Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket
Rakuten Mobile’s “unique” network provides major head start in generative AI, Co-CEO says
23 hours ago
The 15th edition of the Rakuten Technology Conference focused on the company’s bold plans for ‘AI-nization’, with Sharad Sriwastawa, Co-CEO of Rakuten Mobile, sharing his take on the ways that artificial intelligence can streamline the company’s mobile operations and improve customer service.
Rakuten’s expansive, consolidated data lake provides the internet services company with a leading edge in developing applications for artificial intelligence network operations (AIOps) and generative AI, Rakuten Mobile Co-CEO Sharad Sriwastawa said during a fireside chat with Handelsblatt’s Martin Koelling titled AI Operations in a Next Generation Network.
The session took place during the 15th edition of the Rakuten Technology Conference at Rakuten’s Tokyo HQ which brought together a variety of AI-focused talks from global business leaders and tech experts.
“WE INTEGRATE OUR DIVERSE DATA INTO A UNIFIED DATA LAKE. WITH OUR CAPACITY TO GATHER AND SYNCHRONIZE VAST DATA SETS, WE ARE WELL POSITIONED FOR A MAJOR LEAP AHEAD OF OTHER OPERATORS IN THE AI LANDSCAPE.”
SHARAD SRIWASTAWA, CO-CEO, RAKUTEN MOBILE
Sriwastawa also used the opportunity to underline the operator’s wide-reaching opportunities in AI and outline his vision for Rakuten Mobile to become a global leader in sustainable and customer-centric network operations through the use of AI technology.
AI is only as good as your data
“Our biggest advantage is the uniqueness of our network,” he said. “The distinctiveness of our network lies in our unified data lake. It’s a single database that combines data from a range of services. The ability to combine all this data where data sets can interact with each other is our biggest advantage and it’s crucial for generative AI. AI is only as good as your data. If your data is in silos, the silos don’t talk to each other and that doesn’t yield much benefit. It’s the elimination of these data silos that gives us a significant edge in the AI space.”
Rakuten Mobile: A level ahead in its automation journey
Sriwastawa went on to compare Rakuten Mobile’s quest for optimal automation and AI use to that of the automotive industry. “Our final aim is similar to that of connected car makers,” he said. “Let’s say there are levels one to five in an automation journey – while others are at level three, I believe Rakuten Mobile is at level four. We are not there yet, where things are completely autonomous – that’s what I’d call level five – but we are working towards it. What is changing now inside the company is an attempt to make use of generative AI to optimize internal processes. People expected robotics to come before connected cars, but connected cars came first. So, between where we are today and reaching a point of artificial general intelligence, I think there’ll be something in between.”
Improving the customer experience with AI
Enhancing the customer experience was another key area that Sriwastawa highlighted as being ripe for improvement with AI tools. “With access to comprehensive data, we can proactively identify customers at risk of churn by analyzing network performance, handset issues, billing irregularities and customer complaints,” he said “This holistic data perspective is unattainable in legacy systems.”
“RAKUTEN MOBILE IS COMMITTED TO HARNESSING AI TO DRAMATICALLY LOWER POWER CONSUMPTION ACROSS OUR NETWORK.”
He went on to highlight the actionable benefits of this data integration, “With all this data centralized, we can leverage generative AI for channel prediction. This enables us to anticipate customer behavior and take preemptive measures to mitigate churn. Based on these insights, our marketing team can tailor promotions or initiate contact to address potential issues, thereby enhancing the overall customer experience on our network.”
Rakuten Mobile is transforming the way customer experiences are managed, predicting and addressing issues to improve overall service quality for its customers.
The power consumption question
Advanced analytics tools can also be used to reduce Rakuten Mobile’s power consumption and become a global leader in sustainable network operations, Sriwastawa said. “How can we improve our operational efficiency? We are exploring ways to leverage AI to significantly reduce power usage in our sites and data centers. Just as light sensors in buildings adjust to the level of activity, we believe our network should be able to do the same. For Rakuten Mobile, we have to reduce power consumption by using AI. We aim to achieve 20-30% power savings by strategically shutting down servers during off-peak periods. By intelligently managing our power consumption based on user activity, we can significantly improve our operational efficiency, reduce costs and also contribute to sustainability efforts.”
