KDDI and Rakuten Mobile adjust roaming agreement terms

KDDI and Rakuten Mobile are navigating a transition regarding their network roaming agreement. KDDI President Hiroji Matsuda indicated that current roaming contracts are set to end in September, signaling a move toward fair competition in urban infrastructure quality. KDDI noted that while roaming was originally intended to supplement Rakuten's coverage, the company aims to reduce roaming in areas where Rakuten has established its own network to manage traffic loads.

Rakuten Group CEO Hiroshi Mikitani clarified that roaming will continue after October in areas where Rakuten Mobile still requires coverage. While KDDI emphasizes the termination of existing agreements, the two companies appear to be aligned on a reduction strategy: roaming will be scaled back in overlapping urban areas but maintained in rural or mountainous regions where Rakuten's self-built infrastructure is not yet sufficient.