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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [BUSINESS]
3 clusters · 15 sources · 28 days · First seen · Last updated
Rakuten Mobile service and network adjustments
Overview
Rakuten Mobile has announced several operational changes regarding its service requirements and network infrastructure.
In early September, the company announced it would end the ability to use services without a linked Rakuten ID by November 30. Users failing to upgrade to a Rakuten Member account or complete a contract transfer by this deadline face automatic contract cancellation and loss of phone numbers.
Additionally, Rakuten Mobile is adjusting its roaming agreement with KDDI (au). Starting in October 2026, KDDI will scale back its au network roaming services for Rakuten Mobile. KDDI stated that the roaming agreement was a “temporary measure intended to support Rakuten Mobile while the latter built out its proprietary physical base station network.”
As Rakuten Mobile expands its own footprint, KDDI is systematically winding down network-sharing provisions. An interactive coverage map released by KDDI shows that roaming coverage zones in major urban centers—including the Tokyo metropolitan area, Osaka, Kyoto, and Fukuoka—will contract significantly in certain districts. These reductions are most notable in densely populated commercial and residential sectors where Rakuten Mobile has successfully deployed its own independent infrastructure.
Entities
Timeline
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[BUSINESS] 3 sourcesKDDI to reduce au network roaming services for Rakuten Mobile
KDDI is reducing au network roaming services for Rakuten Mobile starting October 2026, as Rakuten expands its own infrastructure in major Japanese urban centers like Tokyo and Osaka.
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[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesRakuten Mobile announces changes to KDDI roaming coverage
Rakuten Mobile announced that it will continue KDDI roaming in areas with insufficient coverage while scaling back roaming in areas where its own network is sufficient, effective from October.
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[BUSINESS] 10 sourcesRakuten Mobile to end non-ID service amid Super SALE launch
Rakuten Mobile will terminate non-linked Rakuten ID service on November 30, while Rakuten launches its Super SALE on September 4 with major discounts and point rewards.
Sources
bg-mania.jp · dxmagazine.jp · ebook.itmedia.co.jp · gapsis.jp · garumax.com · japan.cnet.com · jugem.jp · mobareco.jp · news.mynavi.jp · orefolder.jp · prtimes.jp · roomie.jp · sportsmania.jp · weekly.ascii.jp · world-today-journal.com
This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history