Rakuten Mobile, a global leading cloud-native AI intelligent mobile network operator, announced the selection of Cisco, Nokia and F5 as partners for the deployment of its 5G Standalone (SA) mobile network.
The strategic technology partnerships with Cisco, Nokia and F5 will significantly enhance Rakuten Mobile’s network capabilities, simplify operations through AI-driven systems, and drive innovation for enhanced consumer and enterprises mobile services across Japan.
Since its launch of full-scale commercial mobile carrier services in 2019, Rakuten Mobile has been transforming the global telecommunications landscape with affordable, high-quality mobile services powered through cloud-native technology and Open RAN standards.
"Rakuten Mobile disrupted the industry in 2019 with the world's first end-to-end cloud-native, virtualized mobile network built on Open RAN. Today, we're accelerating our evolution towards fully autonomous network operations," said Sharad Sriwastawa, co-CEO and CTO of Rakuten Mobile. "Through the power of 5G, AI, and strategic partnerships with leading innovators like Cisco, Nokia, and F5, we are empowering customers in Japan with state-of-the-art, secure, and sustainable mobile connectivity. We are setting a new global benchmark for intelligent, cloud-native mobile networks, meeting the dynamic needs of both consumers and enterprises and solidifying our position as a leading global innovator."
Rakuten Mobile and partners to propel Next-Generation 5G mobile network services in Japan
As demand for faster, more reliable, and secure mobile connectivity grows, Rakuten Mobile is committed to providing unparalleled services through state-of-the-art connectivity services. To maintain its competitive edge and deliver seamless, modern digital experiences, Rakuten Mobile sought out best in class partners to deliver seamless 5G core network services for its mobile subscribers in Japan.
Cisco
Rakuten Mobile will deploy Cisco’s mobile Packet Core Portfolio as the foundation for the next phase of its network services evolution in Japan. The Cisco mobile Packet Core will enable Rakuten Mobile to seamlessly deploy 5G services, streamline its operations with its AI-driven systems, improve network performance, and offer new, innovative services. This transformation is expected to significantly enhance user experience by providing faster speeds, greater reliability, and expanded coverage. Cisco’s secure global connectivity enhances the Cisco mobile Packet Core technology by delivering networks that are resilient and secure, establishing a critical foundation for AI innovation, and enabling service providers to become key players in the AI value chain.
“By combining Cisco's secure global connectivity technology and 5G mobile Packet Core software with Rakuten Mobile's revolutionary network, we aim to redefine the mobile landscape in Japan and set a new standard for connectivity, quality and innovation," said Masum Mir, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Provider Mobility at Cisco. "Together, we enhance operational efficiency and user experience, and position Rakuten Mobile to take the lead in the delivery of enhanced services with 5G Advanced and beyond in Japan.”
Nokia
Nokia will provide Rakuten Mobile with cloud-native network functions (CNFs) for its 5G SA network — including authentication, user data management, signaling, analytics and IMS voice — strengthening the network's reliability and security. Enabled by multi-cloud capabilities, Nokia CNFs will be deployed on Rakuten Symphony's Cloud-Native Platform and Cloud-Native Storage (CNP, CNS), offering Rakuten Mobile the operational benefits of a cloud infrastructure shared with its other applications.
Lifecycle operations are automated through Nokia's cloud operations management tools, designed for distributed, multi-tenant, multi-vendor cloud infrastructures to optimize and manage platform resource usage.
“Nokia’s expertise in 5G technology, coupled with our portfolio of industry-leading solutions, will enable Rakuten Mobile to deliver customized 5G services,” said Henrique Vale, vice president, Cloud and Network Services APAC market leader, Nokia. “This groundbreaking deployment illustrates how Nokia makes it easy for customers to reliably and securely use our products on the cloud CaaS platform of their choice.”
F5
Rakuten Mobile is also partnering with F5 to enhance the security and scalability of its 5G SA core network. This collaboration is also an industry-first showcase of F5’s BIG-IP Next Cloud Native-Network Functions for its Gi/N6 LAN services integrated into the Cisco mobile Packet Core portfolio.
F5 has been proud partner for Rakuten Mobile since the launch of its commercial cloud-native mobile network services in 2019. Today, F5’s updated API security and traffic management capabilities, and cloud-native network functions (CNFs) are crucial for ensuring the reliability and performance of the Rakuten Mobile 5G SA network core to deliver a seamless experience to mobile subscribers in Japan. These CNFs were refactored for flexibility and scale from F5’s trusted network functions such as edge firewall and DDoS.
Ahmed Guetari, VP, Service Provider Business at F5 said, "F5 is proud to partner with Rakuten Mobile, our first global customer to deploy F5’s BIG-IP CNFs supporting Gi/N6 LAN functions. This collaboration underscores the accelerating demand for next-generation network architectures, as organizations increasingly prioritize agility, scalability, and experience-first connectivity to enable secure and resilient 5G services. Purpose-built from the ground up, our cloud-native functions are tailored to meet the distinct challenges of modern mobile networks. We are confident that this partnership will not only fuel continued innovation but also unlock new opportunities across the industry.”
The strategic technology partnerships with Cisco, Nokia and F5 will enable Rakuten Mobile to deliver a superior mobile experience to its customers, characterized by improved network performance and reliability, enhanced security and scalability, faster speeds, expanded coverage, and innovative 5G services.
