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 Fashion to Offer Exclusive FETICO Products, Celebrating the Brand's 5th Anniversary and Collaboration with "by R” Project

Tokyo, August 21, 2025 - Rakuten Group, Inc. today announced that its fashion e-commerce site, Rakuten Fashion, will offer exclusive products from FETICO to celebrate the brand's 5th anniversary and its collaboration with the "by R" project, an initiative supporting the Japanese fashion scene. Designed by Emi Funayama, these exclusive products will be available for purchase starting August 26 at 9:00 a.m. (JST), with the product page available starting today.

Rakuten is supporting FETICO’s fashion show during Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO S/S 2026, scheduled for September 3, 2025, through the “by R” project*1. By offering “by R” exclusive products through Rakuten Fashion, Rakuten aims to broaden FETICO’s appeal to both existing fans and new customers.

Additionally, the runway show will be held in collaboration with the Japanese holistic beauty brand THREE, which will provide fragrance performance and product support for models' makeup. As part of this initiative, a special "by R" limited edition makeup pouch, designed by Emi Funayama in collaboration with FETICO and THREE, will be given as a gift while supplies last to purchasers of FETICO's exclusive products and THREE products.

https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2025/...=8&category=ec
 

AST SpaceMobile has deployed its first five commercial satellites (dubbed Bluebird) in LEO, marking a key advancement in developing a space-based mobile network infrastructure. These satellites have the largest-ever commercial communications arrays spanning 693 square feet. They offer non-continuous service across the United States using more than 5,600 cells within the premium low-band spectrum.  This achievement follows the success of the company's in-orbit BlueWalker 3 satellite, creating a space-based cellular broadband network that can directly link with mobile devices, eliminating the need for ground-based infrastructure. It plans to deploy 45 to 60 satellites into orbit by the first quarter of 2026. The company boasts a diverse portfolio of more than 3,650 patents and patent-pending claims worldwide for the direct-to-cell satellite ecosystem from space to Earth.

The SpaceMobile service is compatible with all major brands available in the market and connects directly to everyday mobile phones. It delivers broadband connectivity from space to unmodified mobile devices, providing a service to fill cellular coverage gaps in a differentiated approach compared to other space-based communication services. AST SpaceMobile has partnered with leading carriers such as AT&T Inc. T and Verizon Communications Inc. VZ to tap into a pre-existing pool of cell customers and raise funds to help build a worldwide satellite network. This has enhanced cellular coverage in the United States, essentially eliminating dead zones and empowering remote areas of the country with space-based connectivity.

However, unfavorable macroeconomic conditions, including rising inflation, higher interest rates, capital market volatility, tariff imposition and geopolitical conflicts, are negatively impacting the company’s operations. These have led to continued fluctuations in satellite material prices, resulting in increased capital costs and pressure on the company’s financial performance. In addition, AST SpaceMobile faces severe competition from existing and new industry leaders like SpaceX’s Starlink and Globalstar, which are developing satellite communications technology using LEO constellations. To combat such competitive pressure, ASTS has to continuously customize its network offerings, enhance the cost-effectiveness of its products and services and boost the satellite data networks, which increases operating costs and reduces margins.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...m-connectivity-stock-140700986.html
 

Rakuten Advertising Affiliate Program: Commission & Program Details (2025)

https://getlasso.co/affiliate/rakuten-advertising/
 

We Are Symphony: A conversation with Jian Min Chai

August 20, 2025

https://symphony.rakuten.com/blog/...-conversation-with-jian-min-chai
 

5G Network Infrastructure Company Benchmark Report 2025 | Top 20+ Companies Pushing Innovations Across RAN, Transport, and Core/edge Segments

The global 5G network infrastructure market, valued in the tens of billions annually, is expanding beyond CSPs to include enterprises exploring private 5G networks. Frost Radar identifies the top 23 companies pushing innovation across RAN, transport, and core/edge segments. Discover their strengths and market opportunities.

