Rakuten Mobile — Free Service Overview
Rakuten Mobile is a free Mobile Plans service. Browse features, available discounts, and alternatives below.
Updated: May 2026
About Rakuten Mobile
Rakuten Mobile
Rakuten Mobile is operated by Rakuten Mobile, Inc., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan (Subsidiary of TSE: 4755 (Rakuten Group, Inc.)). The product launched 2014 (MVNO); 2020 fourth Japanese mobile carrier and Japan's fourth mobile network operator with cloud-native architecture. This 2026 review covers operator context, the current tier ladder, the feature set that matters for buyers and the live signals to watch before subscribing.
Quick facts
- Operator: Rakuten Mobile, Inc.
- Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
- Public-market status: Subsidiary of TSE: 4755 (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
- Founded: 2014 (MVNO); 2020 fourth Japanese mobile carrier
- Category: mobile plans
- Current tiers: Rakuten UN-LIMIT VII / Tiered usage
- Anchor price (2026): ¥3,278/mo unlimited
- Competitive set: competing with NTT Docomo, SoftBank and KDDI au in Japanese mobile
What is Rakuten Mobile?
Rakuten Mobile is Japan's fourth mobile network operator with cloud-native architecture. The product is competing with NTT Docomo, SoftBank and KDDI au in Japanese mobile. Customers buy a tier that matches their usage profile — the entry tier handles Japan's fully cloud-native 5G/4G network, while the mid and premium tiers add depth such as unlimited domestic data and free Rakuten Link calls. Subscription billing happens through the operator's checkout or partner billing surfaces.
Why choose Rakuten Mobile
Operator and market position
Rakuten Mobile, Inc. runs Rakuten Mobile from Tokyo, Japan. Its public-market status (Subsidiary of TSE: 4755 (Rakuten Group, Inc.)) and category position (competing with NTT Docomo, SoftBank and KDDI au in Japanese mobile) shape the credibility of the operator's roadmap and pricing decisions. Buyers should weigh that operator context alongside headline features — a well-capitalised parent typically translates into faster bug fixes, longer support cycles and more predictable price changes than a smaller indie operator.
Plan ladder and pricing
The Rakuten Mobile tier ladder runs Rakuten UN-LIMIT VII, Tiered usage. Anchor pricing in 2026 starts around ¥3,278/mo unlimited for the entry tier and steps up by tier with named feature unlocks. Confirm the live regional price on the operator's site, then cross-check Subger's true-price tracker for Rakuten Mobile for the all-in renewal cost after taxes and FX conversion.
Network, apps and customer support
Apps and customer-experience surfaces matter as much as headline feature counts. Rakuten Mobile delivers its core workflow across the platform surfaces listed in the platform table below, with notifications and self-service flows handled in-app. The 2025-2026 differentiator to watch: 2024-2025 continued urban 5G coverage growth and KDDI roaming partnership for rural areas.
Rakuten Mobile features that matter in 2026
Current feature set that buyers should weigh:
- Japan's fully cloud-native 5G/4G network
- unlimited domestic data
- free Rakuten Link calls
- Rakuten Points integration
- international roaming included in 70+ countries
- eSIM activation
Feature availability varies by region and tier; the headline list above reflects the operator's primary positioning. Confirm specific regional availability on the operator's marketing pages before committing.
Rakuten Mobile pricing in 2026
The Rakuten Mobile tier ladder in 2026 looks like:
| Tier | Best for | Reference price (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Rakuten UN-LIMIT VII | budget-conscious or entry users | ¥3,278/mo unlimited |
| Tiered usage | standard subscribers | ¥1,078-¥2,178/mo |
Headline prices step up across the ladder; promotional first-period anchors and regional FX can change the all-in cost. Subger's tools reconcile the list price with the actual renewal cost:
| Subger tool | What it shows |
|---|---|
| True-price tracker | List price changes plus historical promotional anchors |
| Deals page | Active discounts and limited-time offers |
| Promo codes | Stackable codes for new and existing subscribers |
| Cancel guide | Step-by-step termination by billing surface |
Rakuten Mobile apps and platform support
| Surface | Status |
|---|---|
| iOS / Android self-care app | Yes |
| Web account portal | Yes |
| eSIM / SIM activation | Where offered |
| Retail stores | Yes in operator markets |
| Customer-support hotline | Yes |
| Email and SMS notifications | Yes |
Surface availability can vary by region and tier; confirm current app availability and supported devices on the operator's site before subscribing.
