Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket
By Geoff Hollingworth
Chief Marketing Officer Rakuten Symphony
April 21, 2022
Transforming a global industry requires more than just game-changing technology, innovative business models or visionary leadership. It requires communication.
To successfully upend the status quo, a disruptor must be able to explain the benefits of its radical approach – and take on the tough questions that result from doing things differently.
At Rakuten Symphony, we believe in our transformative vision, and we’re confident that through open communication and our “no more secrets” approach, the industry will continue to change their way of thinking as well.
That’s why we’re introducing a new series, where we will take on telecom’s toughest questions.
A critical choice for the future of telco
If there’s one thing the mobile industry, indeed the world, has learned over the past two years, it’s that connectivity is impossible to live without – on par with electricity and water.
To live up to this increasing status as essential service providers, MNOs across the globe continue to build out the generation of their networks on a ten-year cycle – always hyping the next “G.”
For their next upgrade however, MNOs have a critical choice: stick with the legacy network approach – costly, proprietary, closed ecosystems – or choose a new one that is cloud-based, agile, open and automated.
"MNOs need a new operating model for their business that is not anchored to the past."
- Geoff Hollingworth, CMO, Rakuten Symphony
This new open approach to building networks might look risky to some, but in reality, sticking to the status quo sold by legacy vendors could saddle MNOs with a network that is too expensive and rigid for the next generation of telco. As we move into a "post G” future, flexible and simplified new service deployments are the key to success. Choose the right way and your network and services can be more competitive and more profitable.
There are three forces causing the mobile industry to rethink and resync on how it builds networks.
New Network Technologies: How MNOs can build their networks has forever changed due to cloud, edge and automation technologies. Cloud-native and open standards have impacted all network functions, allowing 5G networks to adopt cloud technologies for cost-effective and scalable compute infrastructure. Edge network expansion is driven by the exponential demand growth needing ever more increasingly intelligent network coverage. Manual management and maintenance of this cloud-based network will make it impossible to deliver service levels and new services without the automation that is needed to simplify and react to network changes.
Demand for New Services: We are living in an era where the potential for amazing new wireless services is as great as it’s ever been. Even video streaming, which is not new, is still remarkable and is driving huge quantities of wireless data throughput. Add to that augmented reality/virtual reality, autonomous cars, the internet of things, and other services not yet developed, and the business potential for mobile networks is wide open. But there’s a caveat to that opportunity – MNOs need to go after it. So far, this has been slow to develop. Bloomberg Businessweek declares that 5G has been a “$100 billion whiff,” with MNOs on the verge of repeating the 4G experience of investing in a network build-out only to see over-the-top players swoop in and steal away revenue. To avoid this, MNOs need a new operating model for their business that is not anchored to the past.
Competition: Greenfield network operators have sprung up in Germany, Japan and the U.S. and are in position to use their lower cost infrastructure to put pressure on service prices across the industry. That’s what is happening in Japan, where the Rakuten Mobile service is the first greenfield network to operate an open-standard, virtualized network. The company was able to launch with a simple, single, low-cost unlimited data plan with pricing that varied depending on data usage. This has caused competitors to cut their prices, with Japanese smartphone fees dropping by around 60% after Rakuten Mobile’s entry into the market. The choice of the right network can provide the margin that MNOs need to stay profitable in this environment.
"The time is now to deliver the world’s most advanced networks, in accelerated timeframes, yet at much lower cost to plan, build and operate."
For these reasons and more, now is the time for a change. Now is the time to build networks in a new way based on open principles with better operational efficiency and engineered to be even more reliable than a proprietary network. Rakuten Symphony has captured all of these benefits, along with an ecosystem of applications in the industry’s pioneering platform: Symworld.
Symworld: It’s about time
The Symworld platform includes 70 applications from Rakuten Symphony in addition to partner applications from our rapidly growing ecosystem. These include 5G core, Open RAN software, RAN intelligent controller (RIC), service assurance, security and customer experience management and more.
