Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket

- und daher habe ich mir nach dem Einstieg bei Alibaba, die inzwischem mehr als 20% gut gemacht haben, auch einige Rakutens gekauft.

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/  

Rakuten’s photoimmunotherapy and Keytruda combo shows efficacy in HNSCC

US-based Rakuten Medical has announced positive interim data from the Phase Ib/II trial of its photoimmunotherapy, ASP-1929, in combination with Merck & Co (MSD)’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Following the positive results, the company now plans to start a global Phase III clinical trial evaluating the combination therapy of ASP-1929 and Keytruda as first-line therapy in recurrent HNSCC in the second half of this year. The study’s primary endpoint will be overall survival.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...munotherapy-keytruda-130644428.html
 

AST SpaceMobile Welcomes Chris Sambar, Head of Network, AT&T, to Board of Directors

JUN 24 2024 13:30 BST

MIDLAND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 24, 2024-- AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones designed for both commercial and government use, today announced the appointment of Chris Sambar to its Board of Directors, effective June 20.

https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/..._USPRX____20240624_BW944397-1

 

Rakuten's Taiwan Ecosystem Rallies for Rakuten Monkeys at Rakuten Super Game 2024
- Rakuten's businesses in Taiwan unite to deliver a comprehensive brand experience and support its pro baseball team

Taipei, June 25, 2024 - Rakuten Group, Inc. today announced the full program for the Rakuten Super Game set to take place on July 5, when the Rakuten Monkeys take on the Fubon Guardians at the Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium in Taiwan. This event is part of the Super Summer Series 2024, a series of title-sponsored professional sports matches featuring Vissel Kobe, Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and Rakuten Monkeys.

A renowned team in Taiwan's professional baseball league, the Rakuten Monkeys not only excel on the field but also play a central role in showcasing the Taiwan Rakuten Ecosystem. This includes Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Card, Rakuten International Bank, Rakuten Kobo, Rakuten Travel, Rakuten Insight and the Rakuten Japan Official Flagship Store. For the first time, Rakuten Medical will also participate in this year’s event.

Together, these entities will present a variety of brand activities at the stadium, offering fans a comprehensive experience and rallying support for the Rakuten Monkeys. Held under the banner of “A Better Future Together,” Rakuten is aiming to realize “A Greener Future” and “Sports for Everyone.”
Yoshinori Kawada, General Manager of the Rakuten Monkeys, commented, “Through the Rakuten Super Game, we hope fans will not only enjoy the exciting match but also experience the diverse services of the Rakuten Ecosystem, strengthening the bond between the team and our fans.”

About the Rakuten businesses participating in Rakuten Super Game

As the 2024 CPBL season enters its second half, the Monkeys uphold one of Rakuten’s guiding principles, “Always Improve, Always Advance.” Continuous efforts have been made to enhance the team's performance, complemented by recent stadium renovations to optimize services. The Rakuten Super Game will further these initiatives by integrating various ecosystem businesses, providing fans with a comprehensive brand experience that showcases its diverse offerings.

In celebration of the Rakuten Super Game, Rakuten’s business units will mobilize to bring a variety of booth activities and promotions. At the Rakuten Ichiba booth, visitors can sample delicious treats from special packs sponsored by Hi Tao Ke, Freshdays Shop and Want Want. Rakuten International Bank and Rakuten Card will hold exclusive lucky draw events, inviting fans to participate by presenting their Rakuten credit or debit cards to enter a lucky draw and win prizes on the spot. The Rakuten Kobo booth will showcase their latest eReaders with limited-time discount offers. Additionally, purchases with account registration will receive a NT$300 book voucher.

The Rakuten Japan Official Flagship Store will distribute samples of the popular Japanese skincare brand Attenir and offer limited-time discounts on Rakuten Monkeys umbrellas. Fans who purchase the umbrellas will receive photo opportunities with members of the Rakuten Girls, the official cheerleading squad of the Rakuten Monkeys. Following the Rakuten Japan Official Flagship Store account on Facebook or Instagram will offer participants a chance to win tickets to the Rakuten Super Baseball Game on August 1 at Tokyo Dome. This game will feature the Rakuten Eagles facing off against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, promising an exciting matchup in one of Japan's most iconic stadiums.

