Equinix Enables Rakuten Mobile to Bring its Rakuten Communications Platform to International Markets

Rhea-AI Summary

Equinix (Nasdaq: EQIX) announced a partnership with Rakuten Mobile Singapore to deploy the Rakuten Communications Platform (RCP) globally. The phased deployment will start in Singapore and Los Angeles, with further expansions in the U.S., EMEA, and Asia-Pacific. This collaboration aims to meet the increasing demand for network services, projected to grow 4x by 2022, according to Equinix's Global Interconnection Index. By leveraging Equinix's infrastructure, Rakuten Mobile will enhance its cloud-native network services, offering secure and low-latency options to operators and enterprises worldwide.

Positive

• Partnership with Rakuten Mobile enhances Equinix's service offerings.
• Global expansion of Rakuten Communications Platform expected to drive revenue growth.
• Access to over 2,900 cloud and 1,800 network service providers through Equinix's ecosystem.

Negative

• Dependence on the successful rollout of Rakuten's services could pose risks.
• Inherent uncertainties in the deployment and integration of new technologies.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Sept. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX), the world's digital infrastructure company, today announced that Rakuten Mobile Singapore Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Rakuten Mobile, Inc., has selected Platform Equinix^® as a foundation to deliver its Rakuten Communications Platform (RCP) to global operators and enterprise customers. The deployment will be completed in phases, with initial deployment in Singapore, the location of Rakuten Mobile's international headquarters, and Los Angeles with future expansions planned across the U.S., EMEA and Asia-Pacific. 

Demand for network services is predicted to grow globally. According to the Global Interconnection Index (GXI) Volume 3, a market study published by Equinix, interconnecting to multiple network providers across multiple edge locations is the most prominent use case for interconnection bandwidth and is expected to grow 4x by 2022. