Rakuten Mobile Announces Launch of “Rakuten Mobile Partner Program”

Tokyo, March 12, 2020 - Rakuten Mobile, Inc. today announced the launch of the Rakuten Mobile Partner Program^*1, a collaborative program in which Rakuten Mobile will partner with businesses and local government to develop new services leveraging 5G networks and IoT (Internet-of-Things) technologies.

The program is recruiting two types of partners: Project Design Partners, who will propose and jointly manage projects using their own assets and Rakuten Mobile’s network platform, and Project Support Partners, who will provide their own services and technical support to projects.

Businesses and local governments interested in taking part in the program can apply through the official site*2. Applications for Project Design Partners will be open to both businesses and local governments from June 2020. Applications for Project Support Partners are open only to businesses, with applications opening today in the fields of sports and delivery.

Rakuten Mobile is building the world’s first end-to-end fully virtualized cloud native mobile network. By utilizing the cloud-based network platform, partners can flexibly and rapidly create new services. In addition, at the Rakuten Cloud Innovation Lab*3 established in February 2019, partners can test and carry out trials of 5G technologies. Collaboration between participating partners and the more than 70 services offered by the Rakuten Group are also expected in the future.

For Rakuten Mobile, 5G networks are an important part of social infrastructure. With 5G, Rakuten Mobile aims to not only improve the convenience of existing services, but also to utilize the technology to create new business opportunities to solve social issues and contribute to regional development.

*1  Please see the official site for more details on the program (Japanese only): https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/partner/
*2  Applications are only available to businesses and local government organizations based in Japan.
*3  Please see the following site for more information about the Rakuten Cloud Innovation Lab: https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2019/0220_02.html

Overview of the program
Name: Rakuten Mobile Partner Program
Official site: https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/partner/
Launch date: March 12, 2020
Partner types:

• Project Design Partner
  ・Eligible organizations: Businesses and local governments
  ・Applications start: June 2020
  ・Application conditions: The new service concept leverages both the assets of the partner and Rakuten Mobile’s network platform.

• Project Support Partner
  ・Eligible organizations: Businesses
  ・Applications start: March 12, 2020
  ・Application conditions: The partner has technology or services that can support the projects proposed by Rakuten Mobile and Project Design Partners.

Overview of the application fields for Project Support Partners

• Sports projects
  ・Requirements for application: Supporting sports businesses leveraging 5G’s high bandwidth.
  ・Examples: Sports viewing services, simulated fan experiences, fan communication services, etc.
  ・Application period: March 12, 2020 to April 30, 2020

• Delivery projects
  ・Requirements for application: Expanding delivery methods leveraging 5G’s high bandwidth and low latency.
  ・Examples: Drone and UGV delivery services, remote control systems, etc.
  ・Application period: March 12, 2020 to April 30, 2020

*Meetings will be held prior to contracting with companies who apply to discuss the technology and services to be provided.
*Please note that the closing date for applications may change without notice.