Rakuten Mobile Accelerates 5G Standalone Rollout with Cisco, Nokia, and F5 Partnerships
Rakuten Mobile, the trailblazing Open RAN operator, today announced a pivotal leap forward in its 5G Standalone (SA) network deployment, solidifying strategic partnerships with industry giants Cisco, Nokia, and F5. This collaboration underscores Rakuten Mobile's commitment to delivering a next-generation, cloud-native, and AI-driven mobile experience across Japan.
The move is set to significantly enhance network capabilities, streamline operations through advanced AI systems, and unlock a new era of innovative mobile services for consumers and enterprises alike.
Key highlights of the strategic alliances include:
Cisco's Mobile Packet Core Portfolio: Rakuten Mobile will integrate Cisco's cutting-edge mobile Packet Core to form the backbone of its evolving network services. This will enable agile 5G deployments, optimize performance with AI-driven insights, and pave the way for a host of new service offerings.
Nokia's Cloud-Native Network Functions (CNFs): Nokia will provide essential cloud-native network functions, including authentication, user data management, signaling, analytics, and IMS voice. These multi-cloud capable CNFs will be deployed on Rakuten Symphony's Cloud-Native Platform, ensuring robust reliability, security, and operational efficiency.
F5's Enhanced API Security and Traffic Management: As a long-standing partner, F5 will deliver updated API security and traffic management solutions, along with cloud-native network functions, crucial for safeguarding the integrity and performance of the 5G SA core network.
Rakuten Mobile's 5G SA network promises a revolution in connectivity, offering ultra-low latency, higher speeds, and enhanced reliability. This strategic blend of expertise from Cisco, Nokia, and F5, combined with Rakuten's pioneering Open RAN architecture, positions Japan at the forefront of global mobile innovation.