During MWC 2022 in Barcelona, Rakuten Symphony added to its ecosystem with the announcement of Nokia adding its cloud-native core software to the Symworld marketplace. In addition, Cisco and Rakuten Symphony signed a strategic agreement to validate and certify their combined solutions for operators worldwide. And most recently we announced the addition of F5.
All of these applications and cloud native functions will live in the cloud where, for the first time, MNOs will be able to deploy new networks remotely and dial up new levels of capacity or services according to their subscriber needs.
"If there’s one thing the mobile industry, indeed the world, has learned over the past two years, it’s that connectivity is impossible to live without – on par with electricity and water."
Automation of the network is critical for deploying next generation services on cloud and edge infrastructures. Symworld offers automation across all the facets of telecom functions from planning to building, to operation and to support. The benefit is seamless scaling and maintenance of the network.
MNOs can use Symworld to evaluate, trial or deploy a network, with all of the network functions required for success.
The cost effectiveness of the network is based on using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) server hardware and Rakuten Symphony has developed Symware to provide hardware that is designed with the performance needed for advanced 5G networks, while offering it via an innovative subscription model. Once installed, Symware self-provisions in minutes and has built in zero touch provisioning that allows remote and automated maintenance.
Building next-gen networks
There is a new way to build the network of the future – a network that is less expensive, higher performance, open and agile. But it requires a break from the past and an embrace of new technology and network architectures. The benefits are significant and include delivering reliable and high performing services, while also giving MNOs a platform for profitable innovation.
If mobile networks have, in fact, reached essential status, that mandates that these networks be always on, always reliable and always fast. The time is now to deliver the world’s most advanced networks, in accelerated timeframes, yet at much lower cost to plan, build and operate.
https://symphony.rakuten.com/blog/...uild-mobile-networks-differently
Viber’s new two-step verification feature will allow its users to authenticate their accounts in order to reduce the risk of account hijacking and protect their privacy.
Messaging on Viber is already end-to-end encrypted, eliminating third parties from accessing its data, and the disappearing message feature allows users further control over who sees their messages.
The latest two-step verification feature is another example of Viber’s unwavering adherence to privacy and will give users the reassurance they need when communicating within Viber.
Users who choose to enable the two-step verification feature will create a six-digit PIN number and verify their email address. In order to log in to Viber on a mobile device or desktop, the user will have to verify the account by providing their individual PIN code.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2022/04/24/...520and%2520email.
Rakuten Bank's value of deposits 2013-2022
Published by L. Kettenhofen, Apr 8, 2022
As of March 2022, the value of deposits at Rakuten Bank, Ltd. amounted to 7.77 trillion Japanese yen, an increase of 34.7 percent compared to the previous year. Rakuten Bank, Ltd. is a Japanese online bank that belongs to the Rakuten Group.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1230753/...ank-value-of-deposits/
Tokyo, January 4, 2022 - Rakuten Bank, Ltd. today announced that its total balance of deposits (non-consolidated) has surpassed seven trillion yen as of the end of December 2021.
Rakuten Bank became the first online bank in Japan to surpass 11 million accounts in July 2021, and the number of Rakuten Bank accounts continues to grow steadily. In recent years, the company has strengthened collaborations across the Rakuten Group's diverse portfolio of services, with initiatives such as the Super Point Up Program, which scales up the percentage of points earned on Rakuten Ichiba, and provision of the Money Bridge service, which connects Rakuten Bank and Rakuten Securities accounts. The number of Money Bridge-linked accounts surpassed three million in December 2021, the same month in which the amount of total balance of deposits surpassed four trillion yen, as the number of customers using multiple Rakuten financial services continues to increase.
http://www.publicnow.com/view/C487E897DCE769F5EE6C30038F658CD74E157B6B
1&1 currently provides mobile services to nearly 11 million customers, mainly through a wholesale arrangement with rival operator Telefonica Deutschland.