Rakuten Travel and Rakuten Insight have prepared special gifts for new members and social media followers to take home. Rakuten Medical will set up a head and neck cancer education Q&A booth, where participants can receive exclusive gifts by checking in and sharing on social media. Additionally, this year's “A Better Future Together” series of activities will offer exclusive trading cards featuring Rakuten Monkeys players and Rakuten Girls cheerleaders, as well as a “mystery gift” for participating in specific booth activities.

Expanding Collaborations and Enriching Fan Experiences

In addition to Rakuten businesses, this year’s event will also feature expanded external collaborations. One notable partnership features YouBike, which will run a special promotion from July 1 to September 30. Fans who ride YouBike for 15 or more days in Taoyuan City during this period will receive a chance to win tickets*2 to Rakuten Monkeys home games in the second half of the season.  
Kawaii Mama, a brand dedicated to providing family-friendly products and activities, will also participate in the Rakuten Super Game for the first time. They will offer a variety of family activities and gifts, inviting fans to join the “Kawaii Mama Festival” Japanese-style family fair.

YiaHuei Chen, Rakuten’s Taiwan Ecosystem Manager, commented, "We are excited to welcome these innovative partnerships to this year’s event and look forward to bringing fresh dynamics to the Rakuten Ecosystem, providing consumers with richer and more diverse experiences."

The Taiwan Rakuten Ecosystem invites fans to join them at the stadium on July 5 to cheer for the Rakuten Monkeys. Going forward, Rakuten aims to inspire more individuals to enjoy sports and reflect on their future role in society. By leveraging the strength of its Taiwan ecosystem, Rakuten will continue to deliver comprehensive brand experiences and support for the Rakuten Monkeys, contributing to the sustainable development of the broader sports community.

https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/update/2024/0625_01.html


 

https://www.vissel-kobe.co.jp/news/article/23289.html
 

Open RAN is on the rise as it matures from promise to commercial networks, reducing mobile operator OPEX with a combination of architecture flexibility, power efficiency and performance. Collaborations amongst ecosystem players have also solidified, boosting the infrastructure industry and unlocking Open RAN’s potential. Join this session to hear from industry leaders about the state of Open RAN commercialization and what to expect as deployment scale accelerates.

https://the-network-media-group.squarespace.com/...l-deployment-62r4t
 

Storage management for Google Virtual Machines on GDC

May 24, 2024

In this video, Sricharan Mahavadi (Director of Enterprise Solutions, Customer Success Department of Rakuten Cloud) shared the intricacies of running VM workloads on Kubernetes, focusing on the storage solutions and challenges involved. Why Watch? Gain insights into the benefits of a unified orchestration platform for VMs and containers. Learn about the key considerations for choosing the right storage solution for your VM workloads. See how Rakuten Cloud-Native Storage can simplify storage management and enhance performance for your Kubernetes deployments. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tech content!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzd0Ri631k8
 

Fireside Chat - The Open Telco and the Journey to Cloud Native | Ft. Vivek Chadha

April 30, 2024

At Futurenet World 2024, Rakuten Symphony's Vivek Chadha joined Telenor's Terje Jensen for an engaging Fireside Chat titled "The Open Telco and the Journey to Cloud Native." Watch to explore the full potential of openness and what it means for operators and discover the benefits a cloud-native approach contributes to the journey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXfc6ImKgJ4
 

Groundbreaking Innovations in Cloud Solutions | Google Cloud Next '24

June  21, 2024  

In this video, Subha Shrinivasan (Head of Global Services Division at Rakuten Symphony) delves into how Rakuten Cloud is enhancing customer experience through advanced observability and monitoring tools. Learn about the suite of products designed to provide fine-grained visibility into the cloud and storage platforms, and the onboarding frameworks that ensure a seamless transition to Rakuten Cloud.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSBvbsqo6Fw
 

Rakuten Mobile Launches Commercial Services Using 700 MHz “Platinum Band”

Tokyo, June 27, 2024 – Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s newest and most modern mobile network, today launched commercial services using the “platinum band” 700 MHz spectrum allocated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Leveraging the expertise gained by building its nationwide fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network based on Open RAN standards in the 1.7 GHz band, Rakuten Mobile has swiftly rolled out commercial services in the 700 MHz band. Going forward, the company will continue expanding platinum band services using Rakuten Mobile's network of base stations, starting with remaining coverage gaps.

