Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket

Weltweite Hauptverkaufstage in 2021

Von Rakuten Advertising | 25 January 2021 | EVENTS

Die Verbreitung des E-Commerce nimmt weltweit zu. Damit ist auch die Anzahl der Hauptverkaufstage, an denen Marken sich beteiligen können, rasant gestiegen. Früher haben sich Hauptverkaufstage um Feiertage wie Thanksgiving, Weihnachten oder etwa dem Valentinstag gedreht. Doch mit der stetigen Ausweitung des E-Commerce und dank der Globalisierung, gibt es nun Ereignisse wie den Single-Day und Winterschlussverkäufe, die das Marketing und deren Werbepläne verändert haben.

Egal ob religiöse Feste, Feiertage oder besondere kommerzielle Termine: Marken und Publisher sollten sich über die verschiedenen Hauptverkaufstage im Jahr, zu denen ihre Zielgruppen besonders kauflustig sind, bewusst sein. Um Sie bei der Planung für 2021 zu unterstützen, haben wir eine Liste der wichtigsten Termine auf der ganzen Welt zusammengestellt.

https://blog.rakutenadvertising.com/de-de/.../hauptverkaufstage-2021/
 

Open RAN solutions, like those from Altiostar, for more freedom of choice, standardization and a decoupling of hardware and software

The relay race of cloud migration is continuing to evolve. Network function virtualization (NFV) kicked this race off, by lowering costs by moving from an appliance-based network to software-based equivalents. For the next leg of the race we see cloud-native architectures and containers increase efficiency, performance, resiliency, security and agility. While many service providers continue to see great success with virtual machines (VMs), most are now working to deploy containers on bare metal, without the added layer of virtualization, to better compete in the marketplace.

As these technologies improve, the radio access network (RAN) is also undergoing its own evolution. Service providers are scaling their networks to support increased demand and operators are looking towards disaggregation of the RAN via vendor Open RAN solutions, like those from Altiostar, for more freedom of choice, standardization and a decoupling of hardware and software.

Virtualizing and disaggregating RANs give communication service providers (CSPs) the freedom to work with new suppliers, boost innovation and differentiation and utilize new operating models. Network operators can also reduce their investment while lowering operating expenses (OpEx), as well as increasing flexibility and automation. To help aid this progress, Red Hat and Altiostar have expanded our work together so that virtualized and containerized RAN can be deployed with infrastructure, application and service automation. Altiostar has helped Red Hat develop the necessary components for running virtualized and containerized RAN and creating the necessary automation framework to support commercial deployment and reduce OpEx for operators. This collaboration delivers:

? The introduction of our infrastructure and workload automation framework for a container-based RAN reference architecture that allows a consistent approach to a disaggregated RAN - for both our customer and partner ecosystem

? Full RAN functionality using cloud-native network functions (CNF) infrastructure from Red Hat and Open vRAN software from Altiostar

? Cooperation on certification, integration and interoperability of Altiostar?s 4G and 5G based virtualized RAN (vRAN) and cloud RAN (cRAN) products with Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Red Hat OpenShift

https://www.redhat.com/en/blog/...uture-ran?sc_cid=701f2000001ORkmAAG  

Components can be deployed modularly via Open RAN

Open RAN ensures significantly more manufacturer diversity in the access network

In the future, the innovative technological approach of Open RAN will offer significantly greater flexibility in the selection of manufacturers. Currently, the radio access networks of German mobile network operators are characterized by a closed architecture that is dependent on a single manufacturer. Hardware and software components, spare parts and technology updates usually come from one and the same manufacturer. As a rule, the technology of leading manufacturers cannot be combined. Telefónica Deutschland / O2, like the other German network operators, has therefore been pursuing a strategy for years that relies mainly on two suppliers. Their technology is used to build the radio access network in different areas of the country in each case. Open RAN breaks up this vendor dependency in the radio access network. Providers such as Telefónica / O2 will therefore be able to use hardware and software freely available on the market as the basis for building their base stations. Open RAN is more software-based, which will significantly simplify and accelerate base station upgrades. Less fixed infrastructure will need to be replaced or exchanged, as updating the software will largely suffice. All of Open RAN's components will be modular and flexible. The best possible components can therefore be combined with each other. This can lead to cost savings of up to 30 percent in the radio access network.

