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/
Senior Vice President, Global Services Division Rakuten Symphony
August 5, 2025
At Rakuten Symphony, we are at the forefront of redefining how software for telecom networks are tested, validated, and deployed. In an industry where innovation is constant and the tolerance for failure is zero, traditional QA processes no longer meet the speed or scale required by next-generation networks.
The emergence of AI-powered Digital Twin Labs represents a fundamental shift in how we assure quality—replacing manual pipelines with intelligent, predictive systems that mirror the complexity of live environments and learn continuously from real-world data.
As telecom moves toward disaggregated networks and on-demand services, QA must become a strategic enabler. Rakuten Symphony’s AI-led QA labs not only assure quality—they accelerate innovation. With our digital twin approach, networks become self-aware, test environments self-heal, and quality becomes a constant, not a checkpoint.
https://symphony.rakuten.com/blog/...qa-with-ai-and-digital-twin-labs
August 12, 2025 by Sylwia Kechiche
As 5G matures and network virtualization becomes the new standard, our understanding of network performance must evolve. On July 23rd, I had the pleasure of hosting a fireside chat with Mahmoud Elsakhawy, General Manager of End-to-End Performance & Capacity at Rakuten Mobile, one of the world’s most ambitious and disruptive operators.
Over 30 minutes, we discussed how to measure user experience in a meaningful way, reflecting on how to stay relevant in a world shaped by real user behavior.
It’s not just about speed - and it never was
I opened the session with a simple but important question: Is speed still the most important KPI?
The answer, as Mahmoud eloquently put it, is no. While speed remains a critical element of performance, it's far from the whole story. Today's users expect more than fast downloads. They want reliability, responsiveness, and a seamless experience no matter where they are or what they’re doing. Whether streaming video, playing online games, or attending a virtual meeting, packet loss, jitter, and latency matter far more than headline speeds to ensure a good user experience.
As Mahmoud pointed out, “3Mbps is enough for 720p video, which is sufficient for smartphones but if the network isn’t stable, the experience still suffers.” This emphasis on stability over headline speeds aligns with how today's users interact with their networks: constantly connected, application-driven, and highly sensitive to quality fluctuations.
https://www.opensignal.com/2025/08/...-lessons-from-rakuten-mobile/jp
Rakuten Mobile’s results speak for themselves. Since its full scale 2020 launch, Rakuten Mobile has reached several milestones. As of July 2025, the operator surpassed 9 million subscribers, signaling growing credibility and appeal in one of the world’s most mature mobile markets.
This growth has been enabled by visible improvements in network quality, which Mahmoud credits to relentless focus on performance innovation.
In previous analyses of Rakuten Mobile’s journey using Opensignal subscriber analytics data, we explored the sources of its customer base, examining where consumers are switching from. An equally compelling aspect of the operator’s growth story is its inclusive retail strategy. The operator has invested in a multilingual retail staff presence, enabling meaningful engagement with Japan’s growing international population. These residents now account for 25% of all new subscriptions at Rakuten Mobile stores.
At the same time, Rakuten Mobile is gaining traction among younger generations, especially digital natives in their 20s and 30s as per the latest annual report. This is driven by several key factors:
Its app-based onboarding and account management, which appeals to users comfortable with digital self-service.
Affordable unlimited data plans, which offer a compelling alternative to more expensive tiered plans from legacy operators.
A strong brand presence within the Rakuten ecosystem, including integration with Rakuten Points and Rakuten Ichiba, incentivizing subscriptions through ecosystem loyalty rewards.
https://www.opensignal.com/2025/08/...-lessons-from-rakuten-mobile/jp
Rakuten, Aeon, and 7-Eleven Lead Japan's Intensely Competitive $3.87 Billion Market
The loyalty market in Japan is expected to grow by 15.4% on annual basis to reach US$3.87 billion in 2025. In value terms, the loyalty market in the country has recorded a CAGR of 17.1% during 2020-2024. The loyalty market in the country will continue to grow over the forecast period and is expected to record a CAGR of 12.9% during 2025-2029. Loyalty market in this region is expected to increase from US$3.35 billion in 2024 to reach US$6.29 billion by 2029.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...-market-intelligence-080100157.html
Rakuten Earnings: Mobile On Track to Full-Year EBITDA Breakeven; Shares Undervalued
Pujance Chan
Aug 11, 2025
Rakuten's June-quarter revenue grew by 11% from last year, and operating profit recovered to JPY 8.8 billion from last year's JPY 18 billion loss, mainly attributable to improvement in mobile losses.
https://www.morningstar.com/company-reports/...ven?listing=0P0000EGGL
Rakuten Group also achieved its first second quarter Non-GAAP operating income since 2019, recording 20.1 billion yen in profit, a marked improvement of 31.9 billion yen YoY.
