Rakuten Mobile Network: Coverage & Platinum Band

Is Rakuten Mobile's coverage good? This is the #1 question for foreigners.

The short answer: Yes, it's now 99.9% population coverage. The long answer: It used to be spotty indoors, but the Platinum Band (700MHz) rollout in 2024 changed everything.

The "Platinum Band" Revolution (June 2024)

For years, Rakuten Mobile used high-frequency bands (1.7GHz) which are fast but struggle to penetrate thick concrete walls or reach deep underground.

In June 2024, Rakuten officially launched its Platinum Band (700MHz) service. This low-frequency signal bends around obstacles and penetrates buildings easily.

Result:

• Indoors: Much stronger signal in malls, offices, and apartments.
• Underground: Better connectivity in subways and basements.
• Rural: Improved reach in mountainous areas.

Coverage Breakdown

Rakuten Mobile uses a hybrid network strategy:

1. Rakuten 4G/5G Network:

   • Covers major cities and most populated areas.
   • Unlimited High-Speed Data.
   • You are on this network 90%+ of the time.

2. Partner Network (au/KDDI):

   • Covers rural areas, mountains, and some indoor spots where Rakuten's signal is weak.
   • Unlimited High-Speed Data (Previously capped at 5GB, now unlimited).
   • Your phone switches automatically. You won't notice.

Total Population Coverage: 99.9% (Same as Docomo, au, SoftBank).

5G Speed

Rakuten Mobile's 5G is Sub-6 and mmWave. In central Tokyo (Shibuya, Shinjuku), speeds can exceed 1 Gbps. Average 4G speeds are typically 30–50 Mbps, which is plenty for 4K streaming.

Dual SIM Strategy (For Skeptics)

If you are still worried about coverage (e.g., you hike in remote mountains often), we recommend the Dual SIM strategy.

Since Rakuten Mobile has no contract fees and no cancellation fees, you can:

1. Sign up for Rakuten Mobile (eSIM) as your main data line (Unlimited for ¥3,278).
2. Keep a cheap backup SIM (e.g., povo 2.0 or IIJmio) on the same phone.
3. Test Rakuten for a month. If it works, cancel the backup. If not, cancel Rakuten.

Most foreigners find Rakuten's coverage perfectly adequate for city life and travel.

Summary

Bottom Line: The coverage gap has closed significantly. Unless you live in a specific dead zone (which can happen with any carrier), Rakuten Mobile is now a viable main line.