In the city of Landsberg am Lech, Telefónica Deutschland / O2 has currently connected one base station to the Open RAN, others are prepared and will follow soon. In this way, O2 is integrating more and more customers into the pilot project step by step. The way in which customers use the network will in turn enable Telefónica engineers to draw conclusions about further optimization possibilities for the Open RAN technology.

The Japanese manufacturer NEC is one of the companies involved in the global development of Open RAN. Due to its extensive Open RAN expertise, Telefónica / O2 has chosen NEC as a partner for the pilot project in the O2 network in the Landsberg area. NEC will coordinate the setup and operation of the Open RAN at the Landsberg cellular sites, as well as combine the individual hardware assemblies and software from other participating companies such as Dell, Intel, Altiostar, Xilinx, Red Hat, GigaTera and Supermicro into a complete system.

https://www.telefonica.de/news/...ith-open-ran-in-live-operation.html  

Most important facts to Rakuten Mobile?s Unlimit VI plan

In an online briefing today (29 January), Mikitani explained Rakuten Mobile found 66 per cent use less than 5GB of data per month.

Its Unlimit VI plan is free for customers using up to 1GB a month, JPY980 ($9.34) for 1GB to 3GB; JPY1,980 for up to 20GB; and JPY2,980 for more than 20GB.

He said 5G service is available for no extra charge and unlimited domestic calls are free on- and off-net.

Existing customers will automatically be upgraded to the new plan on 1 April, with fees applied after a year-long offer expires.

So far, 2.2 million users have applied for Rakuten Mobile?s free unlimited offer, which is open to the first 3 million applicants, Mikitani said.

Since launching commercial services in April 2020, the operator has deployed 11,500 base stations nationwide, giving it 73.5 per cent population coverage, with the aim to hit 96 per cent around the middle of the year, when ?most of our services will be provided by our own network?.

https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/...s-with-fresh-plan  

Timing for Rakuten?s mobile carrier business to turn a profit probably remains unchanged

?When we came up with our unlimited plan at first, we were rather targeting heavy internet and smartphone users? with a simple offer, said Hiroshi Mikitani, who heads the e-commerce giant Rakuten Inc., which made its foray into the market as a fourth carrier last spring.

But with data showing that more than 60% of smartphone users actually use 5GB or less monthly, Mikitani says he felt the need to cater to light users as well.

?We need to provide a single plan for both heavy and light users. This is Rakuten?s mission.?
By effectively cutting the price, Rakuten will have to acquire more users to make a profit.
Mikitani says he expects the new pricing will attract new users and keep existing subscribers happy, adding that the timing for Rakuten?s mobile carrier business to turn a profit probably remains unchanged.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/01/29/...ten-cuts-mobile-fees/  

Under its Make in India strategy, Airtel is planning to bring a large ecosystem of partners including US?s Mavenir, Xilinx and Altiostar (part owned by Japan?s Rakuten), Japan?s NEC and Taiwan?s Sercom that will help the telco develop equipment using OpenRAN technology. In addition, its existing traditional partner Ericsson and Nokia have agreed to provide only locally-made 5G gear to the telco.


Read more at:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/...p;utm_campaign=cppst
 

Price War is no problem for Rakuten

While it may seem counterintuitive to lower prices when the company is under intense pressure to pay for the costs of building out its new greenfield network, apparently Rakuten Mobile has determined that garnering more subs is the top priority.

Mikitani declined to answer a question about how many subscribers the mobile business would need to break even. But he did indicate that Rakuten Mobile had an advantage because it?s associated with Rakuten?s gigantic online retail business.

?I find Rakuten Mobile subscribers tend to use more, other Rakuten services,? said Mikitani. ?Mobile service in itself is not so lucrative, other carriers have discovered. But we already have peripheral services. This is one reason we can provide such aggressive prices.?

The other providers in Japan ? NTT Docomo, SoftBank and KDDI ? are also under pressure to decrease prices, not only to try and prevent Rakuten from getting their subscribers, but also because the government under new Japanese Prime Minister Roshihide Suga wants lower prices.