“This marks the first time since 2019 that we’ve made an operating profit in the second quarter. This accomplishment is a direct result of revenue growth, stringent operational discipline and the advancement of efficiencies through data and AI,” noted Mikitani.
https://rakuten.today/blog/...n-gaap-operating-profit-since-2019.html
2,930 base stations added in Q2 – Part of Rakuten Mobile’s plan to deploy over 10,000 sites in 2025 to improve coverage and capacity.
Second consecutive EBITDA-positive quarter – Standalone EBITDA rose by JPY19.1 billion year-on-year to JPY5.6 billion.
Subscriber base nears 9 million – Up from 7.7 million a year earlier, alongside higher ARPU and mobile service revenue growth.
Japanese mobile operator Rakuten Mobile installed 2,930 new base stations during the second quarter of 2025 as part of a plan to deploy more than 10,000 sites this year to improve coverage and increase capacity.
During a conference call to discuss the telco’s quarterly results, the telco’s chairman Mickey Mikitani said the company will step up the rollout in the second half of the year, adding that Rakuten Mobile has made “significant improvements in network stability.”
The Japanese operator also reported subscriber and revenue growth in Q2, along with its second consecutive EBITDA-positive quarter.
By the end of June, the carrier had nearly 9 million subscribers across the Asian country, up from 7.7 million a year earlier. Mobile service revenue increased 26.9% to JPY47.7 billion ($323 million), with ARPU up 3.8% to JPY1,773. Total segment revenue rose 33.5% to JPY90.6 billion.
Meanwhile, Rakuten Symphony revenue climbed 53.8% to JPY18.1 billion, with six new contracts signed in the quarter, including one with U.S. carrier AT&T.
https://www.rcrwireless.com/20250811/5g/rakuten-mobile
2,930 base stations added in Q2 – Part of Rakuten Mobile’s plan to deploy over 10,000 sites in 2025 to improve coverage and capacity.
Second consecutive EBITDA-positive quarter – Standalone EBITDA rose by JPY19.1 billion year-on-year to JPY5.6 billion.
Subscriber base nears 9 million – Up from 7.7 million a year earlier, alongside higher ARPU and mobile service revenue growth.
Japanese mobile operator Rakuten Mobile installed 2,930 new base stations during the second quarter of 2025 as part of a plan to deploy more than 10,000 sites this year to improve coverage and increase capacity.
During a conference call to discuss the telco’s quarterly results, the telco’s chairman Mickey Mikitani said the company will step up the rollout in the second half of the year, adding that Rakuten Mobile has made “significant improvements in network stability.”
The Japanese operator also reported subscriber and revenue growth in Q2, along with its second consecutive EBITDA-positive quarter.
By the end of June, the carrier had nearly 9 million subscribers across the Asian country, up from 7.7 million a year earlier. Mobile service revenue increased 26.9% to JPY47.7 billion ($323 million), with ARPU up 3.8% to JPY1,773. Total segment revenue rose 33.5% to JPY90.6 billion.
Meanwhile, Rakuten Symphony revenue climbed 53.8% to JPY18.1 billion, with six new contracts signed in the quarter, including one with U.S. carrier AT&T.
https://www.rcrwireless.com/20250811/5g/rakuten-mobile
Pujance Chan
Aug 11, 2025
Rakuten's June-quarter revenue grew by 11% from last year, and operating profit recovered to JPY 8.8 billion from last year's JPY 18 billion loss, mainly attributable to improvement in mobile losses.
