Andrew Bonwick
Vice President of Product Development at Relm Insurance
Madhav Sheth
CEO of Ai+ Smartphone
Stephen Rose
CEO Render Networks


Rakuten Mobile, a Japanese telecommunications provider, has reached a significant milestone in its network expansion efforts. With the completion of over 57,000 base stations and a 4G population coverage of 98.4 percent, the company continues to strengthen its position in the market.
Also Read: Ericsson and KDDI Deploy Japan’s First Vault 5G Base Stations
Expanding Network Infrastructure
According to Rakuten Mobile’s recent earnings presentation, the company’s 4G base stations (outdoor) have exceeded 57,000 sites, reaching a total of 57,358 by the end of the first quarter of 2023. This achievement highlights Rakuten Mobile’s commitment to constructing base stations from scratch, enabling the expansion of its network across Japan.
Focus on Platinum Band
Rakuten Mobile is determined to maximize network performance and quality for its customers. The company is actively analyzing opportunities in the 700MHz, 800MHz, and 900MHz frequency bands, aiming to secure the Platinum Band for its network. By utilizing these frequency bands, Rakuten Mobile aims to enhance connectivity and provide an exceptional user experience.
Also Read: KDDI Starts Deployment of 5G Open vRAN Sites in Japan
New Roaming Agreement
In a joint announcement, Rakuten Mobile, KDDI, Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company revealed a new roaming agreement effective from April 2023. KDDI committed to providing roaming services to Rakuten Mobile through its au network until March 2026. As Rakuten Mobile’s 4G network coverage has expanded to achieve 98 percent population coverage, the two companies reviewed their existing agreement and made enhancements.