Since the acquisition of its 5G license, the company has been selecting tech partners for the construction of its network. 1&1 had selected Japanese company Rakuten Group to design, build and operate a fully virtualized mobile network based O-RAN technology. The telco has also signed a long-term tower rental agreement with Vodafone Group’s Vantage Towers AG.
In August 2021, 1&1 and Rakuten Group announced a long-term partnership to build the former’s mobile network in Germany. Through this deal, Rakuten became the general contractor for the 1&1 mobile network.
Specifically, Rakuten will take over the build of the active network equipment and will also be responsible for the overall performance of the 1&1 mobile network. The German telco will have access to the Rakuten Communications Platform (RCP) stack of access, core, cloud and operations solutions as well as to its partner network. The deal also stipulates that Rakuten will provide its orchestration software so that the 1&1 network can be operated in a highly automated manner.
Rakuten Group also previously announced the launch of Rakuten Symphony as a new business organization to spearhead the global adoption of cloud-native open RAN infrastructure and services, including the Rakuten Communications Platform (RCP) by mobile network operators, enterprises and government bodies.
With operations across Japan, the United States, Singapore, India, Europe and the Middle East Africa region, Rakuten Symphony aims to bring together all of Rakuten’s telco products, services and solutions under a single global portfolio to offer 4G and 5G infrastructure and platform solutions to customers worldwide.
https://www.rcrwireless.com/20220316/5g/...urth-mobile-network-report
SBI Sumishin Net Bank (7163 JP) IPO: Listing in March
16 Feb 2022 12:31
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
SBI Sumishin Net Bank (7163 JP)'s listing has been approved by the JPX and the stock is expected to start trading on 24 March.
News reports indicate a raise of US$1bn (JPY 115.5bn). This translates to an IPO price of JPY 1,920/share, valuing the company at JPY 300bn (US$2.59bn).
https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/...px-inclusion-possibly-in-april
SBI Sumishin Net Bank to postpone $1.2 billion IPO
Mar 7, 2022
Japan's SBI Sumishin Net Bank Ltd. said on Monday that it will postpone a planned $1.2 billion initial public offering (IPO) scheduled for this month due to the market downturn triggered by the war in Ukraine.
SBI Sumishin Net Bank, equally owned by SBI Holdings Inc and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, would have been the first online bank to go public in Japan.
Globally, several companies have put IPO plans on hold due to the market impact of events in Ukraine.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/03/07/...umishin-ipo-postpone/
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Rakuten Bank's number of bank accounts 2013-2022
Published by L. Kettenhofen, Apr 8, 2022
As of March 2022, the number of bank accounts at Rakuten Bank, Ltd. reached 12.31 million. Rakuten Bank was the first online bank in Japan to surpass 10 million accounts. Since 2012, the number of bank accounts has more than doubled.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1230750/...mber-of-bank-accounts/
Rakuten Bank Surpasses Seven Trillion Yen in Total Deposit Balance
Tokyo, January 4, 2022 – Rakuten Bank, Ltd. today announced that its total balance of deposits (non-consolidated) has surpassed seven trillion yen as of the end of December 2021.
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/update/2022/0104_02.html
Numbers of SBI Sumishin Net Bank
Apr 19, 2022
The Japanese banking services was founded in September 2007 by SBI Holdings and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank as a specialized Internet bank and has progressively extended its operations to become one of Japan’s largest Internet banks, with over 4 million accounts, JPY 5.5 trillion in deposits, and a total of more than JPY 6 trillion in mortgage loans since its inception.
https://www.techgenyz.com/2022/04/19/...omes-accessible-on-apple-pay/
25 April 2022
Rakuten TV presents its free channels within its mobile applications. We tell you all the details.
Rakuten TV, a video-on-demand platform, added a series of free channels (with advertising) last year, but it was only available on televisions, and now is now available on both web and mobile devices.
