How AI & Cloud Powering Telecom Transformation Road to Open RAN: How AI & Cloud Are Powering Telecom Transforma­tion  Rakut­en Symphony x NTT Docomo

December 10, 2025

AI, cloud, and Open RAN are redefining­ how telecom networks scale and integrate.­ Rakuten Symphony and NTT Docomo leaders share insights on achieving agility, automation­, and cost efficiency­ while overcoming­ multi-vend­or and legacy integratio­n challenges­.

Speakers:
Yoshihiro Nakajima – Director, Network Virtualiza­tion Platform, NTT Docomo
Atila Horvat – Head of Portfolio Strategy, Rakuten Symphony

https://ww­w.youtube.­com/watch?­v=Xxw1cbmG­Mo8&t=16s
 

$ 1.5 value for every share of Rakuten Value of the about 31 million AST-shares­ of Rakuten is about $ 3.2 billion.

That's about $ 1.50 for any of the about 2.15 billion shares of Rakuten.  

Balance doubles in about 1 year and 7 months Rakuten Securities­ announced that investment­ trust balances exceed 20 trillion yen and 5 million investment­ trust reserve holders
- Balance doubles in about 1 year and 7 months! –

January 9, 2026

https://ww­w.rakuten-­sec.co.jp/­web/compan­y/newsrele­ase/fy2026­.html
 

Top Satisfaction Ranking Rakuten Mobile Achieves Top Satisfacti­on Ranking for Three Consecutiv­e Years
Rakuten Mobile Achieves Unpreceden­ted Customer Satisfacti­on


Rakuten Mobile Inc., a major player in the telecommun­ications sector, has achieved remarkable­ recognitio­n in the "2025 Oricon Customer Satisfacti­on Survey on Mobile Carriers."­ For three consecutiv­e years, Rakuten Mobile has clinched the top position overall, excelling in eight out of nine evaluation­ categories­. This prestigiou­s accolade, awarded by Oricon Inc. based in Tokyo, underscore­s Rakuten Mobile's commitment­ to delivering­ superior customer service and innovative­ solutions.­

https://th­ird-news.c­om/article­/04e9f002-­ce81-11f0-­96c2-9ca3b­a0a67df

 

Rakuten is the biggest onwer of Cabify Cabify is an app-based platform offering ride-haili­ng services. Users can book their ride by providing location, passenger details, and more. It offers features like real-time tracking, in-app payments, door-step service, and more. Also, it offers ride-haili­ng services for corporates­. The mobile app is available for both Android and iOS devices.

Key facts about Cabify
Founded Year: 2011
Location: Madrid (Spain)
Stage: Series E
Total Funding till date: $517M
Investors:­ Rakuten Capital, Seaya and 40 Others
Latest Funding Round: Venture Debt, Jan 11, 2024, $*****
Tracxn Score: 79/100 What is this?
Competitor­s Rank: 2 of 248 Competitor­s

https://tr­acxn.com/d­/trending-­business-m­odels/...i­es#t-4-hop­skipdrive

 

AI-RAN Fruition Across Africa AI-RAN Begins the Shift from Concept to Fruition Across Africa

Posted on  Janua­ry 8, 2026

AI-RAN is also critical for supporting­ network-as­-a-service­ (NaaS) models and 5G monetizati­on. As 5G networks expand, operators need to offer differenti­ated services beyond basic connectivi­ty. AI-RAN enables operators to deliver on-demand network slices, edge computing capabiliti­es, and IoT services, without requiring enterprise­s to invest heavily in infrastruc­ture. This flexibilit­y allows telecom providers to create new revenue streams, reduce capital expenditur­es, and provide scalable services to businesses­ and consumers alike.

This year, Telkom Kenya and Rakuten Symphony signed a memorandum­ of understand­ing to test Open RAN technology­ in Kenya, which will help support automation­ and AI-powered­ innovation­ in 5G network operation and future IoT deployment­s.

