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 Cloud & Alita drive Indonesia's digital transformation

06:44:00 | 06 June 2025

https://www.indotelko.com/read/1749124476/...ormasi-digital-indonesia
 

This campaign will drive number of subscriptions above 9 million during June.

https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/en/

 

Alita Praya Mitra in collaboration with Rakuten Cloud, the Indonesia loT Association (ASIOTI), and KORIKA, presents a strategic forum exploring how Edge Computing and Artificial Intelligence can support data sovereignty and accelerate Indonesia’s sustainable digital transformation.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKgGjojzKew/
 

After my estimates ASTS will  have extreme advantages from a potential shift in government funding away from SpaceX.  

Unlock Go-to-Market Secrets with Edge Computing

June 03, 2025

Explore how edge computing provides infinite flexibility for businesses. In this session, moderated by Padmarajan Narayanan (Rakuten Cloud), Vinod Nair (Q Meridian Consulting) and Anirban Chakravartti (Rakuten Cloud) discuss strategies to optimize your go-to-market motion, leverage real-time data, and create long-term customer associations. Discover the power of test and target at the location level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McsM4QilTck
 

So, if Rakuten was a profitable business in 2018, why bothering on doing Mobile? The answer is that mobile is a significant driver of engagement for Rakuten Ecosystem. During 2024, Mobile represented 19% of revenues yet accounted for 34% of revenues growth thanks to the increased engagement in both Internet Services and FinTech. As shown below, Rakuten Mobile subscribers show between +15% to +47% higher usage of Rakuten’s verticals and increase at a higher pace the total verticals adopted, with a Mobile subscriber using 3.17 verticals on average vs. 0.74 for a non-subscriber. Establishing the foundations of Rakuten Mobile might have been painful, but it significantly strengthened the position of Rakuten. Also, through Open RAN and operations using AI and automation, Rakuten affirms they can achieve 40% lower CAPEX and 30% lower OPEX. The mix of (a) the ecosystem advantage and (b) lower costs allows Rakuten to have a competitive advantage over other companies in the telecom sector. For example, here is what Mikitani said on the last call regarding the value offering of Rakuten Mobile for older people:

“Regarding older age groups, unfortunately, I will be turning 60 this year and entering that demographic myself. There are different perspectives on this. Some might say it’s great that we are capturing younger users. However, for those in their 60s, I suspect many are paying other carriers around 7,000 yen for only 3GB of data. We need to conduct a ground war to raise awareness among these individuals about how much they can save by switching to Rakuten Mobile.

Frankly speaking, I believe many of these people are overpaying. While this may be a revenue source for other carriers, we aim to operate fairly. We will communicate clearly that by switching to Rakuten Mobile, they can enjoy free calls, free SMS, 2GB of free data when traveling abroad, and unlimited usage for just 2,980 yen. We will work diligently to spread this message”.

https://carlosfsaavedra.substack.com/p/...ign=post&utm_medium=web


 

Rakuten Medical's Anti-PD-L1 Antibody-IR700 Conjugate, RM-0256, Selected for AMED Funding

SAN DIEGO, June 4, 2025

AMED grant to support the clinical development of RM-0256 photoimmunotherapy for targeting malignant epithelial tumors

Targeting PD-L1, pre-clinical observations indicate RM-0256 harnesses a triple mechanism of action, with potential applications across a broad range of solid tumors, including melanoma, ocular melanoma, urologic, and breast cancers.

Rakuten Medical, Inc., a global biotechnology company developing and commercializing Alluminox platform-based photoimmunotherapy, today announced that its third drug candidate, RM-0256, has been selected for funding by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) under its Support Program for Orphan Drug prior to the Designation.

https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/...cted-for-amed-funding
 

Rakuten Ad & Marketing Day Spotlights AI and Data-powered Solutions

April 24, 2025

Rakuten Group held the first-ever "Rakuten Ad & Marketing Day 2025", a B2B event focusing on advertising and marketing strategies leveraging AI and data. Among the highlights, Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Store shared how advertisements utilizing Rakuten's AI and data led to a significant increase in store visits and purchases at their renovated store. AI products and strategies developed by the advertising business were also featured.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlwJzjmPLn8
 

Rakuten will be able to self-fund CAPEX moving forward

While Rakuten Mobile seems like the right business decision, a 62% dilution is critical. So, what should we expect regarding Rakuten Mobile capital needs and future funding? I believe Rakuten will be able to self-fund CAPEX moving forward. Here are the main reasons why:

