intelligence Solution to Microsoft Azure 4G/5G

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 3, 2020

AirHop Communications, a leader in 4G and 5G Network Intelligence software platforms and solutions, today announced the integration of its solutions with Microsoft Azure platforms. The integration of AirHop’s eSON platform enables network deployments with Microsoft Azure platforms (cloud, Edge Zones and Azure Private Edge Zones) to use near real-time Radio Access Networks (RAN) automation and optimization applications to accelerate 4G and 5G deployments for operator and private enterprise networks.
AirHop will be working with Microsoft to ensure seamless integration and operation of eSON as a Cloud Native Function (CNF) in the Azure platforms. The addition of eSON extends Azure 4G/5G solutions with commercially hardened real-time autonomous optimization applications delivering better spectral efficiency, faster data rates, improved end-user quality of experience and operational cost savings through network self-healing.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Microsoft on cloud-based next generation network platforms,” stated Yan Hui, CEO and co-founder at AirHop. “Real-time autonomous network optimization is essential for 5G and our eSON software is field proven in large scale deployments globally including Rakuten Mobile and Reliance Jio. Microsoft Azure platforms and eSON network optimization applications will be used across various businesses to simplify private 5G deployment, optimization and maintenance. Our solution also brings an O-RAN compliant platform roadmap to Azure 4G/5G solutions.”

www.galvnews.com/news_ap/business/...8-89c4-1c5f648a8dd3.html

Rakuten Mobile Receives MM Research Institute Award

DECEMBER 7, 2020

On September 17, 2020, Rakuten Mobile was honored at the MM Research Institute Award 2020 ceremony, with its fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network receiving first prize in the "Smart Solutions: Mobile Network" category. RNN brings you an exclusive interview from the venue in Tokyo, with President of Rakuten Mobile Yoshihisa Yamada, who expressed his delight in receiving this award and shared a message to Rakuten Group employees.

global.rakuten.com/corp/innovation/rnn/2020/2009_020/

Very important: Click to the address to see the complete video!

We also needed to ensure a pleasant user experience for our LTE customers, which is why we included the 4×4 MIMO* antennas, just like with the Rakuten Hand. This only works with band 3 — the band Rakuten Mobile uses — but by using four antennas, we can achieve speeds of up to 400Mbps. In addition to this, we built in additional roaming frequencies so that users can take the phone and use it overseas. With mmWave, Sub-6, 4×4 MIMO and these roaming bands we did have to build a lot of antennas into the phone, but I think we really made the most of the large space afforded to us.

The potential of eSIM-compatible devices

Onogi: All of the smartphones Rakuten Mobile has developed are compatible with eSIM. We want customers to have even more freedom when choosing their mobile service. From October, we eliminated SIM exchange fees for Rakuten Mobile customers, meaning it’s easier than ever to try out our eSIM devices.
Seki: I think everyone should try this. Switching carriers is an astonishingly simple process now.
Sato: Smartphones with dual SIM functionality, for example, can use two different SIM cards on the same device. If you assign a Rakuten Mobile eSIM to one of those slots, you can do the entire application process online and start using it right away.

Want to try out Rakuten UN-LIMIT V but don’t want to buy a new phone? Try this!

Seki: Customers who are interested in Rakuten Mobile but aren’t quite sure about it yet can try out the service using the Rakuten WiFi Pocket. We are a new mobile carrier, so it’s important that we provide customers with the chance to experience the network for themselves. With the Rakuten WiFi Pocket, customers can try out the Rakuten UN-LIMIT V plan by tethering to the device as a Wi-Fi router while keeping their current smartphone contract.
Ito: We developed the Rakuten WiFi Pocket to be a convenient shape and weight to carry around with you everywhere, with an easy-to-read display.
Sato: All you need to do is simply read the QR code displayed on the screen with your smartphone, and the Wi-Fi connects automatically.
Seki: Another thing that’s very important with mobile Wi-Fi is battery life. This device runs for around 10 hours on a single charge. More and more users are utilizing tethering on their smartphones these days, but that chews up a lot of their phone’s battery. This is a great solution for that.
Sato: And don’t forget the Okaimono Panda design! You can’t ignore how cute it is. I think the Rakuten WiFi Pocket is a great device for a really wide range of people.

rakuten.today/blog/rakuten-big-rakuten-wifi-pocket-part-2.html

New 4G-Smartphone from Rakuten for $ 196 or reduced to $ 48 through Rakuten Points by an appply for a Rakuten UN-LIMIT V*1 contract

December 8, 2020

New Original Smartphone Rakuten Hand Released Today

A slim smartphone perfect for one-handed use; Point-back campaign practically reduces customer purchase price to 4,980 yen.

