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5g rakuten

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Rakuten is a Japanese electronic commerce and online retailing company that has also entered the mobile telecommunications sector. Rakuten Mobile, a subsidiary of Rakuten Group, has been actively involved in deploying and promoting 5G technology.

Here is a technical explanation of 5G technology and Rakuten's involvement in it:

5G Technology:

1. Frequency Bands:

  • 5G operates on a variety of frequency bands, including sub-6 GHz and mmWave (millimeter-wave) bands.
  • Sub-6 GHz provides broader coverage, while mmWave offers high data rates but with shorter range and is more susceptible to obstacles.

2. Radio Access Technologies:

  • 5G uses new radio access technologies, such as New Radio (NR), which is a key component of the 5G standard.
  • NR allows for flexible spectrum usage, massive device connectivity, low latency, and improved energy efficiency.

3. Massive MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output):

  • 5G systems often employ Massive MIMO to enhance network capacity and data rates.
  • Massive MIMO involves using a large number of antennas at the base station to serve multiple users simultaneously.

4. Network Slicing:

  • Network slicing is a feature of 5G that allows the creation of multiple virtual networks on a shared physical infrastructure.
  • This enables customization of network characteristics to meet the specific requirements of different applications (e.g., enhanced Mobile Broadband, Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications).

5. Low Latency:

  • 5G aims to achieve ultra-low latency, crucial for applications like autonomous vehicles, remote surgery, and augmented reality.
  • This is achieved through various optimizations in the network architecture and protocols.

Rakuten's Involvement:

1. Cloud-Native Architecture:

  • Rakuten Mobile has gained attention for its cloud-native approach to building and operating its 5G network.
  • The network infrastructure is based on virtualization technologies, allowing for more flexibility and scalability.

2. OpenRAN (Open Radio Access Network):

  • Rakuten has been a proponent of OpenRAN, which is an open and disaggregated approach to radio access network architecture.
  • OpenRAN uses standardized interfaces and promotes vendor interoperability, potentially reducing costs and fostering innovation.

3. Virtualization and Software-Defined Networking (SDN):

  • Rakuten Mobile leverages virtualization and SDN to create a flexible and programmable network infrastructure.
  • This allows for dynamic resource allocation, efficient management, and quick deployment of new services.

4. End-to-End Integration:

  • Rakuten Mobile has worked on providing an end-to-end integrated solution, covering core network, transport, and radio access elements.
  • This integration is aimed at optimizing the performance and efficiency of the entire network.

5. Partnerships and Ecosystem:

  • Rakuten has collaborated with various technology partners to create a robust 5G ecosystem.
  • These partnerships involve equipment vendors, software developers, and other stakeholders in the telecommunications industry.