Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket

permanent derartige Artikel platziert, die im Widerspruch zu Analysten-Aussagen wie denen in 6374 stehen, die ich sogar noch für zu pessimistisch eingeschätzt habe.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/...-mobile-makes-shares-unattractive  

Ich kann einfach nicht nachvollziehen, dass hier ignoriert wird, dass Rakute Mobile statt der ursprünglich geplanten sieben Jahre seine Investitionen auf 2 Jahre komprimiert hat, für die ersten drei Millionen Subscriber ein Freijahr eingeräumt wird (wahrscheinlich werden es mehr, weil man statt der der Zahl "3 Millionen" jetzt einen Zeitpunkt im April gewählt hat) und man einen Zeithorizont von sage und schreibe nur einem Jahr (2021) hat.
 

One-Year Free Campaign war meines Erachtens eine exzellente Strategie, da ich ziemlich sicher bin, dass sie bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt auf 3,5 bis 4 Millionen Subscriber kommen, die sie beim Festhalten an der Zahl "3 Millionen" statt des jetzt gesetzten Datums nicht so schnell erreicht hätten. Jedenfalls erleichtert das das Erreichen der ersten 5 Millionen Subscriber, die ich für das Jahresende 2021 als Ziel sehe. Ein Abklingen von Corona würde m.E. zudem die Gewinnung von Kunden erleichtern, denn wer wechselt schon gerne in unsicheren Zeiten seinen Mobilfunkanbieter.  

Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten RCP have a gigantic lead over competitors

Rakuten Mobile on 5G transformation: ‘Writing code to address automation is a critical thing’

Sean Kinney, Editor in Chief
FEBRUARY 26, 2021

In conversation with Rakuten Group CTO Tareq Amin

Q: In describing your vision for network automation, you’ve used the analogy of Level 4 autonomous driving for vehicles. Could you give an overview of to what degree your network operations are currently benefiting from automation and describe how you get from where you are today to this future Level 4 degree of network autonomy?

A: When we looked at building Rakuten Mobile network with a fully-virtualized architecture, we also thought that we had a remarkable opportunity to transform the foundation of what we call our data pipeline. In that context, legacy systems such as operations subsystems, orchestration and many others, we had a great opportunity to fundamentally transform the thinking of how the construct of all of these comes together to provide true telemetry, real-time performance management, move away from counter-based way of monitoring and managing network to real-time customer experience. The journey started with a complete fundamental transformation of the OSS layer. We went from monolithic boxes—from fault [and]performance management, configuration, accounting, security, workflow—into one modular architecture, and what a remarkable thing that we have seen when we have done this.

I’ve always talked in the industry about this dream towards Level 4 autonomy in networks and today…I feel this is more pragmatic reality, more of a tactical approach. I am not underestimating the complexity that we need to go through to really achieve that vision. But wouldn’t it be exciting if the industry we’re in today talks about the concepts of autonomous networks the same way that you hear in autonomous cars. I think now that the excitement that we see is that the reality is in reach. I’ve always talked about this. I really believe we are within a 24-month window to be able to achieve a considerable level of advancements in the concepts of autonomous networks.

If you look at Rakuten Mobile today, I would say we’re about 55-60% into the journey but the good news for me personally is that the foundation has already been built. That was the tough part. The tough part was just getting through these early stages of how you extract telemetry from the virtual network functions, or from our containers, or from our elements whether it is radio, core or other elements, in real time; how you ingest them into large big data platform; how you develop the AI and machine learning that sits on top of this architecture to be able to make decisive decisions on whether it is network isolation, healing, elasticity and many others. I think all in all I believe the hard work is behind us, which is about the foundation, building and now most of our focus is just about continu[ing]to really emphasize the development and the advancements of the use cases on top of this foundation.

https://www.rcrwireless.com/20210226/5g/...code-to-address-automation  

Mehrheit der Deutschen nutzt werbefinanzierte Streaming-Dienste

8. März 2021

https://www.adzine.de/2021/03/...-werbefinanzierte-streaming-dienste/
 

It’s not enough to rely strictly on your own internal key performance indicators. In e-commerce today, success lies with those who are more effective than their competitors, which requires an understanding of your own performance relative to the market. Only Rakuten Intelligence keeps you ahead of the competition with the essential data you need to win in the dynamic and increasingly critical e-commerce channel.

