Rakuten plans to enter Japan's mobile phone market in October by rolling out a new 4G-enabled network before adding 5G capabilities to it.
5G, so called because it's the fifth generation of mobile internet, promises much faster network speeds that can allow data-heavy content like ultra-high-definition video to rapidly load on devices.
At the same time, the standard's low latency means it takes less time for one gadget to talk to another and information can be delivered almost instantly — helpful for the likes of driverless cars. Hiroshi Mikitani, Rakuten's CEO and chairman, said the company does not have to create a brand new network to roll out 5G services.
"We are going to deploy what we call mobile edge computing. In Japan, we are going to have over 4,000 edge servers," Mikitani told CNBC's Arjun Kharpal on Thursday at the Rakuten Optimism conference in Yokohama, Japan. Edge servers are a form of computing architecture that are said to be able to improve network efficiencies and reduce latency.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Korea braces for Japan decision on trade status, seen as soon as FridaySouth Korea is bracing for Japan's decision to drop it from a 'white l...
Read more »
Japan government to earmark $40 billion to boost growth in FY2020/21 budget: sourcesJapan will earmark 4.4 trillion yen ($40.52 billion) in the next fiscal year&03...
Read more »
Bank of Japan hints at more easing if inflation sputters, keeps policy steadyThe Bank of Japan held off on expanding stimulus on Tuesday but signaled its rea...
Read more »
BTS Tops Hot Tours Recap With $20 Million Earned in JapanBTS tops the Hot Tours recap with over $20 million earned from four shows in Japan. The Love yourself: Speak Yourself Tour has now grossed a total of $99.3 million.
Read more »
Japan dims hopes of a Samsung memory chip reboundShares of the $260 bln tech giant slid after the company warned of poor visibility into the impact of Tokyo's export curbs. South Korea’s escalating dispute with its neighbour threatens supply chains. It now throws into doubt Samsung's confidence that chip prices will recover.
Read more »
Japan actor-turned politician aims for real-life starring roleJapanese actor-turned-politician Taro Yamamoto is angling for a new real-life ro...
Read more »