While Rakuten is most notable for its e-commerce platform, Rakuten Ichiba, we believe the company’s success in Japan lies in its first-mover advantage in establishing a comprehensive ecosystem composed of e-commerce, fintech, and mobile network services. Over the years, Rakuten accumulated over 40 million monthly active users, and close to 80% of users use more than two Rakuten services. We identify the convenience of accessing multiple services with one Rakuten ID and Rakuten’s point reward system as the main contributors for user stickiness.
https://www.morningstar.com/company-reports/...ven?listing=0P0000EGGL
Rakuten Securities' iSPEED surpasses 10 million downloads - Known for the convenience of trading domestic stocks, US stocks, and CFDs in one app
https://www.rakuten-sec.co.jp/web/company/newsrelease/fy2025.html
1 day ago
After 14 years, Sir Paul Smith has returned to the Tokyo Fashion Show – this time in collaboration with Rakuten’s ‘by R’ project. During Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO in March 2025, the veteran British designer teamed up with Rakuten Fashion to put on a show with a personal touch.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to showcase the collection here in Tokyo, as you know, I have a lot of respect for the city and its people,” said Sir Paul after the show. “It was a special show in many ways… I got to show both Men’s and Women’s collections together, which is not something we do very often, so I was very excited to share that.”
The Paul Smith Autumn/Winter 2025 show was planned and executed together with the ‘by R’ team – a project committed to empowering the Japanese fashion scene by placing the spotlight on select, unique brands. Along with a full livestream, limited-edition products were made available for purchase exclusively through Rakuten Fashion.
“We simply couldn’t have done this without Rakuten’s support,” said Sir Paul. “The team have been supportive in every step of the way and helped us navigate this Tokyo show. I always say that each country, each city has its own way of working and we want to respect that.”
Sir Paul has visited Tokyo more than 100 times. Alongside a deep appreciation for Japan and its culture, he highlights Tokyo’s energy and attention to craftsmanship as key sources of inspiration.
“Tokyo Fashion Week always has a great energy,” he said. “From when I first showed to now, it has given a global platform for local homegrown creatives to showcase their collections and it is wonderful to see their respect to craft and tradition.”
In late 2024, Paul Smith launched a store on Rakuten Fashion, connecting the brand with an even broader audience in Japan. Sir Paul sees shared values in the partnership surrounding creativity, accessibility, and nurturing the next generation of talent.
“Rakuten Fashion have committed to nurturing young creatives as well as their mission to make Tokyo a global fashion destination,” he said. “So, for Paul Smith to be a part of this narrative is truly wonderful and I am thrilled that this is the start of a long-lasting partnership.”
Rakuten launched the ‘by R’ project in 2019 to support designers by giving them a stage in Tokyo, both strengthening the local fashion scene and promoting cultural exchange. For younger creatives building their voice in today’s fast-moving industry, Sir Paul stressed the importance of authenticity.
“It is wonderful to see homegrown talent being celebrated in Tokyo and in many ways, it is important to stay true to your roots,” he said. “I think a lot of my success came from the ‘Britishness’ of Paul Smith and it is great to see how warmly we were welcomed across the globe. I do think it is equally important to respect the nuances in markets and cultures but finding a balance to stay true to your roots is key, as well as having a clear point of view.”
After a successful collaboration and valuable cultural exchange, the ‘by R’ team is more motivated than ever to continue its mission: empowering the Japanese fashion scene by placing the spotlight on select, unique brands loved by a broad range of fans both in Japan and globally.
https://rakuten.today/blog/...nes-at-by-r-show-in-tokyo%ef%bf%bc.html
12 hours ago
When Rakuten Mobile, Inc. Chairman Mickey Mikitani and U-NEXT Co., Ltd. Chairman Yasuhide Uno first teamed up to launch an OTT streaming service back in 2002, the very idea of watching movies and TV online was still in its infancy.
Now, more than two decades later, their shared vision for digital entertainment has brought the two together once more, with a major new offering for mobile users nationwide.
On June 23, 2025, Mikitani and Uno announced “Rakuten Saikyo U-NEXT.” This new Rakuten Mobile package promises both unlimited data and unlimited access to Japan’s number one selection of streaming titles via U-NEXT.
A vision two decades in the making
The roots of the partnership dates back to 2002. Mikitani and Uno first collaborated on “Showtime,” an early content distribution service. At the time, internet infrastructure was still developing and going online required connecting up to a LAN cable. Speeds topped 1 Mbps, meaning widespread, high-quality streaming was not yet feasible. But Showtime offered a glimpse of what was to come. The internet would soon seamlessly deliver entertainment to people’s screens.
Today, the technological landscape has changed considerably. Wireless connectivity is second-nature and mobile users can enjoy speeds exceeding 4Gbps in Japan. With Rakuten Mobile’s growing 4G and 5G network and U-NEXT’s massive content library, that original vision is soon to be realized at scale.