Sriwastawa also emphasized the potential of Rakuten AI for Business, the new platform powered by Open AI. “From a Rakuten mobile perspective, we are using a rich communication system. We have a vision to have an AI agent within our ‘Link’ mobile application to evolve into a personal agent for each customer by leveraging AI’s learning capabilities and the wealth of data we possess. This personal AI agent could provide hyper personalized recommendations, proactive issue resolution and tailored communication. It could even understand the best times to interact with each user, ensuring that our communication is not only personalized, but also timely, providing a uniquely tailored mobile experience for each Rakuten user.”
https://rakuten.today/blog/...generative-ai-co-ceo-says%ef%bf%bc.html
November 20, 2023
Pan-African operator MTN has long regarded open network technology as a critical part of its infrastructure strategy and is now sure that disaggregated multi-vendor solutions can deliver the capital and operating expenditure (opex) savings to meet its business objectives, explains Lloyd Mphahlele, general manager for transport & OSS tools at MTN.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ibkTTDQp1M
November 11, 2023
Sidd Chenumolu, VP of technology development at Dish Network, says the US 5G newcomer’s Open RAN network is proving the doubters wrong and that the economics of running a cloud-oriented platform enable the mobile service provider to offer service packages at prices that the incumbent players cannot match.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yL1VC6Ioeo
Network complexity is increasing, timelines are shortening and the need for efficiency gains is an annual budget-cutting exercise. For network operators to achieve success, they must introduce ever-increasing levels of automation, simplification and industrialisation into their network operations, from planning, and building, all the way through to operating. In this session, learn how Rakuten Symphony, Intel and Supermicro have collaborated to address these issues, reducing supply-side SKUs, removing the need for manual intervention, and introducing the digitalisation of all workflows. Learn how they are applying these approaches, first implemented in greenfield networks, with existing operators around the world. Featuring: Geoff Hollingworth, CMO, Rakuten Symphony Mory Lin, VP of IoT/Embedded & Edge Computing, Supermicro Caroline Chan, VP of the Network and Edge Group, Intel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx969e7Ql7o
Mehr Manipulation geht meines Erachtens nicht.
Warum ausgerechnet Reuters, die eigentlich sehr solide sind, einen ihrer Schreiber das machen lässt, verstehe schon gar nicht - selbst wenn die etablierten Ausrüster von Telekomanbietern exzellende Kunden von Reuters sind.
01. Dezember 2023 11:22
Ab heute gibt es für den Rakuten Viber Messenger ein monatliches kostenpflichtiges Abonnement mit neuen Funktionen.
Details
Das Abonnement ist derzeit für Rakuten Viber-Benutzer auf iOS und Android ab Version 21.2 verfügbar. Die Kosten betragen 1,99 $ pro Monat.
Neue Funktionen:
Transkription von Sprachnachrichten in Text, die durch Klicken auf eine Nachricht im Chat funktioniert;
eingeschränkte Werbung mit der Möglichkeit, Werbebotschaften in der Chat-Liste und nach Anrufen nicht zu sehen;
Stealth-Modus – Sie können Nachrichten lesen und online sein, ohne Ihren Status preiszugeben;
unbegrenzter Zugang zu kostenpflichtigen Stickern;
chatten Sie mit dem Support-Service, bei dem die Manager auf Englisch antworten, können Sie auf Ukrainisch kontaktieren;
spezielle App-Symbole, bei denen Sie einen Symbolstil aus mehreren neuen auswählen können;
Viber Plus-Symbol auf dem Benutzerbild in der Anwendung, das von anderen Benutzern gesehen wird.
Um die Funktion zu aktivieren, gehen Sie auf "Erweitert" und wählen Sie Viber Plus.