?The expectation of an umbrella effect, in which players with higher market share have more to lose when engaging in a price war, and will therefore allow a small competitor to underprice for market share without penalty, might have been Rakuten?s hope when it introduced unlimited data plans at yen 2,980, but it hasn?t worked out as planned,? wrote the Moffett Nathanson analysts. ?The industry quickly responded to the aggressive approach with its own aggressive price cuts.?

https://www.fiercewireless.com/operators/...ets-up-wireless-price-war
 

Ich gehe nicht davon aus, dass die Aussage des Moffett Nathanson-Analysten zutrifft - bei dem zweiten Schritt wird der Umbrella-Effekt auswirken und die drei Konkurrenten werden nicht in vollem Umfang mitziehen, was sie ja auch beim ersten schon nicht voll (siehe Freijahr von Rakuten) getan haben.  Denn sie haben nun einmal mehr zu verlieren als Rakuten, haben erheblich höhere Kosten und müssen auch ihre Abschreibungen verdienen, wenn sie keine riesigen Verluste machen wollen.

Und einen Wettbewerb bis zum Wiederverdrängen des vierten Wettbewerbers ist bei Rakuten meines Erachtens  aufgrund seiner finanziellen Ressourcen nicht möglich und würde von der japanischen Regierung auch nicht geduldet werden. Auf längere Sicht ist m.E. nicht aufzuhalten, dass sich Rakuten als vierter Anbieter (wie von der Regierung gewünscht) 10% des Marktes schnappt und dann längst damit mit seinem Mobile-Bereich in der Gewinnzone ist und dazu kommen noch Synergie-Effekte.

Probleme bereitet hier momentan Covid: Denn wer wechselt schon in derartigen unsicheren Zeiten gerne seinen Telefonanbieter, von dem in diesen Zeiten so viel abhängt?

Spekulativer ist allerdings, ob Rakuten Mobile die internationale Vermarktung seiner OPEN RAN-Fähigkeiten in gewünschtem gelingt, aber zumindest seiner Mehrheitsbeteiligung Altiostar und seiner 100%igen Tochter Innoeye dürfte das m.E. gelingen.
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxXrPAJVQiA

Untertitel wählen - und dort können in einem Untermenü auch unzählige Sprachen eingestellt werden, wobei die deutsche Übersetzung nicht sehr gut ist, sodass man u.U. lieber die englische wählen sollte.
 

Mikitani said the company will also start a "space mobile" project to provide wireless communications across Japan via satellite, which would not be subject to disruptions caused by natural disasters, as early as 2023.

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210129/p2g/00m/0bu/081000c
 

AST CEO Avellan Wants to Go Where No Broadband Has Been Before

January 13, 2021

AST CEO Abel Avellan

By Jarrett Banks

AST SpaceMobile, which is developing a space-based cellular broadband network, is going public through a merger with New Providence Acquisition Corp., a SPAC. The combined company will be valued at $1.4 billion including debt and is expected to close soon as the first quarter of this year.
Midland, Texas-based AST has raised $232 million from strategic partners including Vodafone Group Plc, Japanese online retailer Rakuten Inc., American Tower Corp. and UBS Group AG?s hedge fund arm UBS O?Connor.

IPO Edge interviewed AST CEO Abel Avellan to discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...-avellan-wants-where-133119144.html

 

Rakuten TV launches CNN International and Euronews channels

By Rakuten Advertising | January 26, 2021

Rakuten Advertising and Rakuten TV are excited to announce the launch of CNN International news channel on Samsung TV Plus in Germany and the UK. The news follows the Euronews launch in June 2020, the first live channel platform on Rakuten TV. The launches move to enrich the platforms content offering across its advertising-video-on-demand (AVOD) service.

