제4이통으로 확정된 스테이지엑스가 일본의 라쿠텐모바일과 라쿠텐 심포니와 함께 28GHz 5G 서비스 제공을 위한 인프라 구축 및 서비스 제공을 위해 손을 잡았다.
Comprehensive cooperation including network virtualization technology
Sharing know-how on building a nationwide network based on open LAN
Stage X, which has been confirmed as the 4th mobile carrier, has joined hands with Japan's Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Symphony to build infrastructure and provide services for 28GHz 5G service.
Rakuten Mobile, Inc., Rakuten Symphony, Inc., and StageX, a new Korean mobile network operator, announced on the 2nd that they have signed a memorandum of understanding.
StageX stated, “Through this MOU, we aim to establish a comprehensive framework for strategic cooperation in all areas, including technology and business exchanges between Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Symphony, and StageX, in preparation for providing 5G services in the 28GHz frequency band.”
Rakuten Mobile is a telecommunications company of the Japanese Rakuten Group and is the fourth official telecommunications operator in Japan. With the goal of becoming the number one operator in Japan, Rakuten Mobile has realized the world's first Open RAN-based 5G nationwide network. It has approximately 60,000 4G base stations and over 10,000 5G base stations in Japan.
Rakuten Symphony is a subsidiary of Rakuten Mobile, which provides cloud-based mobile technologies and integrates 80 services, including e-commerce and securities firms.
The three companies said that they are focusing on creating technological cooperation and business synergy. Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Symphony said that they will “share industry knowledge, expertise, and communication solutions, and discuss various aspects of future projects that StageX is preparing, from business operations to technology areas.” In addition, the three companies plan to promote cooperation by considering the expansion of mid-band frequencies and 6G-based nationwide networks from a long-term perspective.
StageX CEO Sangwon Seo said, “Rakuten and StageX are looking to continue their extensive collaboration. Rakuten Mobile, as Japan’s newest mobile network operator, not only guarantees stable communication services, but also has experience building and providing virtualized cloud-native mobile networks. StageX will be able to continue discussions on a wide range of fronts with Rakuten, which has experience building 5G infrastructure and providing services based on the 28GHz frequency.”
Sharad Sriwastawa, Co-CEO of Rakuten Mobile, said, “We are excited to be working with Korea’s new mobile carrier. “Through this MOU, we expect to not only create significant synergy between the two companies, but also create opportunities for industry change through StageX by leveraging the expertise of both companies,” he said.
“As an E2E solution provider that has successfully launched Rakuten Mobile as an official telecommunications company in Japan, one of the largest telecommunications markets, and has twice successfully built a nationwide network using OpenLAN for the first time in the world, Rakuten Symphony has the know-how and technical experience to create a great opportunity to achieve further results with StageX,” said Seunghyun Son, CEO of Rakuten Symphony Singapore and Korea.
Meanwhile, the StageX consortium is led by Stage Five, a former Kakao affiliate that has been driving innovation in MVNO services in Korea, and includes financial investors (FIs) such as Shinhan Investment & Securities and leading companies in each industry.