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/
Pune, April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) Market Size Analysis:
“The RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) market was valued at USD 222.4 million in 2023 and is projected to surge to USD 15,124.9 million by 2032, expanding at a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 59.83% from 2024 to 2032.”
Major Players Analysis Listed in this Report are:
Nokia – Nokia Service Enablement Platform (SEP)
Ericsson – Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform
Huawei – Huawei Intelligent RAN Controller
Samsung – Samsung vRAN Intelligent Controller
NEC Corporation – NEC Open RAN RIC
Rakuten Symphony – Symworld RIC
Mavenir – Mavenir Open RAN Intelligent Controller
Parallel Wireless – Parallel Wireless Open RAN Controller
Juniper Networks – Juniper RIC Solution
Keysight Technologies – Keysight RIC Test Solution
VIAVI Solutions – VIAVI RIC Test Suite
Radisys – Radisys Connect RIC
Altiostar (Rakuten Group) – Altiostar Cloud-Native RIC
Capgemini Engineering – Capgemini Open RAN Intelligent Controller
Amdocs – Amdocs AI-Powered RIC
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/...earch-by-2032.html
Japan has long been a pioneer in technological advancements, and its payments and ecommerce industries are no exception. With the rapid rise of cashless transactions, digital wallets, and online shopping, the country is experiencing a significant transformation in how people conduct business and make purchases. According to Mordor Intelligence, the payments market in Japan is projected to reach nearly USD 280 billion in 2025, and it is expected to grow to USD 1.07 trillion by 2030, at an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 31% during the forecast period.
Similarly, the Japanese ecommerce market, valued at around USD 380 billion in 2024, is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 7% between 2024 and 2027 per PCMI data, reaching approximately USD 465 billion by the end of the forecast period. This article delves into the key trends, growth drivers, challenges, and future opportunities in both sectors, highlighting how Japan’s digital economy is evolving.
https://paymentscmi.com/insights/...alysis-payments-ecommerce-trends/
Rakuten Group, Inc.: Japan’s largest ecommerce platform, offering a wide range of products and services, including financial technology solutions;
Amazon Japan: a significant competitor to Rakuten, offering fast delivery services and a vast product selection;
Yahoo! Shopping Japan: operated by SoftBank, leveraging its ecosystem to attract consumers;
Mercari, Inc.: a popular consumer-to-consumer (C2C ) marketplace where individuals can buy and sell second-hand goods;
DMM.com: specialising in digital content, including video streaming and online retail services.
https://paymentscmi.com/insights/...alysis-payments-ecommerce-trends/
The pair received permission from the US Federal Communications Commission to begin tests on the specifically-allocated Band 14 earlier this week, having already trialled push-to-talk and other relevant applications on AST SpaceMobile’s satellite infrastructure.
https://www.mobileworldlive.com/att/att-ast-advance-firstnet-d2d-aim/
By Catherine Sbeglia Nin
March 10, 2025
Is the telecommunications industry behind the AI curve? The industry says no, of course — but why?
Is the telecommunications industry behind the AI curve? During a session at last week’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that sought to answer this question, KT’s Chief Responsible AI Officer Soonmin Bae and Rakuten Symphony’s Chief Marketing Officer Geoff Hollingworth both said no, not at all. Of course they did, right? Telcos are not known for being leaders in the adoption of new tech, but the speakers provided the following reasons as to why AI might be different.
https://www.rcrwireless.com/20250310/fundamentals/telco-ai
March 11, 2025
New Zealand operator 2degrees sealed a deal with AST SpaceMobile to deliver broadband data service directly to smartphones using satellites in 2026, an agreement struck nearly two years after it forged a connectivity contract with Lynk Global.
https://www.mobileworldlive.com/ast-spacemobile/...satellite-line-up/
Eben Albertyn, a top executive at EchoStar, hinted at Boost Mobile's interest in leveraging its open RAN investments in the development of AI RAN technology.
Mike Dano, Editorial Director, 5G & Mobile Strategies
April 17, 2025
Eben Albertyn, EVP and CTO of EchoStar and its Boost Mobile 5G network, said the operator's open radio access network (RAN) design will make it easier for Boost to embrace AI RAN technology.
"The ... thing that's important to remember about open RAN is that open RAN and what people are calling AI RAN are not competitive to each other. They're orthogonal to each other," Albertyn said during a keynote session at the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) event in Denver Wednesday.
"And because of how open RAN works and how it's been put together, it is far easier to introduce AI RAN components into open RAN than it is any other technology," Albertyn said.
https://www.lightreading.com/open-ran/...an-integration-with-open-ran
April 17, 2025
Shailesh Gupta, Rakuten Mobile, and Andrew De La Torre, Oracle Communications, discuss 5G expansion, cloud-native strategy, network automation, and policy and charging innovation at MWC 2025.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziaJYAg4qo0
April 22, 2025
In March 2025, "Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO 2025 A/W," of which Rakuten Group is the title sponsor, was held. This year, Rakuten supported the "Paul Smith" runway show through "by R," a Rakuten project aimed at empowering the Japanese fashion scene. Enjoy valuable footage of the glamorous show, as well as rehearsals in London and Tokyo with designer Paul Smith, and behind-the-scenes footage from the day of the show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRkkw4h2h30&t=5s
From carbon neutrality to Science-Based Targets: Rakuten sets its sights on Scope 3 emissions for 2032
1 day ago
A strong position to effect change
Rakuten’s 2032 climate goals see it step outside of its corporate walls to engage external partners and potentially inspire change from Rakuten’s many customers.