The expansion of Rakuten TV?s content offering for Samsung TV Plus and Euronews is a further step in a disruptive strategy to enhance the news dedicated offering on the free ad-supported section, that includes themed-channels with Hollywood movies, kids? content and exclusive and original content.
Samsung TV Plus, sits within Rakuten Advertising?s unified portfolio where advertisers can buy media across various channels, including the Viber messaging app and Viki video-streaming service alongside Rakuten TV. Through this single point of access, brands can develop focused, strategic campaigns based on Rakuten Advertising?s rich consumer insights driven by an unrivalled depth of audience, media, and content network data.

https://blog.rakutenadvertising.com/en-uk/news/...nches-new-channels/
 

Shifts in consumer behavior were as dramatic as we?ve ever seen them in 2020, but one thing has remained constant: customer centricity should be core to any retail campaign. As retailers are now forced to throw their historical plans out the window, they'll need to start adapting to what customers are looking for, how they prefer to shop, and where they choose to transact in order to overcome their competition.

Affiliate marketing will be key to retailers in the coming year, as the channel allows for enhanced personalization. For example, some affiliate publishers, such as influencers and content sites, have the ability to focus on a specific product, providing subject matter expertise and targeted insight into a brand?s product space. Similarly, retailers can work with loyalty and offer sites to use customer signals when building audience segments for a more personalized experience.

Unpredictability remains as the overarching theme of retail in 2021. With these three predictions, retailers can start building out flexible plans to meet consumer needs, satisfy inventory demands, and achieve their business goals.

https://www.mytotalretail.com/article/...or-retail-marketers-in-2021/
 

By Lior Hada

JANUARY 22, 2021

Online privacy is an issue that has come to many people?s attention with the recent announcement by WhatsApp that it would change its privacy policy in a way that negatively impacts its users and compromises their privacy.

The discussion around these changes has led millions of people around the world to look for a messaging app to be their new home ? and many of them have come to Viber.

One of the biggest challenges people are facing as they?ve arrived at a new messaging app is transferring group chats from WhatsApp. However, moving chats to Viber only takes a few steps.

Here is a step-by-step guide:

https://www.viber.com/en/blog/2021-01-22/transferring-chats-to-viber/  

Open RAN: discover 5 ways disaggregation will transform mobile networks in 2021

By Shabbir Bagasrawala 5 days ago

Shabbir Bagasrawala, head of the go-to-market team at Altiostar, reveals five ways that open RAN will transform mobile networks over the next 12 months.

2020 was a year of great growth for open radio access network (open RAN) adoption. The year saw the debut of the very first end-to-end open RAN mobile network in a brand new, network build-out by Rakuten in Japan. The mobile world was waiting with bated breath for this launch, due to the fact that with this network the industry would see the advent of a truly multi-vendor virtualized RAN (vRAN) nationwide network, based on cloud technologies, and deployed at scale.

A year has passed since the launch. In that time, millions of Japanese subscribers have connected via cell towers running this new solution, giving a real-world trial. The technology worked as promised. And the technology?s supporters now have real-world data to amplify their promises of open RAN. This network first became the beacon of hope for new innovation in the mobile networking industry, and put this solution very much within the grasp of mobile network operators (MNOs) in the rest of the world.

Service providers, analysts, incumbent vendors and, notably, governments joined the discussion on the pros and cons of open RAN. Groups of companies working together in various coalitions took sides, and made the case for the opportunities this new technology would bring. Several incumbent vendors, including Nokia and Samsung, jumped on the bandwagon, sensing the momentum and the clamor.

So where do we go from here in 2021? Here is what we believe will happen in the next coming year.

https://www.5gradar.com/features/...transform-mobile-networks-in-2021  

The Rakuten launch happened in early 2020. With more than a year of this network now being deployed, examined and studied, mobile operators have gathered a lot of information. 2020 saw a surge in trials and PoCs as well as RFIs, RFPs and RFQs asking for open RAN and cloud-based network technologies. From TCO models, workshops, technology discussions to actual real world commercial trials, we at Altiostar and others in the industry ran the gamut of engagement with mobile operators.

In 2021, we believe many operators will now go to the next level of engagement with large scale commercial deployments. For greenfield operators like Dish, this engagement becomes an attractive proposition, since they have the opportunity to build this innovation right out of the door. However, other service providers also have been spending time in the open RAN community, to help determine the best way to introduce this technology into their networks. In fact, these brownfield operators are the pragmatists who want to see increased competition in the consolidated RAN supplier space and are encouraging open RAN as a way to change this dynamic.

