Rakuten Mobile Redefines Expectations in the Mobile Industry with “Zero Declaration”

Tokyo, November 4, 2020 – Rakuten Mobile, Inc. today announced its “Zero Declaration,”^*1 a commitment aimed at improving convenience and reducing the burden on customers with a range of initiatives that completely redefine expectations for mobile carrier services. In line with the Zero Declaration, in addition to already offering SIM exchange and re-issue free of charge since October 12, Rakuten Mobile will also make contract sign-up and mobile number portability (MNP) transfer free of charge from today.

Through its innovative fully virtualized cloud native mobile network, Rakuten Mobile is challenging preconceptions and rethinking mobile services in Japan.

Since launching full commercial service on its mobile network, Rakuten Mobile has revised the various costs related to switching carriers and implemented various measures to reduce the burden of mobile carrier services on customers, such as eliminating contract cancellation fees and offering SIM exchange and re-issue free of charge. By eliminating handling fees and MNP transfer fees, Rakuten Mobile aims to promote the establishment of a mobile market where customers can more freely choose the carrier service that suits their needs and improve convenience for customers. To date, Rakuten Mobile has carried out the following initiatives:

From April 8, 2020

• First year of service^*2 (2,980 yen/month): 0 yen
• Domestic calls with Rakuten Link app^*3: 0 yen
• Contract cancellation fee: 0 yen

From September 30, 2020

• 5G service fee^*4: 0 yen

October 12, 2020

• SIM exchange fee: 0 yen
• SIM re-issuing fee: 0 yen

November 4, 2020

• MNP transfer fee: 0 yen
• Contract sign-up fee: 0 yen

Rakuten Mobile’s aim is to offer a single service plan without complex terms and conditions ­– a plan that is simple, intuitive and easy-to-use for all customers, whether they are in Japan or traveling internationally. The Rakuten UN-LIMIT V service plan launched on September 30, 2020, offers unlimited data within the Rakuten network areas^*5, and 5G service^*4 when in the 5G service areas and with a 5G-compatible device for no additional fees. The service plan also offers unlimited domestic calls and messages and unlimited calls and messages from overseas to Japan^*3 when using the Rakuten Link app for a monthly fee of 2,980 yen. With the announcement of the Zero Declaration, the service plan has also been updated to Rakuten UN-LIMIT V 2.0.

Rakuten Mobile has built the world’s first fully virtualized cloud native mobile network^*6. By virtualizing all the functions of the network, Rakuten Mobile has been able to dramatically reduce capital investment and operating costs of its network compared to traditional industry standards. The cost reductions made possible through technological innovation allow the operator to pass on savings to customers, challenge the preconceptions of mobile services and offer customers a simple and intuitive plan and services.

Rakuten Mobile will launch a campaign for Rakuten UN-LIMIT V offering up to 28,000 Rakuten Points to new customers^*7. The campaign will run online from 9:00 a.m. on November 4, 2020, until 8:59 a.m. on December 1, 2020, and in stores from 11:00 a.m. on November 4, 2020, until closing time on November 30, 2020. New customers who subscribe during this period for a Rakuten UN-LIMIT V contract^*8 will receive 8,000 Rakuten Points for a SIM contract, and up to 20,000 Rakuten Points for purchasing an applicable smart phone as well.

Rakuten Mobile will continue to promote initiatives to redefine expectations for mobile carrier services and provide customers with new experiences. Rakuten Mobile aims to create a market where customers can more freely choose their carrier, and provide a mobile carrier service that understands and responds to the needs of its customers.

* Prices in this press release exclude tax

*1 For more information about the “Zero Declaration,” please see the following site: https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/fee/zero/ (Japanese only)

*2 Limited to one contract and one application per customer. For 3 million customers. The number of eligible customers may change. Charges apply for products purchased, option fees, call fees and other fees.

*3 For details of the pricing plans for Rakuten UN-LIMIT V and charges for Rakuten Link usage, please see the following site: https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/fee/un-limit/detail/ (Japanese only)

*4 Available in certain areas. Coverage to be gradually expanded going forward. For more information, please see the following site: https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/area/5g_area/ (Japanese only)

*5 Unlimited when connected to Rakuten network base stations. Restrictions on transfer speeds may be applied depending on usage.

*6 For a large scale commercial mobile network (as of October 1, 2019). Research: Stella Associa

*7 For details of the campaign, please see the following site: https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/campaign/start-point/ (Japanese only)

*8 Includes changing plans from Rakuten Mobile’s MVNO service (Docomo and AU lines).