        1.§While mobile network required between JPY 250-300bn during its early years, right now the foundation is already established and CAPEX demand is between JPY 150-200bn. Later in this article I will discuss more on Mobile CAPEX.
        2.§Rakuten Mobile achieved monthly EBITDA profitability in December 2024 and the objective for 2025 is that this segment is EBITDA profitable. In 2024, Rakuten Mobile generated an EBITDA loss of JPY -111bn (USD $0.77bn), so getting this back to the P&L is a huge tailwind.
        3.§On 2024 Rakuten was already able to self-finance investment. It is important to mention though that this included JPY 170bn (USD $1.17bn) from mobile sale & leaseback proceeds, which is a one-off.
        4.§Internet Services and FinTech had strong performance in 2024 and they should keep improving in 2025, being a further lever of cash generation.
        5.§Thanks to Rakuten’s financial impovement, the company is now having better debt terms. The spreads of existing USD bonds have reduced 200-400 bps and in December 2024 the company issued a 5.2% perpetual bond (USD), compared to a 6.0% senior bond issued in April of the same year.

https://carlosfsaavedra.substack.com/p/...ign=post&utm_medium=web
 

Rakuten Mobile, DT seen as cloud-native telco pioneers

Jun 6, 2025

TelecomTV recently conducted its second Cloud-Native Telco Market Perception Survey

We asked network operators which of their peers they regard as the cloud-native telco sector pioneers

Rakuten Mobile and Deutsche Telekom took the top spots, with Orange in third

https://www.telecomtv.com/content/cloud-native/...lco-pioneers-53172/
 

https://www.ariva.de/aktien/ast-spacemobile-inc-aktie

Und Rakuten hat davon 31 Millionen Stück.  

Net Assets (Implied Value): JPY 3.59T (USD $24.8bn)

(+) Rakuten Internet Services: JPY 1.47T (USD $10.2bn)

(+) Rakuten FinTech: JPY 1.72T (USD $11.9bn)

(+) Rakuten Mobile: JPY 1.93T (USD $13.3bn)

(+) Rakuten Group Non-Consolidated Cash: JPY 750bn (USD $5.2bn)

(-) Rakuten Group Non-Consolidated Debt: JPY 1.73T (USD $12.0bn)

(-) Rakuten Mobile Loans and Lease Finance: JPY 342bn (USD $2.4bn)

(-) Rakuten Mobile Lease Obligations: JPY 207bn (USD $1.4bn)

(=) Net Assets (Implied Value): JPY 3.59T (USD $24.8bn)

Disclosure: After finishing the write up, I opened a position in Rakuten.
Thanks for reading Carlos F Saavedra Substack!

https://carlosfsaavedra.substack.com/p/...ign=post&utm_medium=web
 

So a Basic Need, Cloud-Based Digital Transformation Will Reach IDR 22 Trillion in Indonesia by 2025!

Responding to these challenges, Rakuten Symphony collaborated with a national system integrator company, PT Alita Praya Mitra, offering a solution through a seminar entitled "Resilient Edge Computing for Data Sovereignty & Modern AI Workloads".

The seminar aims to explore real-world case studies related to the use of edge computing and Software-Defined Storage (SDS), discuss the transition from legacy virtualization platforms to Kubernetes-native architectures, address the demands of local data regulation and national security, and encourage strategic collaboration among industry players.

Meanwhile, President Director of Alita, Teguh Prasetya, who also serves as Chairman of the Indonesian Internet of Things Association (ASIOTI), explained that edge computing and AI technology play a key role in supporting data sovereignty and operational efficiency in various sectors in the era of Indonesia's digital transformation.

He emphasized that the momentum of the presence of global investors and local initiatives in the field of AI is very important to strengthen the national digital ecosystem.

Rakuten Symphony Inc's Global Head of Sales, Udai Kanukolanu, said that the collaboration between Alita's on-premises expertise and infrastructure with Rakuten Symphony's global cloud innovations, OSS, and open RAN, aims to accelerate the adoption of digital services nationwide.

