Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket

Chat, sell, retain, repeat: How messaging apps create effective customer conversations

by Etienne Dupont
January 10, 2022

Viber Business messages can supercharge the customer experience. By letting businesses communicate with customers through a convenient, always-on communication channel, it encourages meaningful conversations that cement the customer-company relationship. Done right, it will turn occasional buyers into lifelong loyal customers.

https://www.thedrum.com/profile/viber/news/...-customer-conversations
 

Rakuten is one of clients and and of the owners of Robin.io

STL and Robin.io Announce Strategic Collaboration to Deliver Core Technologies to Empower 5G Stacks for Enterprises and Cloud Service Providers
Thursday, January 13th 2022, 1:23 AM CST

SAN JOSE, California – Robin.io, a leader in Kubernetes data management for enterprise applications and operator 5G solutions, announced a strategic collaboration with STL [NSE: STLTECH], an industry-leading integrator of digital networks, to offer (Xaas) as-a-service solution. The Xaas solution will leverage the STL Enterprise Marketplace Platform with the Robin Cloud-Native Platform (CNP) to deliver enterprise applications and 5G services effectively.

“Built on the foundation of cloud-native, zero-touch automation and open architectures, the integrated marketplace solution will enable CSPs to deliver new revenue models and accelerate customer onboarding while keeping service delivery costs in check. The marketplace solution built jointly by STL and Robin.io for service providers and enterprises will disrupt the way XaaS frameworks are built and delivered,” said Partha Seetala, founder and CEO of Robin.io.

Robin.io provides cloud-native capabilities that automate deployment, scaling and lifecycle management of enterprise and 5G applications on Kubernetes. The company’s core technology uses application bundles and application pipelines, which are automated through patented infrastructure and application-topology awareness technology. Robin.io allows developers and platform engineers to deploy and easily manage data rapidly- and network-centric applications—including big data, NoSQL and 5G—independent of underlying infrastructure resources. Robin is used globally by companies including BNP Paribas, Palo Alto Networks, Rakuten Mobile, SAP, Sabre and USAA.

https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/...-cloud-service-providers  

I am sure, that the government will help Rakuten more, because Rakuten fulfilled the wish of the government for a fourth operator - and no other japanese company was/were able to do so.

"There is one last point on this business that needs a mention. Rakuten is currently lobbying the Japanese government to obtain the so-called “Platinum Band” of lower frequency spectrums (700-900MHz). Compared to Rakuten’s current 1.7GHz spectrum that it uses, these offer improved penetration enabling better area coverage and network quality. The big-3 operators all possess these prized spectrums, and Rakuten is making the case to the government that it too should have access in order to enable fair competition and to further bring cheaper and better services to the public. However, spectrum allocation is a controversial matter in Japan, notorious for being crony capitalism and the process being highly untransparent. With the big 3 on the other side pressuring the government to delay the re-allocation for as long as possible, it remains to be seen if/when Rakuten could be given the opportunity."

Read more at:
https://valuepunks.substack.com/p/deep-dive-rakuten-4755-tyo-rkuny
 

https://www.lightreading.com/open-ran/...026---analysts/d/d-id/774511
 

werden in den nächsten Monaten nach und nach allein an Roaming-Zahlungen eingespart.

In the most recent quarter (Jun-Sep 2021) Rakuten paid ~36b yen (= 316 million) to KDDI (34% of its mobile losses of 105b)

Rakuten doesn’t disclose its payments, but using KDDI’s disclosure investors can actually back out how much Rakuten is paying in roaming charges. In the most recent quarter (Jun-Sep 2021) Rakuten paid ~36b yen (= $ 316 million) to KDDI (34% of its mobile losses of 105b). The total cost of mobile business increased 40b over last year, out of which half of this was due to increase in roaming charges to KDDI! There are reports that Rakuten is paying KDDI ~500 yen per GB of roaming, for up to 5GB per user, or ~2,500 yen per user (this is nuts!) So obviously, if they can shut off this roaming payment, it will go a long way to improving mobile economics. Understandably, Rakuten has been building its own network at the fastest possible pace to become self-reliant. Management expects to be able to greatly reduce reliance on KDDI, once 96% population coverage is achieved by 2Q of 2022. From October, Rakuten has started to drastically reduce the KDDI roaming area in 39 prefectures by switching to its own network. Going forward, the shutoff of roaming payments should be a major driver for narrowing mobile losses.

