KDDI to End Roaming for Rakuten Mobile in September
Photo: ITmedia
Quick answer
KDDI will discontinue 4G LTE roaming for Rakuten Mobile by September 30, with rural areas retaining temporary support. The success of Rakuten’s AST satellite project will be critical for expanding its network coverage.
Japan’s telecom giant KDDI has announced it will stop providing 4G LTE roaming services for Rakuten Mobile, effective September 30. The decision aligns with Rakuten’s progress in deploying its own infrastructure, which now covers major urban areas.
In rural and remote regions of Japan, where Rakuten Mobile’s coverage remains limited, KDDI will temporarily continue offering roaming services to new subscribers. This interim measure ensures user support until Rakuten’s network is fully deployed.
A key factor in Rakuten Mobile’s future coverage expansion could be its AST (Advanced Satellite Technology) project. This satellite-based solution, utilizing low-orbit satellites, aims to deliver connectivity in areas where ground-based base stations are impractical. The success of AST will be critical for Rakuten’s competitiveness in the Japanese market.
Common questions
- Why is KDDI ending roaming for Rakuten Mobile?
- KDDI is terminating roaming services as Rakuten Mobile expands its own infrastructure. Temporary roaming will still be available in rural areas for new subscribers.
- What is the AST project, and how does it relate to Rakuten Mobile?
- AST is a satellite-based connectivity solution using low-orbit satellites, which could help Rakuten Mobile extend coverage, particularly in remote regions.
- How will the end of roaming affect Rakuten Mobile users?
- Urban users won’t notice changes due to Rakuten’s growing network. Rural users will temporarily retain roaming, but long-term coverage depends on the AST project’s success.
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