August 06, 2025

Companies to Action
         •    Adtran          §
         •§Affirmed Networks, A Microsoft Company
         •    Amdocs          §
         •§Aviat Networks
         •§Casa Systems
         •Ciena
         • Cisco
         • Ericsson
         • Fujitsu          §
         •§Hewlett Packard Enterprise
         •Huawei
         • Infinera          §
         •§JMA Wireless
         •Mavenir
         • NEC
         • Netcracker
         • Nokia          §
         •§Parallel Wireless
         •   Radisys          §
         •§Rakuten Symphony
         •§Ribbon Communications
         •§Samsung Networks
         •   ZTE
§
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/...edge-Segments.html
 

Rakuten Advertising: Q2 Affiliate Partner Spotlight

June 26, 2025

Diversify your affiliate program and watch your performance soar! Our Q2 Partner Spotlight highlights the innovative up-and-coming publishers on the Rakuten Advertising network.

https://blog.rakutenadvertising.com/...iliate-partner-spotlight-2025/
 

What sets Rakuten Mobile apart

What sets Rakuten Mobile apart is the diversity of data sources it draws upon: internal node statistics, field tests, active/passive probes, social media, and notably, crowdsourced data. As Mahmoud emphasized, this helps the team monitor performance at a granular, real-world level—urban and rural, peak and off-peak, indoor and outdoor.

This data empowers Rakuten Mobile to identify cell-edge degradation, fine-tune site planning, and benchmark against competitors with a level of confidence that lab-based testing alone cannot offer.

https://www.opensignal.com/2025/08/...-lessons-from-rakuten-mobile/jp
 

Low-earth orbit service providers flying high

15 August 2025

Low-earth orbit (LEO) systems are increasingly attractive to businesses (especially SMEs) and to domestic subscribers all over the world

The value of the sector is forecast to grow by almost 25% to hit US$14.8bn by 2026

LEO services for global IoT connectivity will also grow by 32% in the same period

Meanwhile, geostationary-orbit satellites (GEOs) retain their own advantages, bringing about a trend towards the ‘complementarity’ of satellite system

https://uktin.net/whats-happening/news/...rvice-providers-flying-high
 

The US Government Should Expand Its Push for Open RAN Adoption Worldwide

August 22, 2025

The U.S. government can work to prevent Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturers from dominating the global market by promoting Open Radio Access Networking (Open RAN) standards worldwide. Radio access networks are a component of mobile infrastructure that connects user devices to the broader network. Open RAN is a technological standard for building that infrastructure using open, compatible interfaces, allowing hardware and software from different vendors to work together. While China's mercantilist policies boost its manufacturers, such as Huawei and ZTE, enabling them to take ever-greater global market share, a wider adoption of Open RAN standards would level the playing field and allow the United States to restore its telecommunications equipment industry as a global competitor.

https://itif.org/publications/2025/08/22/...n-ran-adoption-worldwide/

 

FY2023 = 34.4 billion JPY

FY2024 = 50.7 billion JPY (Increase of 16.3 billion JPY= 47.4%)

FY2025 (Forecast) = 64.3 billion JPY (Increase of 13.5 billion JPY = 26.7%)

https://www.rakuten-bank.co.jp/corp/english/...IR_Presentation_EN.pdf
 

Beyond 5G: Building the AI-Native Foundations of 6G Intelligent Growth Series

August 06, 2025

What happens when AI stops being an add-on and starts becoming the backbone of your network?
In this forward-looking panel, telecom leaders from Deutsche Telekom, Rakuten Symphony, and Aira Technologies unpack the foundational shifts needed to support AI-native 6G. From data-driven architecture to operational intelligence, discover how embedded AI will redefine how future networks are built, scaled, and monetized.

Featuring:
Mohammad Sharifan, Lead Architect – Group Technology/ Data & AI, Deutsche Telekom
Geoff Hollingworth, CMO, Rakuten Symphony
Rahul Atri, Chief Product Officer, Aira Technologies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXyCeaRU4gg
 

https://seekingalpha.com/article/...itda-beat-and-re-rating-potential
 

Rakuten: Staying Bullish On EBITDA Beat And Re-Rating Potential

Aug. 12, 2025 12:00

Summary

I maintain my buy rating on Rakuten, driven by strong Q2 EBITDA and the presence of multiple catalysts.

The Mobile unit outperformed, achieving positive EBITDA and subscriber growth, with ARPU boosted by high-volume data users.

Valuation discounts should narrow as Rakuten demonstrates intra-group synergies and accelerates deleveraging.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/...itda-beat-and-re-rating-potential
 

Rakuten Kobo’s push for smarter, more personal reading

23 August 2025

Kobo stands as the world’s second-largest digital reading platform, a testament to its foresight and unwavering commitment. With over 33,000 publishers and a catalog exceeding 8 million titles, Kobo delivers eBooks to an astonishing 195 countries. This global footprint underscores a shared focus on empowering retailers and fostering partnerships rather than competing with them.

Crucially, Kobo views AI as a powerful tool to augment, not replace, human creativity and expertise. For authors, AI can serve as an invaluable assistant for research and organization, freeing them to focus on the unique stories only they can tell. For booksellers, AI helps refine recommendations through better categorization and curated collections tailored to individual readers.