https://valuepunks.substack.com/p/deep-dive-rakuten-4755-tyo-rkuny
 

seine zukünftigen Erlöse und Kosten besser kalkulieren kann als ein Analyst von außen und sich hüten wird, falsche Prognosen in die Welt zu setzen und sich die Börsenaufsicht auf den Hals zu hetzen.

„Today (= Jan 11, 2022), a spokesperson for Rakuten Mobile said the company is aiming to achieve break-even on a monthly basis during 2023.“

https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/...rk-saves-40-opex-sitebasis
 

fast 10.000 Stück auf Tradegate verkauft haben.

https://www.ariva.de/rakuten-aktie/tradegate-orderbuch-131/

Alle konnte ich mir die nicht leisten, aber eine kleinere Portion schon - zumal selbst die Briefkurse weit unter dem umgerechneten Preis für die 1100 Yen in Japan lagen und noch liegen.  

Break-Even after follwing math = 13 million subscribers

„To get a sense of breakeven point for the mobile business, consider the current annual cost run-rate of 640b yen. We should adjust this by substracting out the KDDI roaming payments of 140b. To achieve independence from KDDI, Rakuten will require additional capex which we’ll assume as 200b from earlier, or 40b on the P&L (5 year depreciation). This results in an adjusted cost run-rate of 540b. To breakeven on this, Rakuten needs 400b of sub revenue and 140b of handset revenue (assumes handset revenue is ~35% of sub revenue, in line with Softbank). At 2,500 yen ARPU, that requires ~13m subs ( 7% of total 180m mobile subscriptions in Japan). Softbank has 38m subs as the smallest of the three majors, so Rakuten needs to get to 34% of that.“

https://valuepunks.substack.com/p/deep-dive-rakuten-4755-tyo-rkuny
 

Break-even of cash-flow from operations of Rakuten Mobile will be a lot lower than by 13 million subscribers, because the investments of Rakuten Mobile in the next months and years will be a lot lower than the depreciations.  

Rakuten Mobile needs for the change from 4G to 5G only a simple software-switch.

I can’t understand the following argumentation:

„The New Street analysts have determined that the problem is the company’s poor spectrum allocation and its slow rollout of 5G.“

https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/...k-saves-40-opex-site-basis

The reliance on KDDI is a 4G-reliance – only when Rakuten Mobile can use it’s own network, the rollout of 5G will take place.

And with the stronger use of the own network since the fourth quarter of 2021 we will see a massive rollout of 5G. Rakuten Mobile needs for the change from 4G to 5G only a simple software-switch.  

DECEMBER 18, 2021

ONE of the world’s leading apps for free and easy communication, Viber has expanded its growth in the Philippines in 2021, a year marked by strategic partnerships that respond to the changing needs of the users and allowed them to explore how the app can be an integral part of their day-to-day life beyond calls and messages.

These partnerships have been Viber’s key driver for success, as the messaging app recorded 33-percent growth in monthly active users in 2021, with 31-percent increase in power users or those using Viber more than 25 days in a month. Group features like group messages and calls have remained a favorite among the users, posting the biggest gain at 110-percent upsurge. More brands and businesses have also started using Viber to communicate with their customers given that the app noted a 54-percent increase in business messages. Meanwhile, one-on-one messaging is still a must feature at 28-percent growth.