Das Abonnement kann jederzeit aktiviert werden und verlängert sich automatisch.
Die Möglichkeit, das Abonnement zu aktivieren, wird in den kommenden Tagen allen Nutzern in der Ukraine zur Verfügung stehen. Alle bisherigen Viber-Funktionen, einschließlich Anrufe und Nachrichten, bleiben für alle Benutzer auf der ganzen Welt kostenlos.
Der Service ist in mehr als vierzig Ländern verfügbar, darunter die Ukraine, Polen, die Tschechische Republik, die Schweiz, Kuwait, Australien, Israel, Schweden, Österreich, Indien, Italien, Spanien und andere.
https://bit.ua/2023/12/...kaye-premiumpidpysku-v-ukrayini-podrobytsi/
Branch, the industry’s leading mobile linking and measurement platform, today announced the winners of its fourth annual Mobile Growth Awards. Nominated and selected by their peers, winners are recognized for their exceptional ability to develop and execute comprehensive mobile growth strategies related to user acquisition, engagement and conversion.
“At Branch, we believe that delivering a superior mobile experience is one of the most impactful strategies for companies looking to boost their business,” said Adam Landis, Head of Growth at Branch. “This year’s unprecedented number of submissions is a reflection of the pivotal role that mobile plays in today’s business environment. We’re excited to celebrate these winners and shine a light on how global brands are leveraging innovative mobile technologies to create world-class user experiences.”
The 2023 Mobile Growth Award winners are:
Best QR Code Campaign – NBCUniversal Local
Best App Adoption Campaign – END. Clothing
Best Mobile Growth Campaign – Hallow
Best Mobile Retention Campaign – Target (Australia)
Best Ad Conversion Campaign – Baazi Games
Best Social Engagement Campaign – Domino’s Pizza (Indonesia)
Best Use of Personalization – Rakuten
Mobile industry leaders recognized for driving growth and innovation
https://www.martechcube.com/...nces-2023-mobile-growth-award-winners/
October 11, 2023
A messaging app is rolling out new features designed specially for small and medium at microenterprises. Let's get to know more about this with Rakuten Viber's Chief Revenue Officer Cristina Constandache.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrGQv1N_ttA
October 03,2023
Cloud-native applications will help operators deploy networks that are highly scalable and profitable. In a highly competitive marketplace, in what ways will the cloudification of the Open RAN and CU/DU workflows enable operators to achieve their long-term cloud ambitions and purpose? Rakuten Symphony’s Partha Seetala delves into the topic along with industry experts. Watch the recording for details.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvLRSTb9JKQ
September 7, 2023
Rakuten Symphony’s Hirama remarked on the similarities between Rakuten and TELUS, that both companies have expanded business services to meet the needs of large and diverse customer bases. Gedeon agreed, noting how he’s optimistic about being able to bring more relevance to clients as an industry because TELUS, like Rakuten, has a strong presence in multiple industries and sectors like healthcare, agriculture and television. “For this, we are partnering with Rakuten in other areas, not limited to Open RAN and Rakuten Symphony,” he said.
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.
https://symphony.rakuten.com/blog/...-the-future-of-telecom-telus-cto
Nov 17, 2023
Online broker Rakuten Securities expects that its zero commission service for domestic stock trading will begin to pay off after around one year, President Yuji Kusunoki said in an interview on Thursday.
"We'll be able to recover (related costs) in one year at the earliest and two years at the latest," Kusunoki said in an interview.
Rakuten Securities plans to make up for the decrease in commission fee revenues by expanding its financial services such as margin trading.
From January to June, commission for domestic stock trading accounted for 17% of the company's operating revenue.
In October, when the commission-free service started, the company's operating revenue fell from the previous month but rose 3.1% from a year before thanks to the expansion of the company's overall operations.
Kusunoki said he was initially reluctant to start the commission-free service. But he changed his mind due to worries about an expected drop in his company's market share after its bigger rival, SBI Securities, announced the launch of its zero commission offering.