The largest e-commerce panel: Millions of shoppers under measurement.

The most comprehensive shopper data anywhere: Longitudinal behavior from item-level transactions across all devices.

Benchmark performance and drivers: A complete view of e-commerce, across any brand and hundreds of retailers.

https://www.rakutenintelligence.com/industries/retailers
 

Financial Wellness App Provider Douugh Reportedly Forms Partnership With E-Commerce Platform Rakuten

March 7, 2021 @ 10:32 pm By Samantha Hurst

Douugh, an Australia-based AI-driven financial wellness app provider, has reportedly formed a new partnership with e-commerce platform, Rakuten.  Itnews reported that through the partnership, Douugh will use Rakuten as a channel to increase mobile app downloads and fast track customer acquisitions.

While sharing more details about the partnership, Douugh’s founder and CEO, Andy Taylor, stated Rakuten will bring “distinctive marketing solutions” to the Douugh platform. The partnership will also allow Douugh to expand its reach through retail offers, influencers and cashback rewards.

Founded in 2016, Douugh stated is on a mission to democratize banking, developing a bank account with a “brain.” The platform is designed to help users live financially healthier.

“The Douugh bank account offers full banking functionality, complete with the government guarantee on deposits up to $250,000 (and a shiny Douugh Mastercard Debit Card). You’ll be able to send and request money, split bills, create savings Jars, and connect all your existing bank accounts and credit cards – so Douugh can collate, organize and inform you about your spending habits.”

Douugh also noted that it is a coach, mentor, and assistant in one. It learns how users spend to make sense of where they are at, compared to where you want to be.

https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2021/03/...ommerce-platform-rakuten/
 

– all other talking about only

"Cloud-native operational and business support systems (OSS/BSS)
Everyone talks about cloud-native operational and business support systems (OSS/BSS), but how many communications service providers (CSPs) use them?"

https://www.redhat.com/de/resources/...-bss-tm-forum-analyst-material  

Rakuten Mobile UN-LIMIT Applications Surpass 3 Million

Tokyo, March 9, 2021 - Rakuten Mobile, Inc. today announced that the total cumulative number of applications for the Rakuten UN-LIMIT service plan launched on April 8, 2020, has surpassed 3 million, as of today March 9, 2021.

Applications for the Rakuten UN-LIMIT service plan opened on March 3, 2020. By June 30, the number of applications surpassed 1 million, followed by 2 million on December 30. Since the announcement of the new Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI service plan on January 29, 2021, the number of applications for the service plan has grown considerably, surpassing 3 million on March 9, 2021. Applications for the one-year free campaign will close on April 7, 2021*1.

https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/press/2021/0309_02/  

bout the new Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI service plan

The Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI service plan is an enhanced version of the Rakuten UN-LIMIT V plan with a simple fee structure that flexibly adjusts in line with customer data use. The new service plan caters to the diverse needs of customers, from light users who consume very little data, to heavy users who don’t want to have to worry about their monthly data use. As with the previous plan, subscribers can use both 4G and 5G services*2, in addition to free domestic calls when using the Rakuten Link communication app*3.

With the new Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI service plan, the monthly rate will be determined by the amount of data used each month. When total monthly data usage is 1GB or less, the fee will be zero yen for a customer’s first line. If the total monthly data usage is between 1GB and 3GB, the fee will be 980 yen, and for total monthly data usage between 3GB and 20GB, the fee will be 1,980 yen for a customer’s first line. Customers whose data usage exceeds 20GB can use unlimited data*4 for 2,980 yen per month. For customers with a second line, total monthly data usage of 3GB or less will be charged at 980 yen.

