Rakuten Symphony Partners with Industry Leaders to Advance Open RAN Technology
2nd March 2025
Last year, Rakuten Symphony introduced its Real Open RAN Licensing Program, aiming to democratize Radio Access Network (RAN) technology worldwide. In a positive development, Rakuten Symphony has now secured its first three partnerships under this initiative, with Cisco Systems, Airspan Networks, and Tech Mahindra all agreeing to promote its Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) solutions.
In detail, Airspan and Tech Mahindra will act as resellers for Rakuten Symphony's Open RAN software licenses, targeting global telecom operators and enterprises. Meanwhile, Rakuten will collaborate with Cisco to develop a private 5G mobile network solution that combines Cisco’s Mobility Services Platform with Rakuten Symphony’s Open RAN software. Additionally, Tech Mahindra will be designated as Rakuten Symphony’s primary systems integrator.
Odine and Rakuten Symphony Enter into a Strategic Partnership to Drive Innovation in Network Transformation
ISTANBUL, March 6, 2025
Odine, a global technology partner in sustainable network and digital transformation, is pleased to announce that it has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Rakuten Symphony, a global leader in cloud-native Open RAN telco infrastructure, services, and solutions. This strategic collaboration marks a significant step in accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge solutions in Türkiye, Middle East and Africa.
Libuda
: Rakuten pitches telcos with FAST channels
Rakuten pitches telcos with FAST channels through Enterprise Services
March 4, 2025
The company is expanding its Enterprise Services division, which includes Content Syndication, Monetisation and FAST Channels & Video App Solutions.
Rakuten TV works with major European telecom operators including Virgin Media O2 (UK), MasOrange (Spain), 1&1 (Germany), and Altibox (Norway), as well as top FAST services including VIDAA, Xiaomi TV+, LG Channels, and Samsung TV Plus.
“We’ve been operating streaming and VOD platform for 15 years now. We’ve done many things. We’ve started with TVOD just in Spain, then we expanded to many countries in Europe six years ago. Then back in late 2019, beginning of 2020, we launched AVOD also we were the first platform launching this free content with ads,” said Cédric Dufour, CEO and President of Rakuten TV in a Broadband TV News interview.
Libuda
: Symphony Announces Isbel as Latin American Partner
Rakuten Symphony Announces Isbel as Latin American Partner
BARCELONA, March 5, 2025 – Rakuten Symphony, a subsidiary of global technology leader Rakuten Group, has announced that Latin American technology solutions provider Isbel, a Quantik Group company, will act as its value-added reseller in the region, delivering Rakuten Symphony’s Open RAN, Cloud and OSS solutions to mobile network operators in the region. Isbel will drive Rakuten Symphony’s business development, implementation and Level-1 support across its regional footprint.
The announcement positions Rakuten Symphony as Isbel’s flagship partner. Isbel will support Rakuten Symphony’s expansion throughout a range of LATAM markets, including Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands. Isbel has 40 years of experience in technology solutions and is currently supporting mobile network operators across the OSS, BSS, OTT, cloud and RAN domains.
Libuda
: Strong progress by 1&1's Open RAN network
1&1's Open RAN network: all customers to be migrated by the end of the year
1&1 is making progress in building its own mobile network after initial difficulties. According to 1&1, more than half of the company's 12 million customers are now served by the new network, with around 250,000 new and existing customers joining every week. By the end of the year, 1&1 wants to have completed the migration and only work on the Open RAN. Martin continues: "Open RAN has long since left the laboratory environment behind and is, at least for us, the reality."
Libuda
: Targeting full-year EBITDA to turn positive in 25
Targeting full-year EBITDA to turn positive in 2025
Rakuten Mobile achieved profitability in the final month of 2024 five years after launch, with chair Mickey Mikitani targeting full-year EBITDA to turn positive in 2025, driven by subscriber and ARPU gains. The operator’s EBITDA in December hit JPY2.3 billion ($15.1 million). The figure for the full-year dropped by JPY98.7 billion from a year ago to a loss of JPY53.8 billion.
Mikitani attributed the move to profit to strong subscriber acquisition and increased ARPU due to improved network quality, as well as ongoing cost control and rising ad revenue.
Introducing the New Rakuten Card Sendai Branch Office
March 07, 2025
In September 2024, the Rakuten Card Sendai branch office relocated to accommodate the expansion of the organization. The new office, located just a 6-minute walk from Sendai Station, features approximately 600 workspaces and meeting rooms. The office is also equipped with excellent welfare facilities, including a cafeteria that offers three free meals a day and a study lounge for skill development and reading. The matching original hoodies worn by Rakutenians carry a unique meaning specific to the Sendai office.