As one example, Kobo is looking at the potential of AI enhanced search capabilities for book recommendations tailored to specific interests or situations. This reflects how AI can become a practical tool to personalize, simplify and even enhance the reading experience.

Kobo’s innovative spirit extends to its business models. The introduction of Kobo Plus, an all-you-can-read subscription service now available in over 20 countries, exemplifies their willingness to disrupt themselves to meet evolving customer needs. This bold move has shown fascinating results.

Subscribers read twice as much and finish books six times more often, encouraging them to explore new authors and genres. This initiative not only provides readers with immense value but also offers publishers and authors new avenues for discoverability and growth, giving “second lives to hundreds of thousands of books.”

https://guildfordjobcentre.co.uk/...or-smarter-more-personal-reading/
 

Handelsplatz          § Tag-Stk.
          
 Tradegate                                                       28.774                    §
 Frankfurt                                                                 3.696                    §
 Stuttgart                                                                 1.000                    §
    Gettex                                                            §         5.784

https://www.ariva.de/aktien/...n-group-inc-aktie/kurse/handelsplaetze

 

This Space Economy Stock Is Up Over 100% This Year and Planning to Disrupt SpaceX's Starlink Service

Mon, August 25, 2025

Key Points

AST SpaceMobile is trying to disrupt the terminal-based Starlink business.

It has plans to partner with major telecommunications providers.

The growth potential is massive, but AST's stock trades at a premium valuation.

SpaceX is one of the best-known companies in the world. It is privately valued at an estimated $400 billion, with a lot of that market value coming from its fast growing satellite internet service called Starlink that has a reported 6 million customers and is growing rapidly. But what if there was a company about to disrupt Starlink's entire business model?

Satellite internet services like Starlink are great, but they come with one big drawback: clunky terminals. The standard dish is not ginormous, but is not something you could take out on a hike. AST SpaceMobile plans to get rid of the terminals altogether with its constellation of ultra-large satellites that can beam high speed internet directly to smartphones.

This would be a stepchange in customer value for satellite internet, and could lead to two outcomes. One is more people willing to pay for satellite internet, and two is existing customers of Starlink and equivalent services switching to AST SpaceMobile with its direct-to-device technology.

As it launches more of its satellites, AST SpaceMobile expects to turn on its service in the United States and then grow to Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan throughout 2026. It will take steady launches of these large satellites, but eventually AST SpaceMobile has a path to true global coverage with direct-to-device internet.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...onomy-stock-over-100-100000224.html
 

In order to get the product in the hands of customers, AST SpaceMobile is partnering with the major telecommunications providers such as AT&T and their equivalent carriers in other countries to bring direct connection satellite internet as an add-on service you can pay for through your internet bill. According to management, its partners have 3 billion combined existing customers that it can upsell this internet service to.

But when will the service be ready? Sooner than you think. As of the latest quarterly update, AST SpaceMobile said it will enable satellite internet connectivity in the United States at some point in 2025, leading to between $50 million and $75 million in revenue in the back half of the year. The company generates close to zero revenue today. This revenue will include commercial contracts as well as deals with the United States government.

There are six satellites in orbit today, with plans to get 45 to 60 in orbit through 2026 to enable service in other markets such as Japan, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Eventually, the service will be available in all markets globally.

Huge investments, but a large opportunity

Running some quick estimates, you can see how large the potential market opportunity is for AST SpaceMobile as the only provider of direct internet connectivity for telecommunications providers today.

For example, if it can drive 100 million customers to sign up for AST SpaceMobile's service at $10 a month in revenue sharing for the company, that is $12 billion in annual revenue. It will not show up immediately, but you can see why management is confident it can quickly scale up revenue to a $100 million annual run rate in the United States from a standing start this year. Remember, too, it has an existing partnership with the U.S. government that will bolster sales.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...st-spacemobile-stock-130000965.html
 

Gesamtvolumen          §43.123 Stück
Gesamtumsatz          §225.645 €

https://www.ariva.de/aktien/...n-group-inc-aktie/kurse/handelsplaetze
 

Why Rakuten Insight

Quality Panels and Local Expertise in Asia, US & Beyond

When was the last time you received authentic local feedback for your surveys to ensure the highest quality online data? Rakuten Insight does this every single time. We provide a rich blend of authentic local insight and premium proprietary panels to clients who are looking for quick, affordable, and, most of all, reliable online samples in Asia & US.

https://insight.rakuten.com/why-rakuten-insight/
 

Country Winner at the Global Finance World's Best Consumer Digital Bank Awards for 11th Consecutive Year

August 26, 2025

Rated as the best digital bank for individual customers in Japan

Rakuten Bank Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President & CEO: Tomotaka Higashibayashi, hereinafter referred to as "Rakuten Bank") is pleased to announce the "Country Winner" awarded to the country's best digital bank at the "Global Finance World's Best Consumer Digital Bank Awards" sponsored by Global Finance magazine, a U.S. financial magazine. It has been awarded for 11 consecutive years.

