Rakuten Mobile launches 5G service, but only in a few areas

Rakuten Mobile today launched its 5G service in parts of six prefectures in Japan, and in conjunction it announced a new Rakuten 5G smartphone. The 5G launch was originally planned for June, but the company delayed it due to Covid-19. The 5G service, called Rakuten Un-Limit V, will be available for the same $28.22 monthly fee as the operator’s existing 4G wireless service. Similar to 5G rollouts in the United States, subscribers of Rakuten’s 4G service will be able to use the 5G services for no additional cost. 

In addition, Rakuten is offering a promotion of free 4G/5G service for one year to the first three million subscribers who sign up.