Rakuten to build mobile network for 1&1

Rakuten announced partnership with 1&1 to build “Europe’s first fully virtualised mobile network” for the German greenfield operator. The company also set up a separate unit to drive global expansion.
Rakuten’s PR and comms team had a busy day. In addition to announcing the acquisition of its long-term OpenRAN partner Altiostar, the company also shared the story of its partnership with Germany’s greenfield operator 1&1. In essence, the partnership will have