Who Rakuten Mobile fits
Rakuten Mobile is most likely a good match for the following buyers:
- Japanese users wanting unlimited data at the lowest big-four mno price — the core target audience for the product.
- Category-focused subscribers who specifically want Japan's fully cloud-native 5G/4G network from competing with NTT Docomo, SoftBank and KDDI au in Japanese mobile rather than a generalist platform.
- Tier-comparing households or teams evaluating the Rakuten UN-LIMIT VII → Tiered usage ladder and willing to pay up for Rakuten Points integration.
- Cross-device users who need apps across the surfaces in the platform table above.
- Price-sensitive shoppers who want to track promotional anchors via Subger's true-price tracker and deals page before committing to annual billing.
Frequently asked questions
Who runs Rakuten Mobile and where is it based?
Rakuten Mobile is run by Rakuten Mobile, Inc., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The operator's public-market status is: Subsidiary of TSE: 4755 (Rakuten Group, Inc.). The product was founded 2014 (MVNO); 2020 fourth Japanese mobile carrier.
How much does Rakuten Mobile cost in 2026?
The 2026 tier ladder is Rakuten UN-LIMIT VII, Tiered usage, with anchor pricing starting around ¥3,278/mo unlimited. Regional currency and promotional cycles can shift the all-in cost; Subger's true-price tracker reconciles the headline price with renewal reality.
Is there a free tier or free trial for Rakuten Mobile?
There is no perpetual free tier listed for the standard Rakuten Mobile subscription; the operator may run introductory trials periodically. Check the live signup page for current trial promotions.
Where is Rakuten Mobile available?
Availability follows the operator's licensing and service footprint from Tokyo, Japan. Confirm regional availability on the official site before subscribing.
What 2025-2026 features set Rakuten Mobile apart right now?
The live differentiator to watch: 2024-2025 continued urban 5G coverage growth and KDDI roaming partnership for rural areas. Pair that with the headline features (Japan's fully cloud-native 5G/4G network, unlimited domestic data, free Rakuten Link calls) to judge whether the current roadmap fits your needs.
Which competitors should buyers compare Rakuten Mobile against?
Rakuten Mobile is most directly competing with NTT Docomo, SoftBank and KDDI au in Japanese mobile. Run a side-by-side feature and price comparison with those alternatives — Subger's category pages help with the shortlist.
How do I cancel Rakuten Mobile?
Cancel through the account or subscription settings on the surface where you bought the plan: the operator's website for direct subscriptions, the App Store or Google Play for in-app purchases, or the partner billing portal for bundled subscriptions. Subger's cancellation guide for Rakuten Mobile walks through each route step-by-step.
Does Rakuten Mobile offer a team or multi-seat plan?
Multi-user, team or seat structure depends on the tier. Higher tiers commonly add admin controls and seat-sharing; entry tiers can restrict simultaneous usage. Confirm the per-tier seat limit on the live pricing page before committing.
How can I track price changes for Rakuten Mobile?
Subger's renewal tracker for Rakuten Mobile records list-price changes plus promotional anchors over time. Pair it with the deals page for current discount codes and the promo codes page for stackable savings at signup.
Get started with Rakuten Mobile
Confirm the current regional price on the Rakuten Mobile, Inc. signup page, choose the tier that matches your usage (Rakuten UN-LIMIT VII or Tiered usage are the most common starting points), and check Subger's deals page for Rakuten Mobile for promotional anchors before completing checkout. Track the subscription's true renewal cost with the true-price tracker once you're signed up.
Related Subger guides
Pricing
| Regional pricing | Rakuten Saikyo Plan (0-3GB) | Rakuten Saikyo Plan (3-20GB) | Rakuten Saikyo Plan (20GB+ Unlimited) | Rakuten Saikyo U-NEXT (Unlimited + U-NEXT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵JapanJPY | ¥1,078.00≈ $6.86 | ¥2,178.00≈ $13.86 | ¥3,278.00≈ $20.86 | ¥4,378.00≈ $27.86 |
Prices converted at current exchange rate
Available Guides
Sources
Subger is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Rakuten Mobile or its parent companies. All trademarks, service marks, and logos belong to their respective owners. Information on this page is provided for informational and comparison purposes only. Pricing and plan details are sourced from publicly available information and may not reflect current offerings — please verify with the official provider. If you are a representative of this service and believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us at info@subger.com.
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