Commenting on the partnership, Mikitani explained, “Rakuten Mobile is committed to providing our customers with the best possible mobile experience at an affordable price. Now partnering with U-NEXT allows us to deliver on that commitment by offering something truly unique: Unlimited data combined with unlimited entertainment with Rakuten Saikyo U-NEXT.”
Unlimited data and unlimited entertainment
At the heart of the collaboration is the Rakuten Saikyo U-NEXT package, unveiled in June. For a monthly fee of 3,880 yen*1 (4,268 yen including tax), subscribers will receive:
Unlimited mobile data on Rakuten Mobile’s network
Full access to U-NEXT’s extensive streaming library
More than 200 magazines and 3,000+ children’s books
Live concerts and, starting this fall, select soccer matches
Users can enjoy the new package from October 2025, with service available nationwide.
For those unfamiliar with Japan’s digital market, the country is one of the world’s most competitive OTT streaming arenas, with consumers highly engaged in mobile content. Rakuten Mobile has built its reputation on delivering disruptive value. Meanwhile U-NEXT stands out with the largest streaming catalog in Japan, spanning movies, dramas, anime and more.
The partnership marks a strategic move by Mikitani and Uno to combine connectivity and content. This mirrors a global trend where telecom operators are seeking new growth opportunities beyond traditional data plans.
U-NEXT: The growing force in Japan’s streaming market
Founded in 2007 as part of USEN Corporation before becoming independent, U-NEXT began as a video distribution platform and quickly established itself as a pioneer in subscription-based streaming in Japan. It was among the first services to introduce unlimited video-on-demand, later expanding into e-books, manga and live events.
Today, the company holds the second-largest OTT market share in Japan and number one collection of titles available for streaming. Under the leadership of Uno, U-NEXT has achieved consistent growth within the competitive OTT market by anticipating consumer needs and diversifying its content offerings.
This strong position in the entertainment market makes U-NEXT a powerful partner as Rakuten Mobile seeks to differentiate its services and drive further growth.
Rakuten Mobile’s next phase of growth
In its recent Q2 2025 results, Rakuten Mobile reported 9.08 million subscribers as of July 31, and a year-on-year (YoY) revenue increase of 33.5%. The profit margin expanded from the previous quarter due to increasing subscribers and improved ARPU, marking steady progress towards the company’s goal of full-year EBITDA*2 profitability in 2025. Operating losses also continued to improve by 13.9 billion yen YoY.
The new partnership with U-NEXT is expected to further accelerate subscriber numbers by delivering a unique entertainment-driven proposition. By introducing the next big thing in mobile entertainment, Rakuten Mobile aims to create a catalyst for the next phase of growth and innovation.
https://rakuten.today/blog/...-big-thing-in-mobile-entertainment.html
I maintain my Buy rating on Rakuten, driven by strong Q2 EBITDA and the presence of multiple catalysts. The Mobile unit outperformed, achieving positive EBITDA and subscriber growth, with ARPU boosted by high-volume data users. Valuation discounts should narrow as Rakuten demonstrates intra-group synergies and accelerates deleveraging.
https://aktien.guide/aktien/Rakuten-JP3967200001
April 23, 2025
Diversify your affiliate program and watch your performance soar! Our latest Partner Spotlight highlights the innovative up-and-coming publishers on the Rakuten Advertising network.
The most powerful affiliate programs thrive on discovery. At Rakuten Advertising, we’ve watched the world best brands transform their performance by embracing diverse publisher models. They understand that different publishers reach different audiences in different ways. And the impact is powerful.
As today’s consumers navigate a complex digital journey before purchasing, they seek inspiration from new platforms. They turn to creators and content publishers for validation and source the best incentives from across the web. Limiting your affiliate program to a small number of publisher types means missing crucial touchpoints along the path to purchase.
Our latest Affiliate Partner Spotlight highlights innovative up-and-coming publishers on our network. They’re creating fresh approaches to audience engagement, developing new technologies, and pioneering content formats that capture attention in unexpected ways.
Ready to discover new publishers for your program? Let’s explore the rising stars on the Rakuten Advertising Network.
Mastercard
Mastercard Personalised Card Linked Offers connects merchants to consumers through established cashback programs. Mastercard’s partnership with Medibank’s Live Better Rewards connects merchants to their 800k Live Better members, across 3 key categories – Eat, Move and Feel. Live Better Rewards is the fastest growing Health & Wellbeing program in Australia.