In addition to deploying 700 MHz base stations, Rakuten Mobile will expand its 5G (Sub6) network coverage in the Kanto region up to 60% compared to January 2024 by year’s end, as measures preventing interference between mobile and satellite communications in shared bandwidth have been relaxed. Furthermore, the company is significantly improving its 5G network speed and stability through software upgrades for its nationwide network of 5G (Sub6) base stations, and expects to enable smoother transitioning between 4G and 5G through the optimization of base station parameters.

As part of its ongoing commitment to provide best-in-class mobile services, Rakuten Mobile continues to enhance the quality of its network through a range of initiatives. These include expanding and optimizing roaming areas in cooperation with its domestic roaming partner, developing shared base stations for subways, railway lines, railway tunnels and underground shopping centers, and continuing to expand its own 4G and 5G base station network.

Rakuten Mobile is committed to further enhancing its network quality so that customers can enjoy best-in-class mobile services anywhere in Japan.

https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2024/0627_01.html

 

Rakuten Symphony UK Managing Director Nastasi Karaiskos on our UK Open RAN Experience Center

June 14, 2024

Nastasi Karaiskos, Managing Director, Rakuten Symphony UK sits down for an interview at our UK Open RAN Experience Center in Weybridge, Surrey with James Dartnell, Director, Corporate Communications EMEA at Rakuten Symphony. In this interview, Nastasi shares details about the work being done at the center which acts as a testing ground and staging environment for Rakuten Symphony's product BUs. Watch the video to learn more about how the facility helps Rakuten Symphony showcase an example of a complete end-to-end Open RAN network to customers, partners and also governments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlwTaUJumXc
 

Transforming Customer Experience with CIQ & Rakuten Cloud | Google Cloud Next '24

June 17, 2024

In this insightful conversation, Robert Adolph (Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of CIQ) shares how our partnership with CIQ is driving exceptional transformation experiences for our customers. Learn about the engineering-level collaboration, cost optimization, and 24/7 support that are key to our joint success.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAb8U0MrOfE
 

Japan’s Rakuten Mobile making gains with Open RAN

Breakeven in sight for Open Ran operator in long campaign against established carriers NTT Docomo, KDDI and Softbank

By SCOTT FOSTER MARCH 30, 2024

Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s upstart mobile telecom network operator, sees light at the end of the financial tunnel as subscriber growth heads toward breakeven on an operating cash flow basis in 2024.

https://asiatimes.com/2024/03/...n-mobile-making-gains-with-open-ran/
 

Rakuten Mobile's 5G (Sub6) Traffic in Tokyo Grows 130%, Active Users Increase 50%, and Network Speed Double

- Increase of base station transmission power and software upgrades significantly improve 5G network speed and stability

Tokyo, June 27, 2024 - Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s newest and most modern mobile network, today announced that it has increased its 5G (Sub6) base station traffic capacity approximately 130% per network cell, increased the number of unique 5G users by approximately 50%, and doubled its average network speed in Tokyo, compared with its previous results for the region, by taking measures to increase the capacity of its 5G (Sub6) base stations.

The network performance improvement is partly due to the easing of measures preventing interference between mobile wireless networks and satellite communications in shared bandwidth frequencies. Rakuten Mobile is now able to increase the radio transmission output power of its existing 5G base stations across the Kanto region and aims to gradually expand its 5G network coverage area across the region by up to 60% by the end of 2024, compared to January 2024. In addition, Rakuten Mobile is enhancing the speed and stability of its 5G network by upgrading the software for 5G (Sub6) base stations nationwide by the end of June 2024, as well as enabling smoother transitions between 4G and 5G network connections through the optimization of base station parameters.

