Rakuten Mobile Subscribers Surpass 5 Million

Tokyo, August 23, 2021 - Rakuten Mobile, Inc. announced today that as of August 23, 2021, the combined number of subscribers for its mobile carrier service and MVNO service^*1 has surpassed 5 million.

Since full-scale launch of its mobile carrier service in April 2020, Rakuten Mobile has continued to improve service quality by upgrading service plans, expanding its own network areas, opening new Rakuten Mobile stores and expanding its device lineup, including original devices. On April 8, 2021, one year after the launch of full-scale commercial service, Rakuten Mobile also launched a campaign^*2 offering new Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI subscribers the first three months of service free of monthly fees, as it continues to offer initiatives to promote new signups and customer retention. On April 30, 2021, Rakuten Mobile began offering the iPhone 12 lineup, AirTag, AirPods Pro and other Apple-designed accessories, and support for all iPhone models running iOS 14.4 and later^*3,*4.

The Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI service plan features a simple fee structure that flexibly adjusts in line with customer data use. The service plan caters to the diverse needs of customers, from light users who consume very little data, to heavy users who don’t want to have to worry about their monthly data use. As with the previous plan, subscribers can use both 4G and 5G services^*5, in addition to free domestic calls when using the Rakuten Link communication app^*6. With Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI, when total monthly data usage is 1GB or less, the fee will be zero yen for a customer’s first mobile line. If the total monthly data usage is between 1GB and 3GB, the fee will be 980 yen (1,078 yen inc. tax), and for total monthly data usage between 3GB and 20GB, the fee will be 1,980 yen (2,178 yen inc. tax) for a customer’s first line, and the monthly rate will be determined by the amount of data used each month. Customers whose data usage exceeds 20GB can use unlimited data^*7 for 2,980 yen (3,278 yen inc. tax) per month. For customers with a second line, total monthly data usage of 3GB or less will be charged at 980 yen (1,078 yen inc. tax). Customers can apply for a contract both online on the Rakuten Mobile website and at Rakuten Mobile stores nationwide.

Rakuten Mobile has built the world’s first fully virtualized cloud native mobile network^*8. This network architecture allows for substantial reductions in capital investment and operation costs, enabling the operator to pass on savings to subscribers through a simple and affordable service plan. Powered by cutting-edge technology, Rakuten Mobile will continue to expand coverage for its network nationwide, offer a wide variety of products and provide new services leveraging the Rakuten Ecosystem and Rakuten Points loyalty program to deliver greater levels of convenience and usability to customers.

*1 New applications for the Rakuten Mobile MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) service (Docomo lines, au lines) are closed.
*2 One line per customer. One application per customer only. The first three months of service free of monthly fees will be applied to the first line the customer applies for. Separate charges apply for product purchases, option fees, calls and other items. Customers who have previously made use of the one year free campaign are not eligible for the three months free campaign.
*3 Rakuten Mobile recommends that customers update to the latest version of iOS when using an iPhone with Rakuten Mobile's service. Please visit this page for more information: https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/product/byod/ (Japanese only)
*4 Information about each iPhone model and the functions they support is available on the product page on the Rakuten Mobile website.
*5 4G service can be used in the Rakuten network area, the domestic roaming partner network areas and the overseas roaming partner network areas. 5G service is available in certain areas only. 5G services can be used in the Rakuten network areas offering 5G coverage when using a 5G-compatible device.
*6 Excludes certain numbers. When not using the Rakuten Link app, domestic calls will be charged at 22 yen/30 seconds (inc. tax).
*7 Unlimited high-speed data when connected to Rakuten base stations. To provide a fair service, restrictions on transmission speed may be implemented. Please check the coverage areas. In domestic roaming areas, after using the allocated 5GB, unlimited data is available at a maximum speed of 1Mbps. Transmission speed is best effort (the maximum speed of the standard). Actual transmission speeds may vary depending on the network environment.
*8 For a large scale commercial mobile network (as of October 1, 2019). Research: Stella Associa

*All prices in this press release exclude tax unless explicitly stated otherwise.
*Apple, iPhone and AirPods Pro are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions.
*iPhone is a trademark or registered trademark of Aiphone Co., Ltd. and is used under license.
*iOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license.
*The company names, product and service names in this press release are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.