More than 80 channels They are the ones that finally reach the web and Android and iOS versions of the platform, which offer all kinds of content; movies, series, documentaries, sports, music…
One of the most notable features of Rakuten TV is the no need to register to be able to enjoy these channels. To do this we simply have to install the application, or open the web and we can enjoy all the content directly.
Among these channels we find different categorieswhich are: movies, series, entertainment, sports, lifestyle, cooking, music, children’s, slow TV, documentaries, news and highlights.
Each of these categories They have a large number of channels. that offer us different options to enjoy diverse content.
So you can watch free movies online on Rakuten TV
At ComputerHoy we have tested this platform, and we can say that there is a more than enough amount of content, and the quality of it is quite good offering streaming up to Full HD quality.
https://unlihow.com/de/...e-channels-for-mobile-phones-entertainment/
Similar like the following of SBI Sumishin Net Bank could Rakuten planning too:
„The SBI Sumishin deal had been set for March 24 and its total value was expected to be around 132 billion yen ($1.2 billion), with the bank seen raising around 10 billion yen, according to filings. The bulk of the sale was to come from SBI Holdings and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank selling shares.“
https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/...0Bank%2520selling%2520shares.
The version of Rakuten Bank with a about 50% higher value than SBI Sumishin Net Bank could be after my estimates:
„The Rakuten Bank deal and its total value was expected to be around 198 billion yen ($1.8 billion), with the bank seen raising around 15 billion yen, according to filings. The bulk of the sale was to come from Rakuten.“
Dr. Andreas Beck: Märkte verstehen und erfolgreich wissenschaftlich Investieren - ½
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeNlxL7qWXY
Telefonica is planning to deploy Open RAN technology in the below three phases:
Initial Phase (2020-2021): Pilots & Trials
Phase 1 (2021-2022): Initial deployments
Phase 2 (2022 and onwards): Massive deployments in Spain, Brazil, Germany, and the UK
The objective is to deploy Open RAN in 50% of the network between 2022-2025. Telefonica also signed an agreement with Rakuten Mobile in Sep 2020 for research and lab trials supporting OpenRAN architecture, jointly developing proposals for optimal 5G RAN architecture and OpenRAN models.
In Brazil, Telefonica’s brand Vivo already conducted Open RAN technology-based trials for 4G and 5G with Mavenir, Parallel Wireless, Altiostar, Supermicro, Intel, Gigatera Communications, and Xilinx.
In Argentina, Telefonica’s brand Movistar conducts Open RAN proof-of-concept with Altiostar, RedHat, Quanta, Gigatera, Kontron, and IBM.
Telefonica’s Deutschland went live with the Open RAN network at three sites in Landsberg am Lech, Bavaria, and plans to deploy Open RAN at 1000 sites in Germany by the end of 2022. The ecosystem vendor for Open RAN deployment includes Altiostar, Gigatera Communications, Dell, Intel, Red Hat, Supermicro, Xilinx, and NEC.
In Jan 2020 Telefonica O2 initiated a range of Open RAN (O-RAN) projects to provide better network service to its customers in the rural areas and dense urban hubs, with the expectation of commercial deployment in the next 18-24 months. O2 partnered with non-traditional RAN vendors – Mavenir, DenseAir, and WaveMobile for the O-RAN projects.
In partnership with Mavenir, O2 enhanced coverage and capacity in high-density environments in London. They provide enhanced mobile connectivity and a better customer experience in areas such as stadiums to shopping centers.
In partnership with DenseAir, O2 is deploying O-RAN-based 4G and 5G networks at Millbrook. O2 works with Millbrook Proving Ground, a neutral host provider for public and private 5G connectivity, for testing and developing CAV technology.
