Tech Mahindra partners Rakuten to set up mobile broadband labs

Infotech (IT) services major Tech Mahindra has tied up with Japanese internet firm Rakuten Mobile Network Inc. for building one 4G and 5G (fourth and fifth generation of cellular wireless standards) lab each in Tokyo and Bengaluru, the companies said in a statement.

Rakuten Mobile Network, subsidiary of Rakuten Group, which is the largest e-commerce player in Japan, will test software-based virtual networks for 5G service.

The collaboration will look to leverage Tech Mahindra’s capabilities in the 5G domain like mobile networks, IT, cloud and enterprise applications while trying to fulfil Rakuten’s idea to build a fully automated 5G-ready network in Japan and beyond, the companies said in a statement. Tech Mahindra will also provide network integration capabilities to add value to lab operations, it added.

As part of the company's ‘TechMNxt charter’, Tech Mahindra focuses on 5G technology and is currently working with multiple service providers globally on their network transformation journey.

Rakuten chairman, president and chief executive Mickey Mikitani said that the company was on its path to launching mobile 5G broadband technologies in October 2019, to deliver convenience for its users across over 70 e-commerce, fin-tech and communications services.

Founded in Tokyo in 1997 as an online marketplace, Rakuten has expanded to offer services in e-commerce, fin-tech, digital content and communications and has more than 1.2 billion consumers around the world. It employs over 16,000 persons and has operations in 30 countries. 

Tech Mahindra is a $4.9 billion IT services and consultant major and employs over 114,000 people across the world.