"The effects are steadily becoming apparent," Kusunoki said, noting an increase in new account openings and other positive outcomes since his company's announcement of the zero commission plan.
The commission-free services are "something like a declaration by the two companies that they will take even bigger shares of the market," Kusunoki said, adding that their moves mark "a big turning point."
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2023/11/17/...urities-zero-fee/
Driving Towards Profitability: Insights into the Cabify Business Model
In the rapidly evolving world of transportation, innovative companies are revolutionizing how people move from point A to B. Among these disruptors, Cabify has emerged as a prominent player, transforming the traditional concept of transportation services. With its unique business model, Cabify has gained recognition for its commitment to providing reliable, convenient, and sustainable mobility solutions.
https://smith-joe.medium.com/...he-cabify-business-model-649045f16467
Headquarters: Madrid
Value: $1.4B (Public information from Mar. 2023)
Adeyemi Ajao de Miguel is a founding investor of Spanish ride-sharing company Cabify. Cabify provides a platform that allows users to book rides through a mobile app or a secure income stream for drivers.
Since launching in Madrid in 2011, Cabify has expanded operations into Latin America, serving over 40 cities in 7 countries and over 50,000 corporate customers. The company reached carbon neutrality in 2018 and plans to fully electrify its fleet globally by 2030.
https://www.mckinsey.com/alumni/news-and-events/...ns/europe-unicorns
Egal, ob Sie nach Kleidung, Sport-Wear, Anime, Videospielen oder Elektronik suchen: mit ZenMarket können Sie gebrauchte und neue Produkte bei Rakuten Japan kaufen.
https://zenmarket.jp/de/rakuten.aspx
In diesem Artikel für LSA spricht Fabien Versavau, CEO von Rakuten France, einer E-Commerce-Plattform, darüber, wie künstliche Intelligenz die Kreislaufwirtschaft unterstützt.
https://global.fr.shopping.rakuten.com/actualites/...omie-circulaire/
Interessanterweise gehört Rakuten zu den fünf umsatzstärksten Einzelhändlern am Black Friday 2022. (Fox Intelligence). Rakuten ist ein digitaler Marktplatz, der 12.000 professionelle Verkäufer und mehr als 12 Millionen Mitglieder zusammenbringt. Dies ist ein Beweis für die Attraktivität von Rakuten für Verbraucher, die auf der Suche nach Schnäppchen und Rabatten sind.
Im Vergleich zum Durchschnitt des Black Friday 2022 generierte dieser Tag einen Spitzenwert von x10, was die Begeisterung der Verbraucher zeigt. Darüber hinaus verzeichnete Rakuten im Vergleich zum Vorjahr ein Wachstum von +38%.
Das durchschnittliche Einkaufsbudget stieg ebenfalls um +35 % auf 299 €, was die wachsende Attraktivität dieses Verkaufstages zeigt.
Kurz gesagt, der Black Friday ist zu einem Pflichttermin für französische Verbraucher geworden, wobei Rakuten France an vorderster Front steht, wenn es darum geht, attraktive Angebote und erhebliche Sparmöglichkeiten anzubieten.
Die erfolgreichsten Aktionen während des Black Friday sind die erheblichen Preisnachlässe. Die Verbraucher werden von den Angeboten besonders angezogen, und Rakuten France bietet in Zusammenarbeit mit vielen Verkäufern eine Vielzahl von Werbeaktionen an, die den Käufern neben den erheblichen Vorteilen von Cashback einen Überschuss an Möglichkeiten bieten, bei ihren Einkäufen zu sparen.
Der Black Friday bei Rakuten France verzeichnet eine hohe Nachfrage nach einer Vielzahl von Produkten, darunter Smartphones, OLED-Fernseher, Spielkonsolen, Küchenmaschinen, Laptops, Tablets sowie Bücher, DVDs, Videospiele, CDs und Spielzeug. Kurz gesagt, alles, was ein Weihnachtsgeschenk sein kann.
https://global.fr.shopping.rakuten.com/actualites/...es-black-friday/
92 % der E-Shopper sehen Online-Shopping als eine Möglichkeit, Zeit zu sparen (Quelle: FEVAD, 2023). Die gute Nachricht ist, dass Sie mit dem Online-Handel auch Geld sparen können (weniger Ausgaben)... Und das alles, während Sie mehr Käufer im Internet erreichen!