Tokyo, December 8, 2020– Rakuten Mobile, Inc. today announced the release of the Rakuten Hand, a new original 4G smartphone available for purchase online from 9 a.m. today on the official Rakuten Mobile site, and at Rakuten Mobile stores around the country from December 12. The Rakuten Hand is available in 3 colors: Black, White and Crimson Red, and is priced at 20,000 yen (including tax).

Coinciding with the launch of the Rakuten Hand, a limited-time point-back campaign offers customers who purchase the device and apply for a Rakuten UN-LIMIT V*1 contract up to 15,020 Rakuten Points*2, practically reducing the customer purchase price of the Rakuten Hand to 4,980 yen (including tax).

corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/press/2020/1208_02/

one year of service free of charge.

Rakuten Mobile Releases Original Wi-Fi Router, Rakuten WiFi Pocket

Design features official Rakuten mascot Okaimono Panda; Campaigns offer customers the chance to purchase device for practically zero yen and use one year of service free of charge.

Tokyo, December 8, 2020 – Rakuten Mobile, Inc. today announced the release of the Rakuten WiFi Pocket, an original mobile Wi-Fi router available for purchase online from 9 a.m. today on the official Rakuten Mobile site, and at Rakuten Mobile stores around the country from December 25. Available in 2 color variations, Black and White, the Rakuten WiFi Pocket features a design incorporating the official Rakuten mascot Okaimono Panda.

To celebrate the launch of the Rakuten WiFi Pocket, a campaign will be held in which customers who sign up for a Rakuten UN-LIMIT V*1 contract bundled with the device and answer a questionnaire at the time of purchase can buy the device for practically zero yen. In addition, customers who sign up for a new contract are eligible for the campaign offering 3 million subscribers the first full year of service free of monthly fees launched in March 2020, offering customers unlimited data for one year*2, *3.

The Rakuten WiFi Pocket is equipped with a high-capacity battery that offers up to 10 hours*4 of connectivity, ideal for extended use wherever internet access is required. And it is easy to use: Users can connect to Wi-Fi by simply scanning the QR code displayed on the screen of the Rakuten WiFi Pocket with a smartphone or other device.

Customers who connect to the Rakuten WiFi Pocket from their own smartphone can use the unlimited data that comes with their Rakuten UN-LIMIT V service plan when in the Rakuten network area free of charge for one year. This allows customers to try out the Rakuten Mobile network before switching.

corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/press/2020/1208_01/

vorteilhafter Deal, aber immerhin: Price of Lyft is higher than $36.9732

These shares of Issuer class A common stock ("Common Stock") are held directly by Liberty Holdco Ltd. ("Liberty"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rakuten, Inc. ("Rakuten"), and such shares of Common Stock have been pledged to the Banks (as defined below) pursuant to the Transactions (as defined below). Liberty acquired these shares of Common Stock from Rakuten. 2. On October 21, 2020, Liberty entered into variable prepaid forward sale transactions (the "Transactions") in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with unaffiliated financial institutions (the "Banks") relating to 31,395,679 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate following the completion by the Banks of their initial hedging periods. On the applicable settlement dates scheduled to occur during the third quarter of 2025 through the first quarter of 2026, Liberty will be obligated to deliver up to 31,395,679 shares of Common Stock or, at Liberty's election, and subject to satisfaction of certain conditions under the terms of such Transactions, pay cash in lieu of such delivery. In exchange for assuming this obligation, Liberty received a cash payment of $714,337,093.49 shortly following the date of entering into the Transactions. 3. Under the Transactions, on the applicable settlement dates, Liberty will be obligated to deliver to the Banks a number of shares of Common Stock determined as described below (or, under certain circumstances, at Liberty's election, an equivalent amount in cash). If the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock on the related averaging dates (the "Settlement Price") is less than or equal to $22.7527 (the "Floor Price"), Liberty will deliver to the Banks 31,395,679 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate (or, under certain circumstances, at Liberty's election, an equivalent amount in cash). 4. If the Settlement Price is between the Floor Price and $36.9732 (the "Cap Price"), Liberty will deliver to the Banks a number of shares of Common Stock (or, under certain circumstances, at Liberty's election, an equivalent amount in cash) equal to 31,395,679 shares in the aggregate, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Floor Price and the denominator of which is the Settlement Price. If the Settlement Price is greater than the Cap Price, Liberty will deliver to the Banks the number of shares of Common Stock (or, under certain circumstances, at Liberty's election, an equivalent amount in cash) in the aggregate equal to the product of (i) 31,395,679 shares and (ii) a fraction (a) the numerator of which is the sum of (x) the Floor Price and (y) the Settlement Price minus the Cap Price, and (b) the denominator of which is the Settlement Price.