Mastercard Travel Rewards is a global card-linked offers program designed to bring affluent overseas travellers to local businesses, incentivising them to spend more. Merchants can leverage their audience of 450M+ users worldwide to advertise their brand on a global scale via trusted banking partners worldwide.
ThinkWink
ThinkWink is a provider of marketing services and white-label solutions focused on maximising customer lifetime value and fostering strong customer bases. The company manages notable loyalty programs for organizations such as HCF, RACQ, RAA, IMAR, AJG Gallagher, and McMillan Shakespeare, offering advertisers the opportunity to engage with millions of users from different backgrounds across Australia.
Sortd
Sortd is a mobile app that centralises the entire shopping journey from discovery to purchase. Users can keep track of items from any online store and compare their options using the Wishlist functionality. Using this data, Sortd curate highly personalised experiences to introduce these customers to new retailers and products and ultimately drive conversion for retailers. Sortd transforms passive shopping behaviour into active involvement, turning every user interaction into valuable insights to unlock revenue opportunities for retailers.
Carted
Carted is the ultimate wishlist app for shopping lovers. Users can save any product from any store and get alerts when it is restocked or goes on sale. Once a Carted user is ready to purchase, we send them back to the retailer’s site.
Their niche shopping audience is highly motivated and engaged in the shopping experience. Carted capture buying intent that is often lost in open tabs, screenshots and notes, helping shoppers make bettering buying decisions which leads to stronger brand affinity and less returns.
Centennial World
A leading Gen Z publisher, Centennial World is the go-to destination globally for news, features and opinion related to creators and internet culture. Reaching 15 million Gen Z’s monthly across TikTok, Podcasts, Newsletter and Website. The Centennial World team work across tech, beauty and lifestyle categories, through cross-network content partnerships, hosting, brand activations and Gen Z research and consulting – to help brands reach Gen Z on the platforms where they live, with authentic messaging that resonates.
HeyMax
HeyMax is a Singapore-based fintech loyalty platform that transforms everyday spending into travel rewards, allowing users to collect miles and maximise their travel experiences.
HeyMax users earn “Max Miles” on their everyday purchases from over 500 brands, and can be redeemed for any flights with HeyMax’s Fly Anywhere program or at 28+ airlines and hotels. Max Miles never expire, giving more value to users. Brands partnering with HeyMax have access to a growing community of engaged and affluent travellers. Brands win by acquiring new users, driving loyalty and increased revenue with HeyMax’s engaged users; HeyMax users win by getting to earn Max Miles from their purchases. This performance-driven affiliate model aligns with brands’ goals and ensures that brands only pay for successful conversions.
Wishlink
Wishlink is a next-gen social commerce platform in India, featuring over 20k+ influencers ranging from nano to mega across Instagram & Youtube. It empowers creators to monetise their content by seamlessly integrating affiliate marketing tools with their social media presence.
Influencers can share personalised product links, automate engagement through direct messages and comments, and earn commissions from sales generated by products showcased in ~180k+ reels, posts, and videos on a monthly basis. The platform employs AI-driven matchmaking to connect brands with suitable creators ensuring targeted outreach and improved ROI.
High-performing advertisers know that publisher diversity is about strategic advantage. By incorporating emerging publishers alongside established partners, you create a program that adapts to changing consumer behaviours and captures opportunities other miss.
Want to make the most of our diverse affiliate network? Let’s connect!
https://blog.rakutenadvertising.com/en-au/...liate-partner-spotlight/
August 13, 2025
Cartera is a Rakuten company that plays a crucial role in powering many of the most prominent loyalty programs in the US for top-tier airlines and financial businesses, helping members to earn more rewards. The programs it develops boast 200 million members, facilitating 1 billion USD in purchases and awarding nearly 3 billion rewards annually. As Cartera celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025, we caught up with key figures in the company at Rakuten Optimism in the US to reflect on its journey so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHcpjUjCw-g&t=39s
https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/5838.T/
Value of the 50% of Rakuten = $ 5.1 billion.