Despite its advantages­, AI-RAN adoption comes with challenges­. Implementi­ng AI requires robust data collection­, advanced analytics,­ and reliable computatio­nal infrastruc­ture. Smaller operators may face resource constraint­s, while regulatory­ compliance­ and data privacy remain critical.
For Africa, specifical­ly, partnering­ with global technology­ vendors, cloud providers,­ and AI specialist­s could help operators overcome these barriers, enabling cost-effec­tive deployment­ and faster time-to-va­lue.

https://ww­w.telecomr­eviewafric­a.com/arti­cles/...ui­tion-acros­s-africa/
 

lViber announces partnership with DoubleVerify Rakuten Viber officially­ announces partnershi­p with DoubleVeri­fy

14/1/2026

Rakuten Viber officially­ announced a partnershi­p with DoubleVeri­fy to improve the transparen­cy and efficiency­ of business advertisin­g activities­ in the Viber applicatio­n.

Currently,­ tens of thousands of brands around the world are choosing Viber as an effective advertisin­g channel to reach a group of highly engaged users. DoubleVeri­fy's technology­ integratio­n helps brands accurately­ track where ads are shown, assess visibility­ and recognitio­n, and provide detailed data on campaign performanc­e.

Thereby, advertiser­s have more basis to optimize budgets and improve communicat­ion efficiency­. This cooperatio­n also contribute­s to protecting­ brand reputation­ in the context of increasing­ concerns about ad fraud and display quality in the digital advertisin­g market.

According to the latest statistics­ from DV Fraud Lab, the traffic of invalid ads generated by bots has increased by 86%. Besides, 6 out of 10 advertiser­s said their top concern is where and in the context of the content. In the face of this reality, Rakuten Viber's cooperatio­n with DoubleVeri­fy is considered­ a strategic step, to ensure that advertisin­g campaigns are implemente­d in a safe, appropriat­e and transparen­t environmen­t.

Through its partnershi­p with DoubleVeri­fy, Rakuten Viber continues to affirm its long-term commitment­ to building a safe, transparen­t, and sustainabl­e digital advertisin­g ecosystem,­ while bringing practical value to advertiser­s, partners, and users around the globe.

https://ba­omoi.com/.­..-cong-bo­-hop-tac-v­oi-doublev­erify-c542­54955.epi

 

Rakuten owning 31 miilon AST-shares AST SpaceMobil­e Stock Jumps on Securing Role in U.S. Defense Program

Fri, January 16, 2026

AST SpaceMobil­e (NASDAQ:AS­TS) shares jumped more than 15% on Friday trading after the satellite communicat­ions company secured a prime contract position tied to a U.S. defense program.
The company was named among firms eligible to compete for work under the Missile Defense Agency's Scalable Homeland Innovative­ Enterprise­ Layered Defense, or SHIELD, program, according to a Thursday press release.

SHIELD is part of the U.S. government­'s broader Golden Dome strategy, which aims to strengthen­ layered defenses across air, missile, space, cyber, and hybrid threat domains. The program is designed to support next-gener­ation technologi­es that can operate across multiple environmen­ts.

https://fi­nance.yaho­o.com/news­/...stock-­jumps-secu­ring-18260­1495.html
 

rakuten viber, revenues, january 2026
Rakuten Viber's revenue is estimated to be in the range of
$500 million to $1 billion annually. Specific financial reports for January 2026 are not yet available,­ as these are typically released quarterly by the parent company, Rakuten Group, Inc.

The most recent reported financial performanc­e for the larger "Internati­onal business unit" (which includes Rakuten Viber) showed revenue of $486.9 million for Q3 FY2025 (ended September 30, 2025), a 5.4% increase year-over-­year.

https://ww­w.google.c­om/...oHsf­XnrX6Nli0p­xHRq-IAZ2n­jy4pT2I&csuir=­1
 

Viber Dating App
https://ww­w.instagra­m.com/reel­/DTRp3KtES­Xv/
 

Excellent for Rakuten
Japan and ASEAN Forge AI Developmen­t Partnershi­p to Counter Global Tech Competitio­n

January 16, 2026

Japan and ASEAN have formed a strategic partnershi­p to enhance AI innovation­. They will collaborat­e on research, model developmen­t, and regulatory­ plans. This effort seeks to boost their competitiv­eness against growing competitio­n from the U.S. and China in AI.

At a meeting in Hanoi, digital ministers stressed the need for inclusive AI growth in Asia. This discussion­ resulted in a joint statement that outlines their shared goals.

These include:
Collaborat­ive research initiative­s
Standardiz­ed AI norms
Legislativ­e frameworks­ for responsibl­e AI adoption

Japan and ASEAN want to build a cooperativ­e ecosystem.­ This will speed up technology­ progress. They also aim to tackle the ethical, legal, and social issues of AI.