investor.lyft.com/static-files/...9d60-4cef-b6b1-824b0add7a30

an important owner of Glovo

Unicorn startup companies 2020: List of top 500 unicorn startups with valuation of $1 Billion

Cabify $1.40 billion Spain Auto & transportation

Glovo $1.00 billion Spain Supply chain, logistics, & delivery

techstartups.com/2020/11/19/...-startups-valuation-1-billion/

Behind the development of Rakuten Mobile’s original devices — Part one: Rakuten Mini and Rakuten Hand

December 8, 2020, Rakuten Mobile announced two new products in its lineup of original devices: the Rakuten Hand, a slim smartphone perfect for one-handed use and the Rakuten WiFi Pocket, Rakuten Mobile’s first original Wi-Fi router.

We spoke with the team overseeing the planning and development of these devices: Masashi Onogi, Hajime Seki, Kosuke Yajima and Kazuyuki Sato of Rakuten Mobile’s Device Strategy Department, along with Tadashi Tsukamoto and Hiroyuki Ito of the Device Platforms Department. In part one, we learn about Rakuten Mobile’s strategy behind creating its own original devices, as well as take a closer look at the Rakuten Mini and the Rakuten Hand.

Why Rakuten Mobile is building its own devices

What does Rakuten Mobile aim to accomplish by developing its own original devices?
Tsukamoto: We want to provide our customers with complete freedom in choosing devices and services. That’s why we are working to create affordable devices with features such as eSIM compatibility. Rakuten Mobile’s smartphones — the Rakuten Mini, Rakuten Hand and Rakuten BIG for example — are all eSIM-compatible and free of SIM lock restrictions.

The devices also provide an important entry point for the Rakuten Group’s wide spectrum of services. Through these smartphones, users can enjoy music and video content, make electronic payments and use other Rakuten apps. We’re hoping it will be an opportunity for more users to get to know Rakuten’s services.

Additionally, we also made sure that all three devices feature Osaifu-Keitai®, while the Rakuten BIG is also waterproof — something Japanese consumers find particularly important.

rakuten.today/blog/rakuten-mini-rakuten-hand-part-1.html

The mission: A smartphone never seen before something only Rakuten Mobile could build

What sparked the development of the Rakuten Mini?

Tsukamoto: We developed the Rakuten Mini soon after I joined the company. During my recruitment interview, (Rakuten Mobile CTO) Tareq Amin won me over, inviting me to come and “develop a smartphone no one’s ever seen before — something only Rakuten could build,” and I got started on the project as soon as I joined. We decided from the very beginning that we wanted to create a device that was four inches or smaller, and got right to work drawing up the designs.

Tsukamoto: Additionally, in order to be a truly Japanese device, we needed to include Osaifu-Keitai® functionality as well as Mobile FeliCa e-money compatibility. And we needed to do all of this in a palm-sized device. That was a significant challenge for us.

To integrate Mobile FeliCa, we worked on a tight schedule with the manufacturer, in parallel with the rest of the development, for it all to come together at the final stage. It was a Herculean task that took a lot of time, but it was worth it.

rakuten.today/blog/rakuten-mini-rakuten-hand-part-1.html