KMW begins mass supply of 4G kit to Rakuten 

KMW has begun supply of 4G radio unit in mass scale to Rakuten Mobile of Japan in the fourth quarter.

Out of the contract worth 89 billion won, KMW had supplied 6.5 billion worth in the third quarter. The contract will expire by the end of the year.

The South Korean company’s radio unit combines antenna and remote radio head into one __ which is called RRA. It doesn’t require a cable between the antenna and remote radio head.

Earlier this month, Rakuten Mobile said its 4G network coverage will cover 96% of the Japanese population by mid-2021. Up to 1,500 locations will get coverage by the end of the year. 

The telco was named a mobile network operator by the Japanese government in 2018. It was a mobile virtual network operator for NTT Docomo prior to that.

Rakuten Mobile begin 4G services in April. It begin 5G services in September, though it has been slower to expand in 5G networks compared to 4G.

The telco initially used Nokia’s remote radio head for its earlier investment into 4G network but has swapped it for KMW’s in the second stage of investment. It had also ordered remote tilting and steering kit from KMW for its 89 billion won order.

Rakuten Mobile is expected to order more RRA from KMW for its virtual network.

KMW posted 279.3 billion won in sales and 34.6 billion won in operating income up to the third quarter of 2020. This is down 53% and 75%, respectively, from the same time period a year ago but its rate of loss is comparatively better than its South Korean competitors.