O2 has deployed O-RAN-based coverage solutions developed with WaveMobile, across several sites in the UK, including Woldingham, Surrey, which carry mobile traffic for O2 customers
In Jan 2021, leveraging the work done in the last 12 months, O2 conducted a successful Open RAN trial with NEC, Altiostar, GigaTera, Supermicro, and other ecosystem partners.
NEC developed customized Open RAN architecture, conducted end-to-end testing and interoperability verification in its UK center of excellence running via O2’s core network
Alitostar provided the virtualized RAN software
GigaTera and Supermicro provided the hardware for the trial
https://tecknexus.com/5g-network/current-state-of-open-ran-europe/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8SXvam9c_k
https://hybridtip.com/...-digital-future-digital-platforms-providers/
2022-04-26 by rehow
With the introduction of “Rakuten Point Card”, all payment services provided by Rakuten Group will be available at Seiyu stores nationwide. As a result, Seiyu will become the largest supermarket in Japan where “Rakuten points” can be accumulated and used. Users can accumulate “Rakuten points” according to the amount spent by presenting the “Rakuten point card” at the target store, and can also use the accumulated points at the time of payment. Also, if you show your “Rakuten point card” and pay with “Rakuten pay (app payment)”, “Rakuten card”, or electronic money “Rakuten Edy”, you will earn “Rakuten points” for each of the point card presentation and payment. You can receive up to 2% point reduction at any time.
In the “Rakuten Seiyu App”, in addition to the ordering and payment functions of “Rakuten Seiyu Net Super”, “Rakuten Point Card” and “Rakuten Pay (app payment)” can also be used at the target stores, with just one app. You can save “Rakuten points” and pay for them. You can also get campaigns and deals. In August of this year, we plan to gradually expand the functions, such as installing a coupon function that can be used at both stores and online supermarkets, and providing point-up information for each product handled at stores and online supermarkets.
With the introduction of “Rakuten Point Card”, all Rakuten payment services will be available, utilizing a strong customer base with more than 100 million members, mainly new users not only online but also offline. We will try to expand the whole.
Seiyu will further expand the “Rakuten Seiyu Net Super” operated in collaboration with the Rakuten Group, and aim to become a leading OMO retailer in Japan through digital marketing conducted through the Rakuten payment service and the “Rakuten Seiyu App”.
Rakuten aims to empower the supermarket industry all over Japan by developing it as an OMO platform based on the collaboration system with Seiyu.
Established in 1963, Seiyu provides groceries, daily necessities, household goods, and clothing to customers nationwide from Hokkaido to Kyushu through more than 300 stores of “Seiyu,” “Sunny,” and “LIVIN” and “Rakuten Seiyu Net Super.” We are offering goods. With the mission of realizing “the happiness that Seiyu is close to,” we have a lineup of valuable products that can meet the diverse needs and needs of our customers, and we offer them at reasonable prices through thorough operational efficiency and technology. increase. Furthermore, by maximizing the strengths of our shareholders, KKR, Rakuten, and Wal-Mart, we aim to become an industry leader in OMO services that integrate stores and the Internet, making it easier for customers to “get rid of” in their daily lives. We continue to innovate and take on the challenge of becoming a company that makes you feel delicious (delicious and convenient).
Rakuten Payment Co., Ltd. was established in April 2019 as a company that develops services centered on the payment and marketing fields in the Rakuten Group. Currently, we operate services such as “Rakuten Pay (app payment)”, “Rakuten Pay (real store payment)”, “Rakuten Point Card”, “Rakuten Edy”, and “Rakuten Check”. We provide friendly, convenient and safe payment services to our customers, and provide business support to member stores through a wide range of payment services tailored to the type of business and business category and marketing programs that utilize data.
https://re-how.net/all/1860490/
Rakuten Mobile has achieved 96% population coverage for its 4G service in Japan. Check out the ceremonial procedure of turning on the base station in Yamaguchi Prefecture to reach 96%, as well as comments from executives who had led the company to achieve this target four years ahead of schedule. *Please note that the job titles of Rakuten Mobile executives in this video is current as of the date of the event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asxe1YR1x-k
Catch highlights of Rakuten Mobile's press conference held on February 25, 2022, about upcoming changes in its leadership and management organization, with Mickey assuming the position of Chairman, Tareq Amin becoming CEO, and Shunsuke Yazawa becoming President of the company from March 30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCbFZN_4pV0
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Three months after ShopBack, the Asia-Pacific’s cashback network, launched ShopBack Pay that allows shoppers to use their preferred payment method while amassing cash rewards, the company is adding another feature, VulcanPost.com reported.