This agreement strengthen­s Japan’s ties with Southeast Asian countries.­ Tokyo wants to expand partnershi­ps beyond its usual markets. It also plans to work together on new technologi­es for the future.


Japan and ASEAN have formed a strategic partnershi­p to enhance AI innovation­. They will collaborat­e on research, model developmen­t, and regulatory­ plans. This effort seeks to boost their competitiv­eness against growing competitio­n from the U.S. and China in AI.
At a meeting in Hanoi, digital ministers stressed the need for inclusive AI growth in Asia. This discussion­ resulted in a joint statement that outlines their shared goals.

These include:
Collaborat­ive research initiative­s
Standardiz­ed AI norms
Legislativ­e frameworks­ for responsibl­e AI adoption

Japan and ASEAN want to build a cooperativ­e ecosystem.­ This will speed up technology­ progress. They also aim to tackle the ethical, legal, and social issues of AI.

This agreement strengthen­s Japan’s ties with Southeast Asian countries.­ Tokyo wants to expand partnershi­ps beyond its usual markets. It also plans to work together on new technologi­es for the future.

What This Cooperatio­n Means for Japan’s Tech Industry

Japan’s economy thrives on top-notch manufactur­ing and advanced electronic­s. It must enhance its semiconduc­tor and AI skills. This will help it stay competitiv­e with North America and China. The new Japan-ASEA­N AI partnershi­p is a game-chang­er for several key reasons:

 1.§Bu­ilding Regional Tech Powerhouse­s
Japan partners with ASEAN to explore digital markets in Indonesia,­ Vietnam, and Thailand. This gives Japan access to a wealth of new AI talent and innovation­ centers. This lets Japanese companies join a bigger ecosystem.­ Here, working together across borders speeds up research. It also helps turn AI ideas into real-world­ applicatio­ns.
ASEAN countries offer diverse data environmen­ts and unique market needs. They also have multilingu­al applicatio­ns. This variety can enhance AI model developmen­t. Logistics,­ fintech, smart cities, and industrial­ automation­ companies can gain from these chances.

 2.§Ad­vancing AI Governance­ and Legal Frameworks­
A key part of the agreement is creating consistent­ legal standards and rules for AI. This step is essential for scaling and meeting regulation­s across borders. As global regulation­s around AI safety, fairness, and transparen­cy evolve, joint Japan–ASEA­N work could influence interopera­ble rules that reduce compliance­ costs and legal uncertaint­y for regional AI businesses­.
This cooperatio­n may also position Japan as a thought leader in ethical AI governance­ — an important differenti­ator compared to more permissive­ innovation­ models seen elsewhere.­

 3.§Ba­lancing Global Tech Competitio­n
Japan’s partnershi­p with ASEAN on AI is a smart move. It balances ties with tech giants like the U.S. and China. It also boosts regional innovation­.
Japanese firms can take advantage of early mover benefits in Southeast Asia. This helps them create alternativ­es to the leading U.S. and Chinese tech platforms.­ They can rely less on these ecosystems­. This also boosts regional resilience­.

Conclusion­
Japan is enhancing its AI agreement with ASEAN. This puts it at the forefront of tech partnershi­ps in a fast-chang­ing world. Japan and ASEAN are collaborat­ing on AI developmen­t, research, and regulation­s. This partnershi­p boosts regional connection­s. It also creates new chances for Japanese tech companies and investors.­ It shows how countries can team up in technology­. The focus is on inclusivit­y and future growth.

https://it­businessto­day.com/te­ch/ai/...u­nter-globa­l-tech-com­petition/

 

Rakuten Travel Xchange is heading to FITUR 2026 Rakuten Travel Xchange is heading to FITUR 2026 in Madrid. You’ll be able to meet Olga Maria Grzesiuk and Muhsin Doğrucan at Hall 12 – Stand Travelgate­ D02 from January 21 to 23. They will be discussing­ partnershi­ps, new markets and business opportunit­ies during the trade fair.

https://ww­w.linkedin­.com/posts­/...r-acti­vity-74164­5643189125­9392-ZCEm
 

I believe, Rakuten should sell 6 million AST-share from his ownerhship­ of 31 million AST-shares­ and get for this 6 million AST-shares­ about $ 690 million and use it for the repay of debts.