Q3/2021: $ 11 billion
Q4/2021: $ 61 billion
Q1/2022: $ 67 billion
Q2/2022: $ 88 billion
Q3/2022: $ 90 billion
Q4/2022: $ 231 billion
Q1/2023: $ 76 billion
Q2/2023: $ 72 billion
Q 3/2023: $ 84 billion
Q4/2023: $ 161 billion
Q1/2024: $ 110 billion
Q2/2024: $ 85 billion
Q 3/2024: $ 108 billion
Q4/2023: $ 300 billion
Q1/2024: $ 91 billion
Q2/2024: $ 121 billion
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/investors/
Q3/2021: $ 11 billion
Q4/2021: $ 61 billion
Q1/2022: $ 67 billion
Q2/2022: $ 88 billion
Q3/2022: $ 90 billion
Q4/2022: $ 231 billion
Q1/2023: $ 76 billion
Q2/2023: $ 72 billion
Q 3/2023: $ 84 billion
Q4/2023: $ 161 billion
Q1/2024: $ 110 billion
Q2/2024: $ 85 billion
Q 3/2024: $ 108 billion
Q4/2024: $ 300 billion
Q1/2025: $ 91 billion
Q2/2025: $ 121 billion
global.rakuten.com/corp/investors/
August 12, 2025
Edge cloud will enhance Japan’s already impressive track record of customer service, executives from Google Cloud and Rakuten Cloud told Rakuten AI Optimism on August 1. Vijay Tewari, Director, Product Management, Google Cloud Platform and Anirban Chakravartti (Oni), Senior Vice President of Enterprise Cloud Sales for the Cloud Business Unit (Rakuten Cloud), Rakuten Symphony joined Rakuten Symphony’s Director of Corporate Communications James Dartnell to find out how the Rakuten Cloud-Google Distributed Cloud partnership is enabling AI-driven applications at the edge across industries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ210o4WStc&t=3s
https://www.tipranks.com/news/...s-call-strong-growth-amid-challenges
May 13, 2025
Join SK from Rakuten Symphony as he speaks with Tarkan Alagoz, Chief Revenue Officer from Odine, about their exciting partnership and expansion plans. Discover how Odine & Rakuten Symphony are leveraging cutting-edge 5G technology to revolutionize connectivity in Turkey, the Middle East, and Africa. In this video, we dive into:
The booming 5G landscape and opportunities in Turkey
Odine's ambitious vision for expanding into the African market
How Rakuten Symphony's solutions are perfectly matched to address Africa's unique challenges.
The value that Rakuten Symphony brings to the market and to Odine.
Learn how this partnership is set to benefit Africa and potentially expand to other regions in the future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcGrQ8leXjM
by Marcin Frąckiewicz on 14 August 2025
AST SpaceMobile: Texas-based AST SpaceMobile is building a constellation of BlueBird satellites designed as space-based cellular broadband towers. AST made headlines in April 2023 by conducting the world’s first space-based two-way voice call directly with standard smartphones (no special handset needed) en.wikipedia.org fierce-network.com. In that test, a call from a Samsung Galaxy S22 in Texas went through AST’s BlueWalker 3 test satellite and down to Rakuten’s network in Japan, using AT&T’s cellular spectrum satellitetoday.com fierce-network.com. By September 2023, AST had also demonstrated the first 5G phone call from space, calling from a dead zone in Hawaii to a Vodafone engineer in Spain via the satellite fierce-network.com fierce-network.com. They even achieved a 4G/5G data session around 14 Mbps downlink on a 5 MHz channel during tests fierce-network.com – slow by terrestrial standards, but a major proof of concept. AST’s approach is to launch relatively few very large satellites, each with high capacity. In September 2024, the company launched its first 5 commercial satellites (BlueBird 1–5) on a SpaceX rocket ast-science.com space.com. These BlueBird satellites have beams up to 40 MHz wide, potentially delivering up to ~120 Mbps per beam in ideal conditions about.att.com businesswire.com. AST is backed by major telecom companies: Vodafone, Rakuten (Japan), American Tower, Bell Canada, and AT&T have all invested in or partnered with AST businesswire.com businesswire.com. In fact, AT&T, Vodafone, and even Google poured $155 million of strategic funding into AST in early 2024 to help it roll out this tech businesswire.com businesswire.com. AST boasts that it has agreements with over 40 mobile operators worldwide (covering 2+ billion subscribers) keen to use its satellite-to-phone service once ready businesswire.com fierce-network.com. The plan is to start with equatorial coverage and scale to global coverage by late 2025 or 2026 by launching dozens of satellites on Blue Origin and other rockets spacenews.com. The ultimate vision: deliver broadband (not just texting) to standard phones, effectively a space-based 4G/5G network. As AST’s CEO Abel Avellan said, “Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers” businesswire.com businesswire.com.
https://ts2.tech/en/...ect,(and%2520on%2520regulatory%2520approvals).
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...mmercial-spaceflight-102611125.html