“The Rakuten Group operates about 70 services, with over 2 billion users as of 2025,” Ito says. “As a company with such a massive ecosystem, we want to make it easier for people to make sustainable choices – whether that’s through our business practices or the services we develop.”
With a strong userbase and extensive network of business partners, Rakuten is uniquely positioned to make its mark on the fight against climate change. The journey may only just be beginning, but Ito and team are committed to leveraging technology, engaging Rakuten’s partners, and inspiring Rakuten’s customers to make a real difference.
https://rakuten.today/blog/...ghts-on-scope-3-emissions-for-2032.html
April 23, 2025
If you’ve been putting off trying Rakuten, the time to jump in is now. Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) is offering an enhanced sign-up bonus of USD 40 or 4,000 Membership Rewards points for new members who make a qualifying purchase through the platform.
What is Rakuten?
Rakuten is a cashback shopping portal that partners with thousands of online retailers — including Apple, Macy’s, Nike, and even travel booking platforms like Booking.com and Expedia — to offer you a percentage of your spend back in the form of cashback. But here’s the kicker: if you opt in to earn American Express Membership Rewards instead of cashback, you can supercharge your loyalty strategy (only for American members).
https://livefromalounge.com/...ffering-40-signup-bonus-its-best-ever/
April 24, 2025
Rakuten Group held the first-ever "Rakuten Ad & Marketing Day 2025", a B2B event focusing on advertising and marketing strategies leveraging AI and data. Among the highlights, Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Store shared how advertisements utilizing Rakuten's AI and data led to a significant increase in store visits and purchases at their renovated store. AI products and strategies developed by the advertising business were also featured.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlwJzjmPLn8
April 18, 2025
Rakuten GORA launched a new AI golf swing analysis tool on the Rakuten Golf Score Management App. This tool was developed in cooperation with computer vision experts from Rakuten Institute of Technology (RIT), Keio University's Aoki Media Sensing Lab, and Rakuten India. It allows users to upload a video of their golf swing, which is then analyzed in nine phases from address to finish. In just a few minutes, the multiple AI models will work together to return a thorough analysis of 43 checkpoints and a provide comprehensive score, like a golf instructor that is available anytime, anywhere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaVIHZvVViw
April 18, 2025
Rakuten GORA launched a new AI golf swing analysis tool on the Rakuten Golf Score Management App. This tool was developed in cooperation with computer vision experts from Rakuten Institute of Technology (RIT), Keio University's Aoki Media Sensing Lab, and Rakuten India. It allows users to upload a video of their golf swing, which is then analyzed in nine phases from address to finish. In just a few minutes, the multiple AI models will work together to return a thorough analysis of 43 checkpoints and a provide comprehensive score, like a golf instructor that is available anytime, anywhere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaVIHZvVViw
20 hours ago
https://rakuten.today/blog/...mpowering-rakuten-ichiba-merchants.html
By Mark Holmes April 24, 2025
Japanese mobile network operator Rakuten Mobile and AST SpaceMobile completed what they claim is the first-ever broadband video call between unmodified smartphones in Japan using a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite. This milestone comes ahead of Rakuten’s plans to launch the Saikyo Satellite Service powered by AST SpaceMobile next year. Rakuten Mobile announced the milestone, April 23.
Rakuten Mobile aims to expand connectivity across Japan – including mountainous regions, remote islands and in emergency situations. As part of the strategic partnership launched over five years ago, Rakuten Group and AST SpaceMobile aim to provide satellite-to-mobile broadband services (voice calls, video calls and more) in Japan starting in the fourth quarter of 2026.
https://www.satellitetoday.com/connectivity/2025/...tellite-in-japan/
Samsung made history in Japan, even though its name wasn't mentioned.
It's a historic week for Rakuten Mobile and, in a way, for Samsung's mobile division. On April 22, Rakuten, Japan's newest mobile network, made the country's first-ever broadband video call through a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connection. Incidentally, the satellite video call appears to have been made using unmodified Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
Although this is not a world-first satellite video call, it is a huge milestone for the Japanese mobile industry, the carrier, and the technology providers involved. The video call brings the Rakuten Saikyo Satellite Service one giant step closer to launch.
https://www.sammobile.com/news/...ly%2520300%2520kilometers%2520away.