Current Rakuten UN-LIMIT V customers will be automatically upgraded to Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI on April 1, 2021. New applications made through the Rakuten Mobile official website or in Rakuten Mobile shops from April 1, 2021, and onwards will be for the Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI price plan.

Rakuten Mobile has built the world’s first fully virtualized cloud native mobile network*5. This network architecture allows for substantial reductions in capital investment and operation costs, enabling the operator to pass on savings to subscribers through a simple and affordable service plan. Powered by cutting-edge technology, Rakuten Mobile will continue to expand coverage for its network nationwide, offer a wide variety of products and provide new services leveraging the Rakuten Ecosystem and Rakuten Points loyalty points program to deliver greater levels of convenience and comfort to customers.

*1 One line per customer. One application only. Separate charges apply for product purchases, option fees, calls and others. Applications for the campaign will close on April 7, 2021.

*2 4G service can be used in the Rakuten network area, the domestic roaming partner network areas and the overseas roaming partner network areas. 5G service is available in certain areas only. A 5G-compatible device is required to use the 5G service.

*3 Excludes certain numbers. When not using the Rakuten Link app, domestic calls will be charged at 20 yen/30 seconds.

*4 Unlimited high-speed data when connected to Rakuten base stations. To provide a fair service, restrictions on transmission speed may be implemented. Please check the coverage areas. In domestic roaming areas, after using the allocated 5GB, unlimited data is available at a maximum speed of 1Mbps. Transmission speed is best effort (the maximum speed of the standard). Actual transmission speeds may vary depending on the network environment.

*5 For a large scale commercial mobile network (as of October 1, 2019). Research: Stella Associa

Source: like start-posting
Quelle: siehe 6384  

Strathclyde partners with Rakuten Mobile to further research on autonomous networks

9 March 2021

The University of Strathclyde and Rakuten Mobile, Inc. announced today a research partnership to realise the vision of developing a unified approach for a fully autonomous mobile network that will be able to monitor, repair and adapt to future use requirements independently.

Rakuten Mobile is Japan’s newest mobile network operator, having launched the full-scale commercial service on the world’s first fully-virtualised cloud-native mobile network in April 2020. The company also plans to create a fully-autonomous network that will reduce maintenance costs and enable new functionality.

Evolutionary algorithms

The research partnership will be led by Dr Pierre Imai, Head of Research & Innovation at Rakuten Mobile and Dr Marc Roper, Reader in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences, who will lead the University of Strathclyde’s involvement in developing and evaluating the necessary evolutionary algorithms needed to create a fully-autonomous network.

“Traditionally, tasks in areas such as network monitoring, anomaly detection, optimisation and problem solving have been carried out by human engineers, but with the rollout of 5G and IoT, and the massive increase in the number of connected devices and applications they are expected to bring, this will no longer be practical,” said Dr Pierre Imai.

“Autonomous networks will play a key role in adapting the networks of the future, and we are excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with the world class team at the University of Strathclyde on research into the field of autonomous networks.”

“Because Rakuten Mobile’s network is already fully-virtualised and cloud-native, it is ideally positioned to accommodate the changes arising from the introduction of evolutionary algorithms into the system,” said Dr Marc Roper.

https://www.strath.ac.uk/whystrathclyde/news/...onautonomousnetworks/  

RADCOM CTO Rami Amit and Rakuten Mobile CTO Tareq Amin discuss the critical role of network assurance capabilities in running the Japanese operator's innovative, cloud-native 5G network and highlight the functionality needed to operate next-generation architectures.

Recorded February 2021 using TelecomTV’s Smart Studio service

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8pO9nQuY1o  

A new way to pay for your groceries in Japan: via cryptocurrency

22 hours ago

Japan is getting one step closer to using cryptocurrencies as actual currencies, thanks to Rakuten Wallet.

Rakuten’s online crypto wallet has started a new service that allows users in Japan to charge their Rakuten Cash with Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash and Ethereum for free. Rakuten Cash can be used not only for Rakuten’s many online services, but also at physical locations throughout Japan, making the three virtual currencies more “real” than ever.