Source: like last posting  

Erhöhen Sie Ihre Sichtbarkeit mit den Medienmarken von Rakuten Advertising

Von Rakuten Advertising | 14 January 2021 | NEWS

Die Von Rakuten geführten und betriebenen Medienmarken ermöglichen es Agenturen und Marken, einzigartige Zielgruppen über leistungsstarke Plattformen zu erreichen, um relevante Beziehungen und Werbeerfahrungen zu schaffen. Marken, die ausschließlich über Rakuten Advertisingerhältlich sind, können die Verbraucher sowohl auf ihren lokalen Märkten als auch weltweit engagieren.
In den letzten zwölf Monaten hat der E-Commerce-Sektor einen enormen Sprung nach vorn gemacht und mehr Wettbewerb für Marken geschaffen, die ihre Zielgruppe im Internet erreichen wollen. Die Medienlösungen von Rakuten Advertising bieten Inserenten die Möglichkeit, mit Verbrauchern in Kontakt zu treten, die manchmal schwer zu erreichen sind, wo sie einkaufen, spielen, lesen, chatten oder Videos ansehen.

Dank des Rakuten-Ökosystems können Werbekunden gesehen werden, Verkehr erzeugen, den Umsatz beeinflussen und ihre Marke entwickeln.

Hier ist, wie:

Rakuten Frankreich: Berühren Sie treue Internetnutzer, die regelmäßig auf einer verantwortungsvollen Plattform konsumieren

In einer Studie über das Verbraucherverhalten zum Jahresende haben 42% der weltweiten und 35% der französischen Verbraucher erklärt, dass sie über Marketplaces einkaufen würden, was die anhaltende Popularität und das Vertrauen der Verbraucher in diese Plattformen belegt.
Rakuten France ist der drittgrößte B2C und C2C Marketplace mit 11,2 Millionen einzigartigen Besuchern jeden Monat (Nielsen) und das erste Treueprogramm im Bereich des E-Commerce in Frankreich. Dank der Stärke dieses Marketplaces, seines täglich mehr als aktiven Publikums und der verschiedenen verfügbaren Werbeformate können Marken mit treuen französischen Verbrauchern interagieren und sie nachhaltig binden. Darüber hinaus können sich die Marken gezielt auf Bevölkerungssegmente konzentrieren, die auf den Navigations-, Verhaltens-, Kontext- und Transaktionsdaten der Plattform basieren.

Die Zusammenarbeit mit Rakuten Frankreich bedeutet, mit einem Pionier in der Welt des E-Commerce zu arbeiten, der eine einzigartige Position auf dem Markt innehat, verantwortungsbewusste Einkäufe fördert und kleine und große Händler mit Tausenden von Verbrauchern verbindet.

https://blog.rakutenadvertising.com/fr-fr/news/...akuten-advertising/

 

Lunar New Year 2021: New Year, New Partnerships

By Rakuten Advertising | January 27, 2021 | INSIGHTS

For many, e-commerce has become a part of everyday life. 46% of Asia-Pacific (APAC) consumers shopped online more frequently during stay-at-home restrictions, with strong growth seen in verticals such as Groceries & Household and Food Delivery services.

In 2021, Lunar New Year will come at a time where consumers are more comfortable shopping online than ever. Data from the Rakuten Advertising Affiliate Network shows an average uplift in site traffic by 51% year-over-year (YoY) across multiple categories in the week leading up to the 2020 Lunar New Year as compared to the year prior ? a pre-pandemic world.

Unsurprisingly, Travel saw a 25% decline in clicks YoY in the week leading up to Lunar New year last year. Our network data shows APAC consumers have shifted their funds across to other verticals such as Apparel & Accessories and Education, with purchases in these categories rising by 41% and 38% YoY respectively.
Lingerie & Intimates, which includes loungewear and sleepwear, also experienced a substantial increase of 528% in clicks and 30% in orders YoY. Consumers were also browsing for Footwear as clicks soared by 330%. Food & Drink saw the largest jump YoY, with 80% increase in orders as consumers discover new ways to access everyday essentials while they stay home.