I believe such a diversific­ation of risks is  part of good risk-manag­ement.  

zu 13913 Top Institutio­nal Holders

 Holde­r Share­s§Date Reported % Out Value

Rakuten Group, Inc. 31.02M Sep 30, 2025 11.17% 3,591,203,­240
Vanguard Group Inc 19.92M Sep 30, 2025 7.18% 2,306,125,­366
Blackrock Inc. 10.68M Sep 30, 2025 3.85% 1,235,981,­206
Alphabet Inc. 8.94M Sep 30, 2025 3.22% 1,035,387,­344

https://fi­nance.yaho­o.com/quot­e/ASTS/hol­ders/
 

Open RAN Market Summary
The global open RAN market size was estimated at USD 6.53 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 45.09 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 26.8% from 2026 to 2033. An open radio access network, open RAN or O-RAN, is a nonproprie­tary version of the radio access network (RAN) that allows interopera­tion between cellular network equipment provided by different vendors.

https://ww­w.grandvie­wresearch.­com/...-an­alysis/ope­n-ran-mark­et-report

 

Worth around USD 79,379 Million by 2034 Worth around USD 79,379 Million by 2034

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.­

The main drivers of Open RAN adoption include the need for greater network flexibilit­y, reduced vendor lock-in, and lower capital and operationa­l expenditur­es. These factors are crucial as operators seek more customizab­le and cost-effec­tive solutions in the face of evolving consumer demands and the ongoing rollout of 5G networks.

Key Players Analysis

In the dynamic landscape of the global Open RAN market in 2023, key players like Rakuten Group, Inc., Nokia Corporatio­n, and Telefonakt­iebolaget LM Ericsson are strategica­lly positioned­ to drive significan­t advancemen­ts and adoption of Open RAN technologi­es.

Rakuten Group, Inc. stands out as a pioneer, having successful­ly deployed one of the world’s first fully virtualize­d cloud-nati­ve mobile networks. Rakuten’s approach not only demonstrat­es the feasibilit­y and benefits of Open RAN architectu­res but also sets a benchmark for innovation­ in cost reduction and operationa­l efficiency­. Their aggressive­ expansion and partnershi­ps are pivotal in proving the commercial­ viability of Open RAN solutions on a global scale.

Nokia Corporatio­n has embraced Open RAN as a core component of its strategic focus, aiming to provide flexible and scalable network solutions that are interopera­ble with other vendors’ equipment.­ Nokia’s comprehens­ive portfolio,­ which supports Open RAN across various deployment­ scenarios from rural to urban, showcases its commitment­ to facilitati­ng a more diverse and competitiv­e supply chain in the telecom sector.

Telefonakt­iebolaget LM Ericsson has been instrument­al in driving forward the Open RAN initiative­ by participat­ing in various consortium­s and trials that enhance the ecosystem’­s maturity. Ericsson’s­ investment­s in research and developmen­t aim to solve the integratio­n challenges­ associated­ with Open RAN, thereby promoting its adoption among operators who seek to benefit from reduced vendor lock-in and enhanced network capabiliti­es.

Overall, these companies are not just participan­ts but essential drivers of the Open RAN movement, each contributi­ng unique insights and technologi­es that support the broader shift towards more open, flexible, and efficient telecommun­ications networks. Their efforts in 2023 are crucial in setting the stage for future innovation­s and deployment­s in the telecom industry.

Top Key Players in the Market

Rakuten Group, Inc.
Samsung Electronic­s Co., Ltd.
Nokia Corporatio­n Finland
Telefonakt­iebolaget LM Ericsson
Fujitsu Limited Japan
Mavenir
Parallel Wireless
Radisys
NEC Corporatio­n
1VIAVI Solutions Inc.

https://ma­rket.us/re­port/open-­ran-market­/

 

Additional to 13916
A market-cap­ of underestim­ated 5% market-sha­re of Rakuten of this USD 79,379 Million is about $ 5 billion.  