Diese befreiende Erfahrung voller Möglichkeiten, sich in Ruhe zu entwickeln und zu wachsen, entspricht dem, was wir bei Rakuten France anbieten. Unser Marktplatz ist eine E-Retail-Plattform, die sowohl Marken (die ihre Produkte direkt verkaufen können) als auch Einzelhändler (die über unseren Marktplatz vertreiben können) bedient.
Auch die Kunden können sich zurechtfinden: mehr Produktreferenzen, mehr Einfachheit beim Online-Shopping... Und immer ein Maximum an kommerziellen Angeboten, die das Erlebnis das ganze Jahr über unvergesslich machen.
Sind Sie ein Online-Händler? Ein Distributor? Egal, ob Sie ein Pure Player, ein Brick & Click-Unternehmen oder eine Marke mitten in einem Launch sind... Bei Rakuten France kommen Sie, wie Sie sind. Und genießen Sie eine Community von mehr als 12 Millionen Käufern, die bereit sind, Ihre Produkte zu entdecken.
https://global.fr.shopping.rakuten.com/actualites/...cificites-guide/
December 04, 2023
2023 was a year which buzzed with the keyword “AI” (artificial intelligence) and many could feel the future being unlocked through technology. In this video, we take a look back at Rakuten Group's innovative 2023, in which various businesses took on unprecedented challenges to reach new heights, and inspiring initiatives to empower society.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zfEpZ5qoIM
12.90% of shares held by the 10 top holders
Holder Shares§% Held
Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd.AS OF 31 OCT 2023 61.04m 2.85%
The Vanguard Group, Inc.AS OF 09 NOV 2023 38.17m 1.78%
Baillie Gifford & Co.AS OF 31 OCT 2023 35.11m 1.64%
Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd.AS OF 10 NOV 2023 30.01m 1.40%
Daiwa Asset Management Co. Ltd.AS OF 31 OCT 2023 28.50m 1.33%
BlackRock Fund AdvisorsAS OF 09 NOV 2023 28.09m 1.31%
FIL Investments InternationalAS OF 10 NOV 2023 20.20m 0.94%
BlackRock Advisors (UK) Ltd.AS OF 09 NOV 2023 12.18m 0.57%
Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co., Ltd.AS OF 10 NOV 2023 12.06m 0.56%
Arcus Investment Ltd.AS OF 29 SEP 2023 10.69m 0.50%
https://markets.ft.com/data/equities/tearsheet/profile?s=4755:TYO
Holder§Shares bought Shares held
Norges Bank Investment Management +6.69m / +189.54% 10.23m
Arcus Investment Ltd. +3.17m / +42.13% 10.69m
The Vanguard Group, Inc. +1.29m / +3.51% 38.17m
State Street Global Advisors Ltd. +908.89k / +198.17% 1.37m
State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System +416.20k / +21.29% 2.37m
Holder§Shares sold Shares held
Ruffer LLP -5.71m / -100.00% 0.00
Contrarius Investment Management Ltd. -1.96m / -100.00% 0.00
JPMorgan Asset Management (Japan) Ltd. -876.80k / -72.46% 333.30k
Baillie Gifford & Co. -663.10k / -1.85% 35.11m
BlackRock Investment Management LLC -619.86k / -40.62% 906.06k
https://markets.ft.com/data/equities/tearsheet/profile?s=4755:TYO
2023/11/29
Rakuten Insurance bringt den branchenweit ersten Katzen-Only-Tarif "Super Pet Insurance Cat" auf den Markt
"Super Pet Insurance Neko" ist eine Haustierversicherung exklusiv für Katzen, die die niedrigsten Versicherungsprämien der Branche erzielt. Dies ist ein Plan für Katzenbesitzer, die die minimalen Vorbereitungen für den Fall einer Operation oder eines Krankenhausaufenthalts treffen möchten, und die Versicherungsprämie ist sehr vernünftig (440 Yen pro Monat).
https://www.rakuten-insurance.co.jp/news/article/2023/20231129/
By Michal Bauernfreund
Something big has arrived on Viber: Viber Plus.
