Rakuten Mobile Network Receives Blanket Licenses for Specified Radio Stations in the Kanto, Tokai and Kinki Regions

Tokyo, January 23, 2019 – Rakuten Mobile Network, Inc. today announced that it has received blanket licenses[1] for 4^th generation mobile telecommunications systems radio stations[2] using the 1.7 GHz frequency band from the Kanto Bureau of Telecommunications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), the Tokai Bureau of Telecommunications and the Kinki Bureau of Telecommunications.

By acquiring the blanket licenses, Rakuten Mobile Network has become able to transmit radio waves from its base stations. Rakuten Mobile Network will proceed with the construction of its base stations and network while making preparations to acquire radio station licenses for other regions, with the aim of launching its service as a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) in October 2019.

[1] The blanket license allows the receiver to establish multiple radio stations of a similar type with one license, rather than requiring a license for each individual radio station.

[2] The blanket license from the Kanto Bureau of Telecommunications of the MIC is for 4th generation mobile telecommunications systems radio stations (base stations and terminals) using the 1.7 GHz frequency band. The blanket licenses from the Tokai Bureau of Telecommunications and the Kinki Bureau of Telecommunications are for 4th generation mobile telecommunications systems radio stations (base stations) using the 1.7 GHz frequency band.