Rakuten Mobile Launches 700MHz Service, Expands 5G Network

Tokyo, Japan—Rakuten Mobile has initiated commercial operations on the 700MHz "Platinum Band" frequency.

The mobile carrier drew upon its expertise in building a fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network with Open RAN to facilitate the expeditious deployment of the new service. 

Rakuten Mobile has indicated that it plans to prioritize expanding coverage in the remaining gaps by utilizing its base stations.

The company aims to expand its 5G (Sub6) coverage area in the Kanto region up to 1.6 times by the end of 2024 compared to the levels observed in January. 

This expansion will be achieved through relaxed interference coordination conditions with satellite communications in shared bands.

Moreover, Rakuten Mobile has announced plans for nationwide software upgrades to its 5G (Sub6) base stations, which are expected to enhance communication speed and stability significantly. 

The company will optimize base station parameters to facilitate seamless transitions between 4G and 5G networks.

In commemoration of the launch, Rakuten Mobile is implementing a promotional campaign offering loyalty points to selected customers who engage with the company's social media account.