The "Global Finance World's Best Consumer Digital Bank Awards" are a survey of Internet banking services in the world by the editors of Global Finance magazine and Infosys, a global leader in consulting technology outsourcing, will jointly evaluate business models and innovations to select outstanding banks. This year was the 26th time it was held.

Country Winner Category: Best Consumer Digital Bank and Best Digital-Only Bank

Rakuten Bank was awarded the "Country Winner" award for the following points:
Rakuten Bank clearly differentiates itself from its competitors through its digital-first and app-centric approach
Customers can enjoy a seamless experience through strong collaboration with the Rakuten Group's broader ecosystem
Customers can use multiple services with a single Rakuten Group ID. to benefit from a full loyalty program

Rakuten Bank will continue to provide attractive products and services to customers.

https://www.rakuten-bank.co.jp/press/2025/250826.html
 

In this closing session of DSP Leaders World Forum 2025, experts from Juniper Networks, Rakuten Symphony, the NGMN Alliance and the University of Cambridge reflect on what the telecom industry must do today to prepare for 6G. The panel challenges the pace and structure of traditional ‘G-cycles’, calling for greater collaboration with vertical industries, a stronger focus on coverage and simplicity, and a more agile innovation ecosystem. Topics include network sensing, AI at the edge, energy and infrastructure readiness, and how telcos can avoid repeating the mistakes of 5G while embracing real-world use cases and faster feedback loops.

Featuring:
Anita Döhler, CEO, NGMN Alliance
Geoff Hollingworth, CMO, Rakuten Symphony
Prof. Harald Haas, University of Cambridge
Neil McRae, Chief Network Strategist, Juniper Networks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFYkkGfa0ug&t=13s
 

From USD 4.47 Billion in 2025 to USD 46.73 Billion by 2032

Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) Market Size:

Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) Market size is estimated to reach over USD 46.73 Billion by 2032 from a value of USD 3.25 Billion in 2024 and is projected to grow by USD 4.47 Billion in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 34.1% from 2025 to 2032.

Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) Market Scope & Overview:

Open radio access network (open RAN) refers to a mobile network architecture that promotes interoperability and flexibility in radio access networks by using open interfaces and disaggregating hardware and software components from different vendors. It aims to shift from the traditional, closed, and proprietary RAN models towards a more open and programmable ecosystem. Moreover, open radio access network (open RAN) offers several benefits, including reduced vendor lock-in, interoperability, increased flexibility and scalability, cost savings, enhanced security, and others.

https://www.consegicbusinessintelligence.com/...twork-open-ran-market
 

Rakuten Mobile Launches "SAIKYO Protection" Service to Strengthen Smartphone Safety and User Confidence
Comprehensive digital protection, including Norton Mobile Security, available for 990 yen (tax included) per month

Tokyo, August 26, 2025 – Rakuten Mobile, Inc. today announced the launch of "SAIKYO Protection," an advanced optional service designed to deliver robust security and peace of mind for smartphone users. Available from today for a monthly fee of 990 yen (tax included), SAIKYO Protection integrates comprehensive digital protection, featuring Norton Mobile Security, alongside a suite of services addressing cybersecurity concerns from data privacy to malware defense and incident response. First-time subscribers to the service will benefit from a complimentary three-month trial period.

https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/...20250826_01_lang_en
 

Conclusion: A New Era for Rakuten

Rakuten's Q2 2025 results are more than a quarterly win—they represent a strategic inflection point. By monetizing its mobile ecosystem, embedding AI into core services, and leveraging cross-segment synergies, the company is building a scalable, self-reinforcing platform. For investors seeking exposure to Asia's AI-driven tech-financial ecosystem, Rakuten offers a compelling combination of near-term profitability and long-term innovation.

https://www.ainvest.com/news/...h-ai-driven-ecosystem-dominance-2508/
 

Nomura upgrades Rakuten (RKUNF) to a Buy

Aug 26, 2025

In a report released today, Daisaku Masuno from Nomura upgraded Rakuten to a Buy, with a price target of Yen1,085.00.