Viber Plus is the new premium subscription service that gives you more ways to customize and enjoy your Viber experience.
Viber users can continue to enjoy their favorite features for free (Communities, free calls and messages, lenses, and more are still exactly the same as they always were), but Viber Plus subscribers will get more, including exclusive features and services.
Just like Rakuten Viber, but better with no more ads
However, one key thing has also been removed from the Viber app for subscribers – ads. That’s right, no ads anywhere across the entire application, no matter what screen you are on. So if no ads is your jam, Viber Plus is an automatic winner.
Your Viber, Your Way
As mentioned above, Viber Plus offers more opportunities to use the Rakuten Viber app in your own way. From new stylish Rakuten Viber app icons, to invisible mode, check out these exclusive features:
Invisible mode
Privacy conscious Viber users have long been able to hide your online status and prevent others from seeing when you’ve read their message. But this does come with a downside – you can’t see that information from others either.
No more. Invisible mode lets you hide your own information while continuing to see when your contacts are online or when they have read your messages.
Read voice messages… in texts
We all have that one friend – the person who sends us a voice note at the most inconvenient moment. That’s why we are adding a brand new feature to Viber Plus, the ability to convert voice notes into text so that you can read it instead of you (and everyone else around you) having to listen to it.
Unlimited free stickers
Gain access to ALL of Viber’s sticker packs for free. For free. You’ll now be able to download and use literally thousands of Viber stickers in your chats, even the paid sticker packs you’ve seen but not wanted to pay for. No sticker will be denied to you, and we challenge you to keep the chat going only using stickers!
Get the personal touch
Viber Plus members can chat with a live support agent any time of day or night. Just remember, they can only solve your Viber-related issues. Anything else is up to you.
Jazz up your Viber app
Choose a specially created Viber icon for your mobile app, or put an exclusive badge on your avatar to share with your friends.
More exclusive features are coming all the time, so watch this space for an update.
Anyone can join Viber Plus
Viber Plus is now available for all users in the following countries: Egypt, Belgium, New Zealand, Ireland, UK, USA, France, Canada, Vietnam, Philippines, Australia, Kuwait, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and India.
Users in other countries keep an eye out for when it reaches your country.
Viber Plus is a monthly subscription only available from your Rakuten Viber app.
Subscribing is easy, simply tap the More button at the bottom of your Viber screen > Choose Viber Plus > and hit subscribe. Payment is handled through your app store, and the subscription can be canceled any time, also from your app store.
Like we said, just like Rakuten Viber, but better. So what are you waiting for? Subscribe to Viber Plus today and use Your Viber, Your Way now.
https://www.viber.com/en/blog/2023-10-04/introducing-viber-plus/
Over 18,000 discount plans for accommodations across the nation will be prepared, along with special sales plans and coupon distributions targeting domestic travel, domestic tours, rental cars, and express buses.
For domestic accommodations, a 10,000 yen coupon will be distributed for a one-hour limited period from 7 PM on December 7th, a 5,000 yen coupon for a four-hour limited period from 8 PM the same day, and a coupon up to 6,000 yen off for early bookings for the Golden Week period will be distributed for a five-hour limited period from 7 PM on December 14th. On days with a 5 or 0, these can also be combined with a coupon for up to 20% off.
Furthermore, as part of the ‘Support for Family & Group Travel! Early Booking Made Even More Affordable! Up to 3,000 Point Return!’ campaign, up to 3,000 points will be returned for family or group travel of three or more people. This applies to those who use eligible accommodations for domestic stays and tours, as well as international hotels and tours, and make online card payments.
https://en.traicy.com/posts/202312022047/