May 23, 2025 Administrative Guidance to Rakuten Mobile, Inc. on Improvement in Delayed Opening of 5G Specified Base Stations in FY2024 under the Establishment Plan to Promote the Deployment of 5th-Generation Mobile Communications Systems

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) issued written administrative guidance to Rakuten Mobile, Inc. (President: YAZAWA Shunsuke, Corporate Number: 2010901041404, Head Office: Setagaya City, Tokyo) on the delayed opening of 5G specified base stations in FY2024 against the Establishment Plan to Promote the Deployment of 5th-Generation Mobile Communications Systems today.

1. Background

　Rakuten Mobile, Inc. submitted the Establishment Plan for the 1.7 GHz band in areas other than Kanto, Tokai, and Kinki Region, which was approved by the MIC on Wednesday, April 14, 2021.
　The MIC received a report from the company on the establishment status of 5G specified base stations as of the end of FY2024. According to the initial plan, the operation of 5G specified base stations was to commence in December 2024, with 5G service provision beginning around March 2025. Rakuten Mobile, Inc. proceeded with establishing specified base stations under the 4G mobile communication system, intending to convert them to 5G in the future. However, as of the end of FY2024, neither the operation of 5G specified base stations nor the provision of 5G services had commenced, resulting in a delay behind the scheduled timeline.

2. Contents of guidance

　Today, the MIC issued written administrative guidance to the company from the viewpoint of ensuring the proper implementation of the Establishment Plan.

3. Future plans

　The MIC will continue to provide necessary guidance and oversight to ensure the proper implementation of the Establishment Plan.