Rakuten Mobile on Thursday introduced what it calls a "platinum" service and detailed subscriber growth as the debt-laden unit of the Tokyo-listed technology conglomerate struggles to compete in a cutthroat market.
Following a countdown at a news conference, Rakuten CEO Hiroshi Mikitani pressed a giant button — which was in the shape of a glowing white orb — commencing the 700 megahertz service.
The company says the new service will improve connectivity, including in densely populated areas. The offering is being rolled out incrementally.