The new tool for consumers is a QR scan-and-pay feature that allows ShopBack users to not only get cashback online, but also at brick-and-mortar stores.
With ShopBack Pay, customers can link their favorite payment methods to make in-store purchases and amass more cashback atop of rewards from their selected payment method.
On average, users can get 5% cashback from ShopBack Pay, though some popular merchants offer as much as 12 to 20%.
In February, Bloomberg reported the company is hoping to fuel its expansion with a $150 million funding round that would value the startup at $1 billion.
Backed by Temasek Holdings and SoftBank Ventures Asia and Rakuten Capital, ShopBack offers cashback and other rewards for brands and retailers that include Lululemon, Dyson and Foodpanda.
ShopBack’s app provides cash back in numerous categories, such as travel, general merchandise, food delivery, groceries, fashion, health and beauty, as well as entertainment, dining and in-store sales. The platform operates in 10 markets across Southeast Asia.
https://www.pymnts.com/news/...ce=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
28. April 2022
On March 10, 2022, Rakuten and Japanese supermarket chain Seiyu held a press conference to announce the full-scale rollout of a new program using an OMO (Online Merges with Offline) strategy centered on Rakuten Points. "The supermarket business," Mickey stated, "is approaching a major turning point - set to enter a phase of massive growth."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU_hrslwodU
Rakuten Bank, as reported in “Announcement Regarding Start of Preparation for Initial Public Offering of Rakuten Bank, Ltd.” dated September 30, 2021, is preparing for listing to enable various growth including independent financing and execution of financial strategies, etc.
Rakuten Bank, ahead of the proposed listing and considering its growth strategy, believes that bank accounts have started to become a primary point of contact for the settlement of payments for various purchasing activities of consumers, especially under the recent trend toward a cashless society. We believe it is indispensable for Rakuten Bank to collaborate with the cashless payment business, which will lead to customer acquisition, etc., in terms of being able to offer lifestyle accounts with a wide range of banking services and, by extension, further attract customers to the Rakuten ecosystem. On this occasion, we have decided to acquire shares of Rakuten Payment, which has one of the best customer bases in Japan. We believe that this acquisition of shares will lead to further expansion of Rakuten Bank's customer base and strengthening of its growth strategy, as well as contributing to the enhancement of the Rakuten Group's corporate value.
Regarding Rakuten Wallet, at the time of organizational restructuring in April 2019, from the perspective of incorporating crypto assets as part of the various payment methods provided by the Rakuten Group, it was put under the umbrella of Rakuten Payment. In May 2020 it became registered as a Type 1 Financial Instruments business based on the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. We worked to strengthen the margin trading business, and under the umbrella of Rakuten Securities, for the purpose of pursuing synergies based on business affinity with Rakuten Securities, which is also a Type 1 Financial Instruments company, governance and compliance systems were strengthened.
Regarding the listing of Rakuten Bank's shares and related acts including the above, approval from the relevant authorities may be a prerequisite, and depending on the results of the examination during the preparatory process, the Rakuten Group may be further reorganized, and we may come to the conclusion that Rakuten Bank should not go public. Therefore, the scheduled listing date has not yet been decided at this time, but we will disclose it as necessary based on the progress.
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2022/...2520ir%2520fintech
1 Nutzer wurde vom Verfasser von der Diskussion ausgeschlossen: Scansoft