What’s more interesting is that Viber noted that over half of its users in the Philippines are part of the younger demographic with 40 percent belonging to the 25-34 age group, followed by the 35-50 at 30 percent. Filipinos below 24 years old have also started using the app more, making up 17 percent of its users, while the remaining 13 percent are comprised of 52 years old and up.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/12/18/...-the-philippines-in-2021/  

Will Open RAN maintain momentum in 2022? - TM Forum Inform

Open RAN attracted a lot of attention in 2021. Dean Ramsay, principal analyst, TM Forum, discusses in our Quick Talk podcast what helped spark the huge interest in Open RAN; the current state of play and whether momentum will continue to build during 2022.

https://inform.tmforum.org/...ill-open-ran-maintain-momentum-in-2022/
 

Starting 1Q 2022, a Starting 1Q 2022, a boost to revenue should actually just be right around the corner

„It’s now time to look at the financials side (see below chart). Let’s see…a massive sea of red, as expected! Looking at this, it’s not surprising that investors have shunned this company. Because at first glance, it seems disastrous. Ever since they started the mobile service in March 2020, revenue has barely grown while costs have soared.

Let’s look at topline first. You might think it’s odd that topline hasn’t grown - after all, haven’t they been increasing mobile sign-ups? One needs to pay attention to two dynamics at play here. First is the free promotional period. For new subscribers with start date between March 2020 to March 2021 Rakuten offered a very generous one-year free contract (From April 2021 onwards they’re offering 3 months free instead of one year). In particular, a large number of new subs were added in the last three months (Jan-March 2021) due to the last-minute demand prior to the conclusion of this one-year free campaign. These subs won’t start paying until one year later, which is starting 1Q 2022. Therefore, a boost to revenue should actually just be right around the corner.

https://valuepunks.substack.com/p/...ive-rakuten-4755-tyo-rkunyshould actually just be right around the corner

„It’s now time to look at the financials side (see below chart). Let’s see…a massive sea of red, as expected! Looking at this, it’s not surprising that investors have shunned this company. Because at first glance, it seems disastrous. Ever since they started the mobile service in March 2020, revenue has barely grown while costs have soared.

Let’s look at topline first. You might think it’s odd that topline hasn’t grown - after all, haven’t they been increasing mobile sign-ups? One needs to pay attention to two dynamics at play here. First is the free promotional period. For new subscribers with start date between March 2020 to March 2021 Rakuten offered a very generous one-year free contract (From April 2021 onwards they’re offering 3 months free instead of one year). In particular, a large number of new subs were added in the last three months (Jan-March 2021) due to the last-minute demand prior to the conclusion of this one-year free campaign. These subs won’t start paying until one year later, which is starting 1Q 2022. Therefore, a boost to revenue should actually just be right around the corner.

https://valuepunks.substack.com/p/deep-dive-rakuten-4755-tyo-rkuny  

Over-The-Top Services Market is Progressing At a CAGR of 24.00% From 2021-2028 Says, Data Bridge Market Research

The major players covered in the over-the-top services market report are Amazon Inc., Apple, Inc., Rakuten, Inc., Evernote Corporation, Dropbox, Inc., Hulu, LLC, Skype, Google, Inc., Netflix, Inc.,LinkedIn Corp., Twitter Inc., Facebook, Inc., Yahoo Inc., Nimbuzz, Microsoft Corporation, Limelight Networks, Inc., Akamai Technologies, IBM Corporation, Roku Inc., Brightcove Inc., Kaltura Inc., ActiveVideo, HBO NOW, WhatsApp Inc, and Viber Media S.a.r.l, among other domestic and global players.

Read more: https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/...ge-market-research#ixzz7I4sRkGNr

What is the over the top market?
An over-the-top (OTT) media service is a media service offered directly to viewers via the Internet. OTT bypasses cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms, the types of companies that traditionally act as controllers or distributors of such content.  

Well-positioned to benefit as a royalty play on Japan’s financial digitization

On the financial services side, the below chart illustrates the breakdown of services. Rakuten is the largest credit card issuer in Japan, with 24 million total cards issued (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, JCB). It’s also the largest online bank with 11 million accounts (side note – company is now preparing for an IPO of Rakuten Bank). They also have sizable presences in online brokerage (6.7 million accounts), online insurance, and a payments business including E-money (Edy) and mobile/QR code payment through Rakuten Pay. For consumers, Rakuten can take care of all of their financial needs without having to leave the ecosystem.