"This initiative is in line with Indonesia's vision of empowering digitalization in the future, encouraging economic growth and technological advancement," he said.

https://www.liputan6.com/tekno/read/6045391/...nesia-pada-2025?page=3
 

Why Rakuten Mobile will cross 9 million subscribers soon

https://tokyointernationalmeetup.com/2025/05/19/rakutenmobile/

 

May 14, 2025

Rakuten Rewards, the cash-back shopping platform, has appointed Wendy Bergh as chief marketing officer (CMO). Bergh brings a track record of marketing leadership across high-growth e-commerce and technology companies. She will lead efforts to enhance the company’s member-focused programs and initiatives.

“I’m incredibly excited to join Rakuten Rewards,” said Bergh. “The business has a strong foundation, a loyal member community and significant opportunities for continued growth. I look forward to deepening member engagement by delivering more rewarding everyday shopping experiences while strengthening our value to merchant partners seeking to connect with our vibrant and active shopper base.”

Rakuten, founded in 1999, formerly Ebates, is a cash-back and shopping rewards company. Its revenue comes from affiliate network links. Members of the site click through affiliate links before shopping at a retailer’s site. The company reports earning its members $3.6 billion in cash back for shopping through Rakuten.

https://sgbonline.com/...en-rewards-appoints-chief-marketing-officer/
 

Remember, all Virgin TV customers with Virgin TV 360 or our Stream box have access to two new themed channels Rakuten Top Movies (CH 446) and Rakuten TV Action (CH 447) at no extra cost.

https://www.virginmedia.com/the-edit/tv/virgin-tv-channel-guide
 

Why are Japan’s global residents choosing Rakuten Mobile?

9 hours ago

Mobile service is a basic necessity in Japan – including for those who hail from abroad. But for many international residents, between language barriers and puzzling paperwork, signing up for a cell plan can be a tricky undertaking.

Rakuten Mobile is changing that – and Japan’s global community is taking notice.
A recent survey by MMD Labo revealed that Rakuten Mobile is now the most-used carrier among international residents in Japan, claiming a 21% share – well ahead of the second-place provider at 15.6%. Even more telling: 25.5% of international respondents revealed that Rakuten Mobile would be their top consideration next time they switched carriers.

Word of mouth fueling organic growth

After just a few short years in operation, Rakuten Mobile has earned a reputation for good service among subscribers in Japan. Last year it won the top spot in the Oricon Customer Satisfaction Survey for the second year running.

“The fact that global subscribers are driving organic growth through word of mouth is a strong indicator that we’re doing something right.”

Yu Nishimura, Senior Manager, Rakuten Mobile’s Marketing Planning Department
Subscribers praise the simple pricing plans and quality of coverage – a product of expanded bandwidth, breakthroughs in 5G and rapid improvements in the fundamental technology driving the network. As of February 2025, Rakuten Mobile had surpassed 8.5 million subscribers in Japan.
Among non-Japanese subscribers, the recent survey highlighted two fundamental draws of the service: price and data capacity. Rakuten Mobile’s single, unlimited plan offers value that few competitors can match, especially for data-heavy users.

The survey also revealed that word of mouth is Rakuten Mobile’s most powerful marketing tool among global residents. New users are discovering the service not through advertising, but primarily through friends, coworkers and social groups.

“The fact that global subscribers are driving organic growth through word of mouth is a strong indicator that we’re doing something right,” remarked Yu Nishimura, Senior Manager of Rakuten Mobile’s Marketing Planning Department. “Subscribers are clearly seeing the value and telling others, which is the best endorsement we can hope for.”

Rakuten Mobile’s strong reputation is translating into real numbers. Non-Japanese subscribers now account for around 25% of all contracts, an 8% year-on-year increase.

Speaking your language

Rakuten Mobile’s success among Japan’s global residents is far from accidental: since launch, the carrier has made intentional moves to support non-Japanese customers. Specifically, the company has targeted long-standing friction points surrounding accessibility, pricing and usability.

Multilingual support is one standout example. Customers at Rakuten Mobile stores have access to support materials in English, Chinese, Nepali, Vietnamese and more. Multilingual leaflets help explain contracts and documents, while staff at some 162 stores around Japan use Pockettalk AI translators to aid communication further.

In May 2025, Rakuten Mobile expanded multilingual efforts even further. In addition to Japanese and English, the Rakuten Mobile website is now available in Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Portuguese.

“Overcoming the language barrier when signing up for a mobile contract has long been a challenge for global users in Japan” explained Nishimura. “We’re happy to see that our efforts to simplify the process and provide inclusive services are paying off.”

