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Sudhakar Pandey, head of RAN at Rakuten Mobile, told RCR Wireless News that the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen network performance over the next two years
In sum – what to know:
O-RAN expansion – Rakuten Mobile is commercially deploying 1Finity’s O-RAN-compliant radios to support 5G Sub6 network growth and further expand its cloud-native Open RAN architecture.
Efficiency gains – The operator said the radios improve energy efficiency, simplify operations, and reduce total cost of ownership while maintaining flexibility through open interfaces.
Next growth phase – Following the milestone of 10 million subscribers, Rakuten is focusing on AI-driven automation, intelligent RAN optimization, and 5G-Advanced capabilities to support rising traffic demand.
Japanese operator Rakuten Mobile is accelerating the expansion of its Open RAN (O-RAN) network through the commercial deployment of 1Finity radio units, as the carrier focuses on increasing network capacity, improving efficiency, and preparing for future 5G-Advanced services. The deployment follows a previous agreement signed between Rakuten Mobile and Fujitsu’s 1Finity and supports the operator’s ongoing rollout of its 5G Sub6 (3.7 GHz) network.
According to 1Finity, the deployment includes its O-RAN-compliant 44R21 radio units, which combine high transmission power with a compact and lightweight design. The company said the radios help reduce installation space requirements and lower site lease costs while integrating with Rakuten Symphony’s virtualized centralized and distributed units (vCU/DU) as well as Rakuten Mobile’s network management platform.
While Rakuten Mobile did not disclose specific coverage targets associated with the deployment, the operator said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen network performance over the next two years. “While we don’t disclose the exact strategy, the overall plan is to improve coverage and capacity enhancements over the next 12–24 months,” Sudhakar Pandey, head of RAN at Rakuten Mobile, told RCR Wireless News.
“We will continue strategic network expansion and densification in high-demand areas while increasing capacity, improving energy efficiency, and leveraging AI-driven automation to deliver a better 5G experience,” the executive added.
Rakuten Mobile also highlighted the operational benefits it expects from the latest generation of O-RAN equipment. “1Finity’s O-RAN-compliant radios enhance our cloud-native architecture by improving energy efficiency, simplifying operations, and reducing total cost of ownership.Their open interfaces also give us greater flexibility to integrate best-in-class technologies and accelerate innovation,” Pandey said.
The executive also said that the recent deployment comes as Rakuten Mobile recently surpassed 10 million mobile subscribers, a milestone that the company sees as marking a new phase in its network evolution.
“Our roadmap focuses on scaling capacity through AI-driven automation, intelligent RAN optimization, and 5G-Advanced capabilities, enabling a more autonomous, efficient, and high-performing network,” the executive added.
Rakuten Mobile launched commercial mobile services in Japan in 2019 and has become one of the industry’s highest-profile Open RAN operators. Last year, Rakuten Mobile had named Cisco, Nokia, and F5 as its lead technology partners for the deployment of its 5G Standalone (SA) network. The Japanese company noted that these alliances will “significantly enhance its network capabilities, simplify operations through AI-driven systems, and drive innovation” across Japan.