A major growth driver for Rakuten’s financial services portfolio is the growth of cashless payments in Japan. You may already know that Japan has one of the highest reliance on physical cash usage among developed economies (Japan’s cashless payment ratio is in the 20% range, versus developed country average in the 40-60% range). The Japanese government has designated the advancement of cashless society as a strategic priority, and established a goal of 40% cashless payments ratio by 2025. Rakuten is singlehandedly responsible for roughly 20% of Japan’s cashless transactions through its credit cards and other payments offerings, and is well-positioned to benefit as a royalty play on Japan’s financial digitization.

https://valuepunks.substack.com/p/deep-dive-rakuten-4755-tyo-rkuny  

https://www.tensojapan.com/en/html/rakuten/220115/
 

Respectable 25% market share in Japan’s 20 trillion e-commerce market

„Rakuten’s GMV is on track to hitting 5 trillion yen (~$44 billion) this fiscal year, which gives it a respectable 25% market share in Japan’s 20 trillion e-commerce market. Rakuten GMV has grown at 12% CAGR over the last five years, outpacing the broader Japanese e-commerce market growth rate of 8-9% (source: METI). With Japanese e-commerce penetration at only 8% (vs. China 20%, South Korea 19%, and US 12%), the runway for growth is still long.“

https://valuepunks.substack.com/p/deep-dive-rakuten-4755-tyo-rkuny
 

Brand Lift Studie von LoopMe: Analyse der Wirkung Ihrer Kampagne auf die Markenbekanntheit

Mit Brand-Lift-Umfragen können Werbetreibende und

... (automatisch gekürzt) ...

https://blog.rakutenadvertising.com/de-de/news/...en-medienprodukten/

 

Einer-Milliarde-Übernahme durch Visa für Rakuten anfallen.

Currencycloud secures US$80 million from Visa, World Bank

January 29,

... (automatisch gekürzt) ...

https://www.ejinsight.com/eji/article/id/2363692/...m-visa-world-bank

 

Rakuten Advertising understand the value of connecting with consumers within the context in the right moment

Context is King, and Content is Queen  

As with previous years, compliance and privacy regulation will continue to shake up the media and performance marketing industry. Advertisers and publisher partners will have to get on board if they haven’t already. The loss of third-party cookies will make hyper-personalized targeting difficult. Marketers will need to return to ‘old school’ tactics like context, a trend we’ll see rise across media and performance marketing.  

For affiliate partners and advertisers, this comes in the form of content commerce and influencer marketing. Instagram continues to monetize its offering for influencers, while content and media houses lean on the rise in popularity of ‘shoppable commerce.’ Both content commerce and influencers place marketing messages in a native environment for the consumers, which doesn’t feel invasive and aligns to their interests and likes based on the platform they’re choosing to spend their time.  

Similarly, on the media front, the challenge of using personalization strategies will increase next year. Conversation in the industry has shifted from the loss of cookies and identifiers to the inability to target consumers. Agencies and brands who understand the value of connecting with consumers within the context of a moment will do well in mitigating the challenges caused by the depreciation of cookies. This is where Connected TV (CTV) comes into play.

https://blog.rakutenadvertising.com/...-performance-marketing-trends/

 

Moriningstar maintain fair value estimate of JPY 1,400

Loss on Mobile to Peak for Rakuten in Early 2022 due to the Termination of the Roaming Contract

Kazunori Ito Director
Analyst Note
Jan 14, 2022

We fine-tuned narrow-moat Rakuten’s earnings forecasts and maintain our fair value estimate of JPY 1,400. We have lowered the mobile segment’s revenue forecast as we think Rakuten’s user acquisition will not be as fast as we had anticipated, and accordingly, the pace of reduction in operating loss will be slower than the previous forecast. However, we expect the shortfall will be offset in the long run as we lifted the operating income assumptions for the internet services segment and the fintech segment. We view Rakuten’s shares as slightly undervalued.