Sub-Network and Coupons & Voucher publishers on the rise

APAC consumers? preference for publisher sites has also changed from 2019 to 2020. Sub-Networks, which consist mainly of content creators and influencers, drove the largest number of clicks during this period as consumers spent more time indoors and screen time heightened. This publisher model experienced a growth of 193% in clicks and 66% in orders YoY leading up to Lunar New Year.

Loyalty & Rewards sites remain the top publisher model driving the largest number of clicks and orders during this time. Coupon & Voucher sites also experienced a 48% growth in orders YoY.

With many types of affiliate publishers growing at a rapid pace, it?s more important than ever for brands to diversify their publisher portfolio and forge new partnerships. Advertisers can use historical performance data and optimise their affiliate program based on results.

https://blog.rakutenadvertising.com/en-au/...hts/lunar-new-year-2021/  

Industry Insider webinar with Rakuten Advertising: AVOD - The Time is Now!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up3sCnJMDQA
 

Wo steht der Kurs ???

Wieder sattes ROT heute.

Nur runter mit dem Trödelhändler der sich an jeder Pommesbude beteiligt.  

WhatsApp removed respect for your privacy and not-sharing with Facebook

Up until the January 4, 2021 update, WhatsApp's terms of agreement stated the following ? "Respect for your privacy is coded into our DNA. Since we started WhatsApp, we've aspired to build our Services with a set of strong privacy principles in mind."

"However, your WhatsApp messages will not be shared on Facebook for others to see. In fact, Facebook will not use your WhatsApp messages for any purpose other than to assist us in operating and providing our Services."

Not surprisingly, these two statements have been removed.

In stark contrast with WhatsApp's slippery slope on data privacy, Viber has led by example, implementing core features to ensure user data is safe and secure. Those features include ? end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default for free personal calls and chats, no special settings required. It's clear and simple ? No one can access the user calls and chats except the participants, not even Viber.

Viber does not store delivered messages, and Cloud backup is off by default. Users that would like to back up their chats can choose to activate cloud backup, but Viber doesn't keep any copy of users' messages and calls. Viber offers top-notch screen privacy, allowing users to send self-destructing messages within a chat, and entire conversations can be hidden and only visible using a pin code. Users' data are never shared with Facebook. Viber has cut all business ties with Facebook. Thus, users' information (phone numbers and personal data) will never be shared with Facebook.

https://tbsnews.net/tech/...-ceo-calls-users-seek-alternatives-185707  

Rakuten?s plan is some 1,000 yen cheaper than the 20GB plans to be offered from March by the country's three major mobile carriers, including NTT Docomo Inc.

Rakuten Mobile to Offer 20GB Plan for 1,980 Yen
Tokyo, Jan. 29 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Rakuten Mobile Inc. said Friday that it will launch a new mobile phone rate plan in April to allow subscribers to use up to 20 gigabytes of data per month for 1,980 yen.

The plan is some 1,000 yen cheaper than the 20GB plans to be offered from March by the country's three major mobile carriers, including NTT Docomo Inc.

https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2021012901297  

Rakuten Securities Bullion Hong Kong Limited (?Rakuten Securities Bullion?) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rakuten Securities, Inc. (*) Rakuten Securities, Inc., one of the major online brokers in Japan, founded in 1999, is a subsidiary of Rakuten, Inc. (TOKYO: 4755).

https://bullion.rakuten.com.hk/en/promotions/welcome-offer#
 

On October 28, 2020 the Rakuten Viber company announced an exit in financial technical-services and starts the Chatbot Payments function. Now users of Viber will be able to use the application for purchase of goods and services, making payments via Google Pay or other payment system, available on the device.

Viber decided not to be limited to functions of the messenger, and to build the service platform satisfying to all needs of modern users for functionality and security. Ukraine will become the first country where function will be started, and at the beginning of 2021 Viber is going to start payments and in other markets, including in Russia.

https://tadviser.com/index.php/..._of_instant_exchange_of_the_message
 

https://www.financemagnates.com/forex/brokers/...results-for-fy-2020/