April 23, 2025
On April, 2025, Rakuten Mobile and AST SpaceMobile announced the successful completion of the first-ever broadband video call in Japan* between everyday unmodified smartphones using a low-Earth-orbit satellite. The video call marks a major step toward the realization of satellite-to-mobile connectivity across Japan – including mountainous regions, remote islands and in emergency situations such as areas affected by natural disasters. *Communication between mobile broadband networks transmitted from space and commercially available smartphones (AST SpaceMobile survey as of April 23, 2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttT8orA1ndc
The Global Open RAN Market size is expected to be worth around USD 79,379 Million By 2034, from USD 2,957 Million in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 38.9% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. North America dominated a 34.6% market share in 2024 and held USD 1,024.3 Million in revenue from the Open Ran Market.
The market for Open RAN is experiencing significant growth, propelled by its promise to reduce costs and increase system flexibility. With the backing of major telecom operators and the active involvement of a broad array of equipment vendors, the Open RAN ecosystem is rapidly expanding. This market evolution is driven by both technological advancements and strategic partnerships among key industry players, making Open RAN a viable alternative to traditional RAN solutions.
https://market.us/report/open-ran-market/
Apr. 25, 2025
Summary
My Buy rating for Rakuten Group is unchanged, as I think that investors' major concerns about the stock have eased.
RKUNF's credit health is expected to improve in the future; the company has targeted reducing its net leverage metric by half within the next 2 years.
RKUNY's wireless unit is anticipated to become EBITDA-positive in FY25 on the back of subscriber growth and ARPU expansion.
I am The Value Pendulum. I have over a decade of buy-side and sell-side experience in Asian equity markets. I lead the investing group Asia Value & Moat Stocks.
I remain bullish on Rakuten Group, Inc.
The company's loss-making MNO ("Mobile Network Operations") segment and its balance sheet weakness have become less of a concern. This is why my rating is still a Buy.
https://seekingalpha.com/article/...-risks-and-mobile-division-losses
March 18, 2025
Viber Dating is a new feature launched by Rakuten Viber around Valentine's Day 2025, designed to foster genuine connections while prioritizing user privacy and security. By ensuring profiles are verified and private, Viber Dating addresses common concerns about online dating, such as fake profiles and scams, offering a safe and comfortable platform for users to connect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj7xdKAuJG8&t=17s
Global cloud communications platform Infobip has become a Platinum Partner of Rakuten Viber. As a Platinum Partner, Infobip will be able to offer its customers early access to new products and features as well as getting priority access to a knowledge center. Infobip’s elevation to Platinum Partner marks another achievement in its ongoing mission to enhance digital communication strategies for businesses worldwide.
Over eight years, Rakuten Viber has integrated with Infobip’s platform, becoming a key OTT channel. The collaboration has enabled businesses to use Viber for direct, rich media interactions with customers, enhancing user experiences, and helping customers in their digital transformation journey.
One recent example is Metrobank, the second-largest private universal bank in the Philippines.
Metrobank partnered with Infobip to integrate Viber rich business messaging into its customer communication strategy, enhancing its operations with a trusted and secure digital platform. Utilizing Infobip’s plug-and-play solution, Metrobank seamlessly incorporated Viber business messages into its existing processes with minimal effort. In no time, the bank began delivering personalized, rich content messages, including images and videos, to millions of consenting customers. This strategic move not only created a unique customer experience but also resulted in up to 50% cost savings compared to traditional SMS messaging, as Metrobank effectively communicated its latest offerings through Viber’s rich media capabilities.
Ramon Martin Rodriguez, Performance Marketing Head at Metrobank, said: “Infobip provided a solution that enabled us to quickly start benefitting from using Viber for Business for sending marketing messages, using both a portal and an integration with our CRM system. The integration was extremely easy to set up with no disruption to our businesses processes, and no requirement to involve technical resources from other departments. We have been very satisfied with the entire process.”
https://bi-journal.com/platinum-partner-of-rakuten-viber/
April 02, 2025
As enterprises increasingly look for ways to improve efficiency and innovation, network modernization has become a key driver of transformation. Modernizing networks is not just about upgrading to the next generation of technology but about unlocking new opportunities through automation, microservices-based architectures and AI-driven decision-making. Industry leaders recently came together to discuss the role of network modernization in private enterprises, exploring how it enables greater operational efficiency and supports advanced use cases, in a panel moderated by Abe Nejad, Publisher of Network Media Group (NMG).
Speakers: Faisal Ghazaleh - Global Head of Solution Engineering-OSS, Rakuten Symphony
Ron Westfall - Research Director, Futurum Group
Rory O’ Toole - Vice President - Global Telco Sales, Druid Software
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPtFAc3ABu8
RGI's MNO segment is still in the red, and this hurts the stock in two ways. One is that its leverage stays elevated due to a high level of borrowings and operating losses. Another factor is this division's drag on the company's group-level profit.
The wireless business' EBITDA loss shrunk from -JPY 0.15 trillion for FY23 to -¥54B in FY24. My prediction is that this unit will realize EBITDA-breakeven this year in line with management guidance.
The future profitability of RKUNY's mobile operations is heavily influenced by its topline due to fixed-cost leverage effects.
Given the capital-intensive nature of telco services, RKUNF needs to spread its non-variable expenses over a bigger revenue base. I'm optimistic that it can acquire new wireless users and earn more money from them on a per-user basis.
https://seekingalpha.com/article/...-risks-and-mobile-division-losses