Rakuten Mobile Surpasses 7 Million Mobile Carrier Service Subscribers

Tokyo, June 17, 2024 – Rakuten Mobile, Inc. today announced that the number of subscribers for its mobile carrier service has surpassed 7 million as of June 16, 2024^*1. 500,000 subscribers were added in just over two months since the 6.5 million milestone, marking the largest ever three-month net increase in subscribers since the launch of the Rakuten UN-LIMIT VII plan^*2*3.

Since the full-scale launch of its mobile carrier service in April 2020, Rakuten Mobile has continued on its mission to democratize the mobile industry, offering an affordable and simple service plan while expanding the Rakuten network area through the build-out of base stations and roaming agreements.

Rakuten Mobile has broadened its appeal to customers by expanding its service offerings, launching the Saikyo Kids Program in May 2024, which rewards customers aged 12 and under with 440 Rakuten Points each month if their monthly data usage is 3GB or less^*4,5,6,7,8. Together with the Saikyo Family Program and Saikyo Youth Program launched this spring, Rakuten Mobile now provides even more affordable mobile services to a wide range of demographics.

For corporate customers, Rakuten Mobile continues to leverage the strengths of the Rakuten Group to provide services tailored to business needs. In April 2024, the company introduced the Rakuten Mobile Buddycom Set, a special discount package combining Rakuten Saikyo Plan Business with a wireless communications app for accommodation facilities registered with Rakuten Travel, a leader in digital transformation for the travel industry. With the advent of such initiatives, the Rakuten Saikyo Plan Business has been well received by partner companies from Rakuten Travel, Rakuten Ichiba and across the Rakuten Ecosystem.

In addition to service expansion, Rakuten Mobile is working to continuously improve network quality. In recognition of these efforts, in April 2024, the company was named by Opensignal, global provider of network experience and market performance insights, as Japan’s leading mobile network service provider across five network performance areas^*9. On April 30, 2024, the company started radio frequency testing for the 700 MHz spectrum, also known as the “platinum band.”^*10  Upon completion, the company aims to roll out commercial service using the 700 MHz band on its own base stations, starting with urban areas.

Rakuten Mobile will continue its efforts to improve network quality and expand its range of services so that all customers, from families to corporate clients, can enjoy best-in-class mobile services anywhere in Japan.

Website
Rakuten Mobile official site

Notes
*1 The 7 million subscribers number includes Rakuten Saikyo Plan, Rakuten Saikyo Plan Business, Rakuten Turbo subscribers and Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) service customers (approx. 200,000 lines) as of June 16, 2024. The number of subscribers in this press release does not include BCP customers. (BCP is the B2B pricing plan for Business Continuity Plan purposes.)
*2 From Friday, July 1, 2022, the service was updated from Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI, which was available for a monthly fee of 0 yen to 2,980 yen (3,278 yen including tax), to Rakuten UN-LIMIT VII (now the Rakuten Saikyo Plan), which is available for a monthly fee of 980 yen (1,078 yen including tax) to 2,980 yen (3,278 yen including tax) and includes benefits for Rakuten Group services such as NBA Rakuten.
*3 The three-month period from March to May 2024 saw the largest-ever net increase in mobile carrier service subscribers, including Rakuten Turbo subscribers but excluding BCP customers, Rakuten Saikyo Plan Business, and MVNE customers.
*4 Points awarded every month until the month before the customer turns 13 years old. 440 Rakuten Points are awarded if the monthly data usage is 3 GB or less. If monthly data usage exceeds 3 GB, 110 Rakuten Points are awarded.
*5 Rakuten Saikyo Plan (Data Type) and Apple Watch Family Sharing customers are not eligible for this program.
*6 The Saikyo Kids Program is applicable until the month prior to the month of the 13^th birthday. In conjunction with the launch of the Saikyo Kids Program, the eligibility age for the Saikyo Youth Program is now 13 to 22 years of age. When a customer using the Saikyo Kids Program turns 13 years old, the Saikyo Youth Program will be automatically applied. The Saikyo Kids Program will be automatically applied to customers under 12 years old who are using the Saikyo Youth Program. For more details on the Saikyo Youth Program visit the official site: https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/fee/youth/en/
*7 For customers with multiple lines, only one line is eligible for this program.
*8 The Rakuten Points awarded are limited time points. Monthly points are awarded around the end of the month after the next month following the one in which the customer’s entry is confirmed from the official program page.
*9 Information based on Opensignal's Japan Mobile Network Experience Report, published in April 2024, using data from December 1, 2023 to February 28, 2024. The full report is available on the Opensignal website:
https://www.opensignal.com/reports/2024/04/japan/mobile-network-experience
*10 Press Release: Rakuten Mobile Commences Radio Frequency Testing for 700 MHz "Platinum Band" (April 30, 2024)
https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/press/2024/0430_01/

*Product names and service names published in this press release are generally trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Trademarks such as ^TM and ® may be omitted when trademarks are listed in this press release.