Rakuten Wallet? Rakuten Cash? Rakuten Pay? What does it all mean?

Rakuten Wallet is one of Rakuten’s many innovative fintech companies. Launched in 2017 as a “virtual currency exchange service,” it allows users to store, trade and even exchange Rakuten Points for Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash and Ethereum.

Until now, when Rakuten Wallet users converted cryptocurrencies into Japanese yen and wired them to a bank account, a 300-yen fee would be charged for the transfer. Since last month’s announcement, users can now convert crypto assets into yen and charge them to Rakuten Cash for free.

https://rakuten.today/blog/...wallet-cryptocurrency-rakuten-cash.html  

are a strong partnership

https://www.upplus.in/2021/02/26/...e-program-structure-says-rakuten/  

Kapital-Erhöhung.

https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2021/...category=corp%20ir

Positiv sehe ich die daraus resultierende Reduzierung des Verschuldungsgrades und die Übernahme des weitaus größten Teil der Aktien durch Japan Post. Negativ ist allerdings der durch die größere Zahl der Aktien sich ergebende Verwässerungseffekt: der Gewinn muss auf eine größere Zahl von Aktien verteilt werden.  

vielerlei Hinsicht ein exzellenter Partner:

In April 2017, the Company and Japan Post, a consolidated subsidiary of Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. President: Masuda Hiroya, hereinafter “Japan Post Holdings”), announced a strengthening of our collaboration in e-commerce logistics to improve the efficiency of deliveries and reduce the ballooning of redeliveries. In January 2018, we launched a service that allows customers to pick up products purchased through the “Rakuten Ichiba” marketplace at post offices nationwide and Japan Post's home delivery lockers “Hakoposu”. In December 2020, the Company and Japan Post announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to aim to form a strategic partnership to realize a robust and sustainable logistics environment. This partnership envisions data sharing and leveraging each other’s significant assets and knowhow, including Japan Post’s nationwide distribution network with its enormous delivery volume and data, and Rakuten’s expertise in demand forecasting and logistics operational know-how of order data as developed through “Rakuten Ichiba”. In this way, we will promote the creation of a new logistics platform designed to meet the needs of all stakeholders, including companies sending packages, consumers receiving packages, and workers in the logistics industry.

In addition to collaboration on deliveries from fulfillment centers operated by the Company, known as “RFC (Rakuten Fulfillment Center)”, the Company and Japan Post have collaborated on multiple fronts, including initiatives to reduce redelivery and special delivery rates for merchants on the “Rakuten Ichiba” marketplace. By strengthening cooperation through this alliance and building a new logistics digital transformation (“DX”) platform, the two companies also aim to encourage other e-commerce and logistics companies to participate in the platform, thereby contributing to the improvement of the logistics environment in Japan and to the realization of a sustainable society.

With this background, in addition to aiming to enhance logistics services through collaboration with the Japan Post Holdings Group (Japan Post Holdings and its affiliated companies; the same shall apply hereinafter), with its nationwide distribution network and huge delivery volume and data, the Company also sees significant potential to drive competitiveness and momentum through strengthening its relationship with the Japan Post Holdings Group in order to consider further alliances in FinTech, mobile consumer marketing, base station deployment and other fields. This is the background to our conclusion of a business alliance on March 12, 2021, between the Company, Japan Post Holdings, and its subsidiary Japan Post, as well as the Third-Party Allotment with Japan Post Holdings.

Hiroya Masuda, President, Japan Post Holdings, commented, “From the perspective of our Group strengths across a physical network of post offices nationwide and a robust logistics system, the cutting-edge digital technology and deep knowhow leveraged by the Rakuten Group in a diverse business portfolio of Internet services position them as an ideal partner. This alliance will further strengthen the relationship between our two groups, and going forward, we very much look forward to driving the momentum of our collaborations not only in logistics, but also mobile, digital transformation and a wide range of fields.”

