Rakuten Mobile expands its line-up of smartphones

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Fusion Communications Corp, the telecommunications company of the Rakuten Group, on Friday announced that it has expanded its lineup of smartphones with two new models, and will launch monthly payment plans for its smartphones in addition to opening a counter for applications for new contracts at the Rakuten CAFE.

Rakuten Mobile is an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) service provided by Fusion that utilizes NTT DoCoMo’s LTE network. Rakuten Mobile offers a SIM-free device with a low-cost SIM card package for calling, in addition to offering the low-cost SIM card by itself. Rakuten Mobile aims to provide a better, low-cost service for customers not satisfied with their current smartphone tariff plans, and to widen the options for those who wish to use smartphones without worrying about the cost.

In order to provide Rakuten Mobile customers with more options in their choice of smartphone, Rakuten Mobile has added two models to its lineup: the AQUOS SH-M01AW (Sharp) – Rakuten Mobile’s first smartphone made by a Japanese company – and the high-spec Ascend Mate7 (Huawei Japan). Timed to coincide with this announcement, Rakuten Mobile will also begin offering monthly payment options for smartphones and establish a counter at the Rakuten CAFE for receiving new applications. Through these measures, Rakuten Mobile has broadened its offerings, enabling it to further meet the various needs of customers who will join the service.

In order to ease the initial burden when purchasing a SIM-free smartphone as part of a package, Rakuten Mobile will offer a monthly payment plan that allows the handset cost to be paid in installments with the monthly charges for the Rakuten Mobile telephone SIM card.

For customers who would rather not apply online, Rakuten Mobile will start its first brick-and-mortar store which will accept in-person applications at the Rakuten CAFE. Customers who are signing up for a new contract or an MNP (Mobile Number Portability) contract at the Rakuten CAFE will have their Rakuten Mobile SIM card and smartphone sent to their home at a later date.