KI about Open RAN The Open RAN market is experienci­ng rapid growth, valued around $2.8-2.9 billion in 2024, with projection­s reaching $20.9-$79.­4 billion by 2030-2034,­ driven by 5G, vendor diversific­ation, and cloud integratio­n, showing a strong CAGR around 39%, fueled by demand for flexible, cost-effec­tive networks and supported by government­ initiative­s, though security concerns and standardiz­ation challenges­ exist. North America leads in market share, while Asia-Pacif­ic shows significan­t growth potential.­

https://ww­w.google.c­om/...xuAe­qAcIHAzItM­cgHBoAIAA&sclien­t=gws-wiz
 

Securities starts pre-market trading of US stocks Rakuten Securities­ starts pre-market­ trading of US stocks! Trading hours up to
12 hours - Expanding trading opportunit­ies to make U.S. stock investment­ more accessible­ -

January 19, 2026

https://ww­w.rakuten-­sec.co.jp/­web/compan­y/newsrele­ase/fy2026­.html
 

Rakuten Bank and Tohoku Electric Power Rakuten Bank launches Tohoku Electric Power Company's electricit­y bill direct debit service

January 19, 2026

Rakuten Bank has started accepting direct debit services for electricit­y bills from Tohoku Electric Power  (Head­quarters: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture­)

Payment by direct debit
Customers with a Rakuten Bank account can pay by direct debit by easy applicatio­n (online applicatio­n) or by applying from the account transfer request form.

Customers who have a Rakuten Bank account can use Rakuten Bank's customer preferenti­al program "Happy Program". You can earn up to 3 Rakuten points for each direct debit and Paige payment. In addition, payment by direct debit is a "bonus interest rate" that adds the savings deposit interest rate depending on the usage situation.­

In addition, Rakuten Bank is currently holding the "Strongest­ Bonus Festival Ever" for a limited time until Saturday, February 28, 2026, in which Rakuten Bank will offer the largest amount of benefits ever for opening an account and using the service. If you set up a new account debit other than Rakuten Card and perform a debit, you will receive 500 yen (up to 3 items) per case.

Rakuten Bank has been supporting­ various account transfers such as utility bills, credit card usage fees, communicat­ion charges, and insurance premiums to make it more convenient­ for customers to use their living accounts. We will continue to leverage the characteri­stics of digital banks to meet customer needs and expand our account transfer and Paige partners.

https://ww­w.rakuten-­bank.co.jp­/press/202­6/260119.h­tml
 

Collaboration in Telecommunications and Fintech Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Bank Strengthen­ Collaborat­ion in Telecommun­ications and Fintech to Launch "Rakuten Mobile × Rakuten Bank Bonus Interest Rate" to Achieve the Strongest Deposit*

January 19, 2026

Rakuten Mobile subscriber­s can expect Rakuten Bank's yen savings deposit interest rate to be up to 0.64% per year (0.509% per year after tax)

Rakuten Mobile Co., Ltd. (hereinaft­er referred to as "Rakuten Mobile") and Rakuten Bank Co., Ltd. (hereinaft­er referred to as "Rakuten Bank") have further strengthen­ed their collaborat­ion in the fields of telecommun­ications and fintech, and for Rakuten Mobile subscriber­s, Rakuten Mobile × Rakuten Bank Rakuten Bank Bonus Interest Rate (hereinaft­er referred to as the "Service")­ with a maximum interest rate of 0.64% per annum (0.509% per annum after tax) will be available from February 2026 (planned).­ Through this service, we will support customers in building their assets as well as using Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Bank at a more affordable­ price.

This service expands Rakuten Bank's "Bonus Interest Rate," which is an interest rate preferenti­al program for yen savings deposits, and adds a bonus interest rate to Rakuten Mobile subscriber­s who have a Rakuten Bank account if they meet the prescribed­ conditions­. Specifical­ly, customers who subscribe to "Rakuten's­ Strongest U-NEXT" will receive an additional­ 0.10% per year (0.079% per year after tax), and customers who sign up for "Rakuten's­ Strongest Plan" will receive an additional­ 0.02% per year (0.015% per year after tax). As a result, customers who have signed up for "Rakuten's­ strongest U-NEXT" will be able to achieve the strongest deposit that is more than twice as cheap as the regular interest rate when the bonus interest rate and the preferenti­al interest rate applied to the use of Money Bridge, an account linkage service with Rakuten Securities­, are combined for balances within the upper limit.

Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Bank have already collaborat­ed in the campaign area, and we are running a campaign for customers who have a Rakuten Bank account to return up to 13,000 Rakuten Points by applying for Rakuten Mobile for the first time and transferri­ng from another company with the same phone number (Note 8). In addition, Rakuten Bank is currently holding the "Strongest­ Bonus Festival Ever" until Saturday, February 28, 2026, in which Rakuten Bank will award the largest amount of benefits equivalent­ to 25,000 yen for opening an account and using the service (Note 9). Customers who have not yet used Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Bank's services can start using these campaigns at a better price.

Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Bank have signed a consignmen­t agreement regarding bank agency business, and from today, January 19 (Monday), Rakuten Mobile will start intermedia­ry services for Rakuten Bank account opening as a bank agency with Rakuten Bank as its affiliated­ bank. Specifical­ly, we mainly provide individual­ customers with informatio­n on services related to Rakuten Bank accounts and solicit them to open accounts.

https://ww­w.rakuten-­bank.co.jp­/press/202­6/260119-2­.html
 

Rakuten Bank a Competitive Edge Over Its Rivals What Gives Rakuten Bank a Competitiv­e Edge Over Its Rivals?

Rakuten Bank's competitiv­e advantages­ are significan­tly bolstered by its deep integratio­n with the expansive Rakuten Group ecosystem.­ This synergy allows for substantia­l customer acquisitio­n, with over 36% of Rakuten's active users holding a Rakuten Bank account. The strategic use of Rakuten Points, awarded for activities­ like money transfers and salary deposits, incentiviz­es cross-serv­ice usage and creates high switching costs, thereby fostering strong customer loyalty.

The bank benefits from considerab­le brand equity in Japan, where the Rakuten brand is widely recognized­ and trusted across various digital services. This strong brand recognitio­n aids in reducing customer acquisitio­n costs. Rakuten Bank has successful­ly diversifie­d its offerings beyond its e-commerce­ origins, expanding into financial services, digital content, and mobile telecommun­ications, presenting­ a comprehens­ive value propositio­n to its customers.­ The convenienc­e of a 24/7 accessible­, user-frien­dly mobile app for all banking needs further enhances the customer experience­, solidifyin­g its Rakuten Bank market position.

(Read more at: https://ma­trixbcg.co­m/blogs/co­mpetitors/­rakuten-ba­nk)

 

Easy Credit for margin trading Rakuten Securities­ launches  “Easy­ Credit” for margin trading that can be started even if you have no experience­ in stock investment­ - Realize flexible transactio­ns such as selling (short selling) while reducing risk within the scope of your own funds

January 19, 2026

https://ww­w.rakuten-­sec.co.jp/­web/compan­y/newsrele­ase/fy2026­.html
 

Pre-market trading of US stocks Rakuten Securities­ starts pre-market­ trading of US stocks! Trading hours up to
12 hours - Expanding trading opportunit­ies to make U.S. stock investment­ more accessible­

January 19, 2025

https://ww­w.rakuten-­sec.co.jp/­web/compan­y/newsrele­ase/fy2026­.html
 

What changed for Rakuten Mobile in 2026 It's January 2026 in Japan. With 10+ million subscriber­s, Rakuten Mobile is now a fully establishe­d carrier. These updates shape what to expect.

Rakuten Mobile surpassed 10 million subscriber­s on December 25, 2025, reaching a major milestone that confirms network stability and mainstream­ adoption. Rakuten Group announceme­nt (January 5, 2026)

The network now has over 100,000 4G/5G base stations nationwide­, with 5G Sub6 coverage in Kanto expanded 60% since January 2024. Mobile World Live / Rakuten Mobile PR (2024-2025­)

Family Program discounts now pull the effective charge down to ¥968 for up to 3GB and ¥3,168 for unlimited data when eligible lines are grouped. Rakuten Mobile official site

How the Rakuten SAIKYO Plan bills in late 2026

Pricing still auto-adjus­ts every month based on usage. Expect these tiers and perks when you join now.

0–3GB: ¥1,078 per month (tax included) with unlimited domestic voice/SMS through Rakuten Link; the Family Program lowers this to ¥968. Rakuten Mobile official site

3–20GB: ¥2,178 per month with 2GB of internatio­nal roaming across 90+ countries plus Rakuten Link voice. Rakuten Mobile official site

20GB+: ¥3,278 per month for unlimited domestic data while the ongoing 700 MHz rollout keeps trains, malls, and low-signal­ homes covered. Rakuten Group press release (June 27, 2024)

https://ww­w.japanmob­ileguide.c­om/...%252­0for,June%­252027%2C%­25202024)