#Japan #Tokyo #Samsung #Rakuten Mobile #O-RAN

Rakuten Mobile Embarks on a 5G Journey with Samsung

In a landmark development, Rakuten Mobile has officially announced the procurement of O-RAN compliant 5G radios from Samsung Electronics, marking a significant step in enhancing its capabilities in the rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape. Expected to commence commercial rollout later this year, this collaboration aims to bolster Rakuten Mobile's nationwide cloud-native 5G network, fortified by comprehensive Open RAN (O-RAN) solutions provided by Samsung.

Enhancing Network Infrastructure

The integration of Samsung's advanced O-RAN technology is set to accelerate the deployment of AI utilization and the overall openness of the network, fostering a more agile and efficient mobile service for users. This initiative aligns with Rakuten Mobile’s mission to continually enhance the quality of its mobile services while expanding its geographical coverage.

Samsung has secured this partnership with its proven history and expertise in deploying virtualized radio access networks (vRAN) and O-RAN solutions. The ability of Samsung’s O-RAN compliant radios to integrate seamlessly into Rakuten Mobile’s existing infrastructure is a testament to the reliability of O-RAN within a multi-vendor environment.

From low-band (700 MHz) to mid-band (1.7 GHz) and high-band (3.8 GHz) applications, Samsung is providing a variety of O-RAN compliant radios that cater to different frequency bands. The compact and lightweight design of these radios simplifies installations on buildings and utility poles, enhancing deployment in urban areas where space is at a premium. Moreover, the incorporation of Samsung’s innovative Massive MIMO technology will significantly boost Rakuten Mobile’s network capacity, offering high-speed 5G connectivity even in densely populated regions.

Insights from Leadership

Sharad Sriwastawa, co-CEO and CTO of Rakuten Mobile, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are committed to providing our customers with the highest standard of mobile services. Collaborating with Samsung, a leader in Open RAN, will not only accelerate 5G deployment in Japan but also contribute to the global expansion of Open RAN initiatives.”

Angelo Jeongho Park, Vice President and head of the Strategic Marketing Team at Samsung's Network Business, shared his pride in this collaboration, emphasizing that combining the strengths of both companies will lead to industry-leading communication environments. He added, “Our effort with Rakuten Mobile signifies a new partnership that will further solidify our leadership in Open RAN. We are confident in advancing AI utilization and promoting network openness, enhancing our partnership and seeking greater innovations worldwide.”

Future Prospects

Samsung's network division has successfully established itself as a pioneer in providing integrated 5G solutions, including chipsets, radios, and core devices. The ongoing investment in research and development bolsters its position at the forefront of the industry, propelling the evolution of 5G networks. They aim to pave the way for future communication technologies, including 6G, by offering an extensive range of industry-leading products from dedicated RAN, vRAN, Open RAN, AI-RAN, and core equipment to customized private networks and AI-driven automation tools.

In conclusion, the partnership between Samsung Electronics and Rakuten Mobile is a critical step toward delivering seamless connectivity to millions of users worldwide. The strategic collaboration is set to redefine the telecommunications landscape, ultimately enhancing user experiences and setting the stage for future advances in the industry.