Quelle: siehe 6390
 

neben dem Logistik-Bereich vor allem auch für Rakuten Mobile für sehr wichtig. Zwar dominiert momentan der Online-Vertrieb in Corona-Zeiten, aber gerade deshalb wird m.E. der/die eine oder andere, vor allem Ältere, einen Wechsel von einem anderen Anbieter oder ein Handy überhaupt bisher nicht praktiziert haben.

Wenn neue Verträge von Rakuten Mobile über die vielen Post-Filialen vertrieben werden können, wird sich das ändern. Und von der Kostenseite entlastet das Rakuten Mobile auch enorm, da jetzt nicht mehr so ausgeprägt die Notwendigkeit besteht, mit eigenen Filialen vor Ort zu sein.  

Japan's postal system is investing 150 billion yen ($1.4 billion) in an 8% stake in the e-commerce venture Rakuten to strengthen a partnership in deliveries, fintech and other areas.

Rakuten's shares shot up 8.6% in Tokyo trading Friday on news of the tie-up with Japan Post. Japan Post's gained 4.9%.

Japan Post Holdings President Hiroya Masuda said Friday that the deal brought together "the digital and the real."

The cooperation between the old-style analog mail and Rakuten, founded in 1997 and having 70 digital businesses, was announced earlier. It includes delivery services that allow people to make online reservations to pick up packages and mail in various locations whenever they want, both sides said.

https://techxplore.com/news/...n-rakuten-tie-up-digital-delivery.html
 

The deal brings together Rakuten’s more than 100 million members and Japan Post’s last-mile access to every household and a network of 24,000 post offices, the two companies said in a presentation. The postal group also operates a life insurance business and a bank with about 120 million savings accounts.

“If Japan Post integrates some of Rakuten’s online services to its huge nationwide network, this can be a reasonably big win for both,” Amir Anvarzadeh, a market strategist at Asymmetric Advisors in Singapore, wrote in a note to clients. “It adds one more reason to own” Rakuten shares, he said.

The pair plan to create joint logistics centers and delivery and pick-up systems and will also share data to improve efficiency. Post offices will form counters where people will be able to sign up for Rakuten’s mobile service and make use of other services. They will also collaborate on cashless payments and insurance. Further details of the partnership will be unveiled in April.

Rakuten’s relationship with Walmart dates back at least three years and includes collaboration on fresh produce delivery in Japan and an e-book operation in the U.S. But the connection with Tencent has only been a few months in the making, Hiroto Furuhashi, a managing executive officer at Rakuten, said in an interview after the announcement.

One possible area of partnership with the Chinese internet giant is gaming, including tapping Rakuten’s knowledge of the Japanese market to jointly develop titles, Furuhashi said. The Japanese firm, which has almost no presence in China, is exploring opportunities to connect its brand and merchants to Tencent’s WeChat messaging platform to expand its business in the country, he said, adding that nothing concrete has been decided.

“We have asked ourselves whether having our online ecosystem without gaming will be good enough,” Furuhashi said. “There is also a huge opportunity for Japanese merchants and our brand in China, including in e-commerce.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/...-a-capital-tie-up-nhk-says  

vergleichen will, sollte man schon die richtigen Vergleichsgrößen wählen:

Motley Fool ignore the facts, when he wrote: „Only time will tell if the fresh liquidity will help, though. In a year in which online selling boomed because of COVID-19, Rakuten grew its "internet services" segment revenue by only a single-digit percentage compared to 2019.“

https://www.fool.com/investing/2021/03/12/...amp;utm_campaign=article

That are the facts facts:
Domestic E-Commerce Results of Rakuten (Domestic E-Commerce = Ichiba, Travel, Books, Golf, Rakuten Fashion, Dream businesses, Beauty, Delivery, Rakuten24 (Direct), Logistics, Auto business, Rakuma, Rebates, etc)

Revenue strongly grew at +35.1% YoY

Accordingly, operating income growth strongly increased at +70.3%

https://global.rakuten.com/corp/investors/
20Q4PPT_E.pdf  

Wenn man vergleichen will, muss man das auf der Basis von bewegten Warenwerten machen – und nicht auf der Basis von Umsatzzahlen, denn die Umsätze  von Rakuten sind fast ausschließlich nur Provisionen für die Marktplatzfunktion, während Amazon einerseits als Marktplatz agiert, wo nur Provisionen zu Umsätzen führen, und außerdem auch als unmittelbarer Verkäufer, wo auch die Warenwerte in die Umsätze einfließen.