Setting a new standard

Rakuten Mobile has expressed a commitment to further improvements to international accessibility, aiming to set a new standard for carriers in Japan. Nishimura hopes that Rakuten Mobile’s multilingual success will serve as a positive example to Japan’s wider telecommunications industry.

“The success we’ve had in attracting such a broad, diverse base of customers gives us confidence that the product we offer is fundamentally appealing,” said Nishimura. “We hope other carriers take note. Accessibility shouldn’t be an afterthought – it should be an integral part of all services from the outset.”

https://rakuten.today/blog/...-residents-choosing-rakuten-mobile.html  

Rakuten Optimism U.S. 2025 connects, inspires affiliate industry

1 day ago

https://rakuten.today/blog/...nnects-inspires-affiliate-industry.html

 

Market-Cap of Rakuten Bank = $8 billion

https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/N5G.F/

Rakuten owning 50% of Rakuten Bank = $4 billion
 

Share-price of ASTS = 35,96

https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/ASTS/

Rakuten owning 31 shares of ASTS = $1.1 billion
 

AST SpaceMobile Stock (ASTS) Rallies Alongside Surging Demand for Satellite Internet

AST SpaceMobile Inc. (ASTS) is helping shape the future of global internet connectivity through its ambitious satellite-based technology. With the potential to expand reliable internet access to remote and underserved regions, support growing government contracts, and meet the rising demands of data connectivity across industries, satellite internet is emerging as a transformative force in communications (and the stock market).

The market for satellite internet is projected to grow rapidly, with analysts estimating it could reach $24.6 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 30%. ASTS stock is following this trend, recording a surging 14% gain over the past week and a 47% gain year-to-date.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...e-stock-asts-rallies-190600745.html

 

My price target is more than double of Jefferies: 2,000 yen

Jefferies Adjusts Rakuten's Price Target to 900 Yen From 730 Yen, Keeps at Hold

Published on 07/25/2024 at 05:30, updated on 07/25/2024 at 05:31

https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/...Keeps-at-Hold-47466927/

 

New features for small businesses in Ukraine

Separate folders for chats with customers, business calls and search by category: Viber launches new features for small businesses in Ukraine

11 June 2025, 11:542025-06-11

Rakuten Viber is launching new free features to help small businesses in Ukraine more effectively communicate with customers and promote their services. The updates are part of Viber Business Profiles, launching in Ukraine in the fall of 2024. Business Profiles allow small business owners to maintain their online presence and more effectively engage customers.

https://dev.ua/en/news/rakuten-viber-1749631531
 

We recently talked with Ofir Eyal, CEO of Rakuten Viber, who shared valuable insights into the rise of conversational commerce, the importance of security, and the role of messaging apps in business communication.

https://www.facebook.com/infobip/videos/...en-viber/1746442729239450/
 

Rakuten Symphony and AT&T have announced an expansion

Taking telco AI ops to its iPhone moment

By Keith Dyer 12 June 2025

AT&T expansion is just the beginning of Rakuten Symphony's ambitions in AI operations, as it eyes a future iPhone moment for the AI user interface.

After MWC 2024, TMN wrote about how AT&T was adopting new site management software from Rakuten Symphony to digitise and automate the process of deploying, upgrading and managing sites across its network.

At the time, we quoted Igal Elbaz, SVP, Network CTO, AT&T saying that there were around 7,000 users of Rakuten Symphony’s Site Management software amongst those responsible for deploying and managing its sites, with the software replacing a large number of legacy systems. Elbaz also said there was potential for AT&T to expand its use of Rakuten Symphony’s automated solutions.

He said, “There has been a lot of benefit already in the migration from the old systems to the new system… We’re very excited about this and are thinking about where else we can extend that capability in other parts where we are doing engineering and build."

Today Rakuten Symphony and AT&T have announced an expansion of their work together, with the operator giving an wider role to Rakuten Symphony’s Site Manager within its processes for managing its Open RAN site re-build, as well as fibre site rollout. A release from the two companies said AT&T has extended a multiyear collaboration agreement to expand adoption of Rakuten Symphony Site Management to accelerate AT&T’s Network Simplification Transformation project and 5G Open RAN deployments.

https://the-mobile-network.com/2025/06/...i-ops-to-its-iphone-moment/