Due to intensified competition with the incumbent telecom carriers, we lowered Rakuten mobile’s user number assumptions. In March 2021, three existing carriers introduced more competitive plans, cutting prices by 30%-40% for a 20GB per month plan. Although Rakuten still maintains some advantage as it offers an unlimited data usage plan for the same pricing, we think that the pace of user migration will be lower than our expectation due to the shrinking price gap.

Rakuten announced that its 4G population coverage in Japan has reached 94.3% by October 2021, and thus it has started to gradually terminate the roaming contract with KDDI in 39 prefectures. While we forecast the operating loss from the mobile segment will continue until fiscal 2024, we believe the quarterly operating loss will peak out in the first quarter of 2022 as roaming fee payment to KDDI will start to decline. We estimate that Rakuten has paid more than JPY 30 billion to KDDI in the September quarter, which is one of the major reasons for the segment’s operating loss. We think that improvement on the segment’s loss may be the catalyst for Rakuten’s shares.

https://www.morningstar.com/stocks/xtks/4755/quote  

Rakuten Mobile senkt Preise für Original-Smartphones "Rakuten Hand" und "Rakuten BIG s"
Rakuten Mobile gab bekannt, dass es die Produktpreise des ursprünglichen 4G-kompatiblen Smartphones "Rakuten Hand" und des ursprünglichen 5G-kompatiblen Smartphones "Rakuten BIG s" am 14. Januar überarbeiten wird.

Die überarbeiteten Preise betragen 12.980 Yen (bis zu 20.000 Yen) für Rakuten Hand und 39.980 Yen für Rakuten BIG s (bisher bis zu 50.980 Yen).

Darüber hinaus wird rakuten hand die "Rakuten Hand 7.980 Punkte Giveaway Kampagne" starten.
Die Kampagne gilt für Benutzer, die neu bei Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI sind, wenn sie rakuten Hand als Set beantragen. Der Aktionszeitraum beginnt am 14. Januar.m um 9:00 Uhr (das Enddatum ist unentschieden) im Web und der Shop öffnet am 14. Januar (Enddatum ist unentschieden).

https://news.kakaku.com/prdnews/cd=keitai/ctcd=3147/id=114789/
 

Read additional:

https://s-max.jp/archives/1812983.html

 

Is Viber the missing piece in your communications strategy?

Viber: The New Business Must-Have

Li Xin Teo
August 18, 2021

When it comes to modern-day marketing, chat apps are the secret weapons of many forward-thinking businesses. Don’t believe us? A 2020 survey conducted by Rakuten Viber revealed that 53% of customers are more likely to buy from companies that they can contact via chat apps, and 56% of customers would prefer to text rather than call a business.

While we’re not suggesting that voice calls or email will entirely go out of style, this research does show that the once ordinary method of leaving a contact number and email address on your company homepage simply won’t cut it anymore. With today's consumers now seeking the convenience of chat apps, businesses have to do what Ross Geller from the TV show "Friends" said best: "Pivot!" And Viber is one chat app that allows you to do just that.

Here are some of the features that sets Viber apart from other messaging apps on the market.

https://www.8x8.com/blog/viber-for-business-chat-apps
 

Rakuten working with the government for clearance to use the full 20MHz of 4G spectrum

„While Rakuten Mobile was allocated 20MHz of 4G spectrum, rollout in many of the regional centers was initially limited to 5MHz due to the government reallocation process. The company is currently working with the government for clearance to use the full 20MHz in these areas. As more areas switch from 5MHz to 20Mhz, the carrier will see its average speeds increase significantly.

In the 5G realm, Rakuten Mobile has 500MHz of spectrum, a level on par with Japan’s other network operators.

“What we’ve done in 4G was enabling a world-first virtualized infrastructure. For 5G, we have a world-first containerized architecture, completely cloud-native radio access software that is (made up of) disaggregated micro services,” he explained.

“Between LTE, which is 40MHz and about 500MHz of spectrum assets, we think we have a very strong position to be able to increase capacity and demand.”

https://rakuten.today/blog/...n-scales-nationwide-mobile-network.html