Rakuten Mobile has built a nationwide fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network based on Open RAN standards, deploying a total of 17,210 5G outdoor base stations as of the end of May 2024. The company has succeeded in extending beamforming in massive MIMO by upgrading the software for Rakuten Symphony’s Distributed Unit (DU) and Centralized Unit (CU) wireless access devices used in its 5G base stations. The DUs and CUs developed by Rakuten Symphony are fully compatible with virtualization, allowing for quick upgrades to the base station software running on the virtualized platform.

Rakuten Mobile is also rolling out improvement measures across the Nagoya and Osaka regions. In the Nagoya region, 5G traffic capacity has grown approximately 30% and the number of users by roughly 10%, while in the Osaka region, 5G traffic capacity has grown approximately 70%, the number of users by roughly 40%, and the average network speed has increased approximately 60%. Rakuten Mobile expects to further improve the quality of its nationwide network by continuing to roll out these measures across other regions in Japan.

As part of its ongoing commitment to provide best-in-class mobile connectivity services, Rakuten Mobile has continued to enhance the quality of its network through the expansion of mobile service coverage areas and the improvement and optimization of its network. In recognition of these efforts, Rakuten Mobile has been named by Opensignal, global provider of network experience and market performance insights, as Japan’s mobile network leader in the Games Experience, 5G Upload Speed, 5G Download Speed, Upload Speed Experience and Voice App Experience categories, and joint leader in the Live Video Experience and Video Experience categories in its April 2024 Report.

Rakuten Mobile will continue to enhance its nationwide mobile network quality so that more consumers can have access to and enjoy Rakuten Group’s ecosystem of more than 70 services.
https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/...20240627_01_lang_en
 

Tokyo, June 27 (Jiji Press)--Rakuten Mobile Inc. on Thursday launched its own commercial service using a so-called platinum band, a frequency range that allows easier access to wireless networks even indoors, the Japanese company said.

The company launched the platinum band service in a Tokyo area. It plans to expand the service gradually, putting priority on areas in major cities where signals are weaker.

Rakuten Mobile Chairman Hiroshi Mikitani said in a press briefing that platinum band signals are stronger and can reach crowded places or underground from corner to corner.

https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2024062700977/...-band-service.html
 

https://patents.justia.com/assignee/rakuten-symphony-singapore-pte-ltd

 

https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/campaign/x/

 

The E-Book Reader Market is projected to experience substantial expansion throughout the forecast period. The global E-Book Reader market size is estimated to be worth USD 25130 million in 2021 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 60680 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 12.9%

E-Book Reader Companies or Manufacturer for the Global Market Covered in the Report are:
Amazon
Rakuten Kobo
Barnes & Noble
Hanvon Technology
Onyx Book
PocketBook International
Aluratek
Bookeen
ECTACO
Ematic
Arta Tech
Wexler Flex

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/...main-feed-card_feed-article-content
 

IAB/PwC Internet Advertising Revenue Report 2024

Apr. 16, 2024

Internet advertising revenues reached their highest recorded level of $225 billion between 2022 and 2023 (increasing 7.3% YoY), showing resilience in the face of continuing economic uncertainty. That’s according to the newly released IAB/PwC Internet Advertising Revenue Report: Full Year 2023.
Now in its 28th year, this highly-anticipated report is considered the industry benchmark for US advertising revenue across digital media platforms and publishers. It includes actionable insights throughout all digital platforms, from video and audio, to social media, retail media, and more.

Key findings from this year’s report:   
Internet ad revenues reached record highs of $225B
Digital video and audio revenues maintain strong growth
Social media revenue growth rebounded

https://www.iab.com/insights/internet-advertising-revenue-report-2024/
 

https://markets.ft.com/data/equities/tearsheet/profile?s=4755:TYO
 

It is run by FE fundinfo Alpha Manager Mark Pearson, who actively turns the portfolio by selling shares that have re-rated and going back into cheaper areas of the market. Mackie described him as “very much a value manager”.

The vehicle’s top 10 holdings include Panasonic, Rakuten and Mitsubishi.

https://www.trustnet.com/news/13418261/...n-japan-after-its-re-rating
 

Rakuten Securities and Hirogin Life Partners working together

https://www.rakuten-sec.co.jp/web/company/newsrelease/fy2024.html
 

https://global.fr.shopping.rakuten.com/actualites/...et-idees-recues/