Nimmt man die Warenwerte (GMS) ergeben sich für Rakuten sehr viel höhere Werte (und zwar in Trillion JPY) als die meist nur die Provisionen erfassenden Umsätze.

GMS comprises Ichiba, Travel GTV on checkout basis, Books, Golf, Fashion, Dream businesses, Beauty, Delivery, Rakuten24 (Direct), Auto business, Rakuma, Rebates, Rakuten Seiyu Netsuper, etc.

Q1/19 = 838.0
Q2/19 = 888.6
Q3/19 = 969.3
Q4/19 = 1017.9
Q1/20 = 916.3
Q2/20 = 1029.8
Q3/20 = 1095.0
Q4/20 = 1409.9 = + 38.5% YoY

global.rakuten.com/corp/investors/
20Q4PPT_E.pdf
 

https://sg.indeed.com/Rakuten-Marketing-jobs  

The cooperation between the old-style analog mail and Rakuten, founded in 1997 and having 70 digital businesses, was announced earlier. It includes delivery services that allow people to make online reservations to pick up packages and mail in various locations whenever they want, both sides said.

The post office will gain technology advice and personnel from Rakuten. In return, Rakuten can use the post office’s network throughout the nation to sell its mobile service at real-life counters. Up to now it has only taken subscribers online.

Cashless payments are another area for possible cooperation. The Japanese post office is one of the biggest banking institutions in the country, holding more than 181 trillion yen ($1.7 trillion) in individual savings.

The shift to digital has been relatively slow in Japan compared to some Western nations, but it is picking up.

Introducing more digital technologies will help the post office deal with the labor shortages that plague many Japanese businesses.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...22-32d331d87530_story.html  

The capital tie-up with Japan Post Holdings also includes an agreement to allow Rakuten to sign up new mobile phone subscribers at post offices around Japan as well as install base stations on the roof of post offices, operated by Japan Post Co.

Japan Post hopes that its lagging delivery service will be helped through Rakuten’s online retailing services. Rakuten and Amazon are the two giants in online retailing in Japan.

Japan Post will also give Rakuten executives positions to help it move toward digitalization of its operations.

Other topics to be discussed in the future concern cooperation in financial settlement services and insurance.

“Rakuten is the best partner for us,” said Hiroya Masuda, president and CEO of Japan Post Holdings, at a March 12 news conference to announce the agreement. “We want to create maximum synergy by bringing together the characteristics of both the digital and real worlds.”

Rakuten Chairman and CEO Hiroshi Mikitani normally holds news conferences in a T-shirt but this time he made a rare appearance in a suit.

“There has never been a partnership in the world between a company with a history as long as Japan Post Holdings and a (relatively new) venture capital company like us,” Mikitani said.

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14265767
 

im letzten Posting angeführten Quelle auch eine m.E. Ungereimtheit, die ich nicht nachvollziehen kann. Denn hier wird eine Eigenkapitalquote kommentiert, die aus einer Zusammensetzung eines Gebildes aus Bilanzen von "normalen" Unternehmungen einerseits und Bankbilanzen bzw. Versicherungsbilanzen andererseits zusammengesetzt ist. Banken arbeiten mit 5%, wenn es hoch kommt 10%  Eigenkapital und Versicherungen liegen weit unter 5% bis hinunter zu 1% Eigenkapital. Und die Bilanzsummen sind dadurch bei Banken und Versicherungen auch sehr viel größer und dominieren somit bei einer Addition, die das Bild verfälscht.

Man kann also nur die Bilanzen der unterschiedlichen Bereiche einzeln betrachten, wie das ja Rakuten auch in seiner Berichterstattung vierteljährlich macht.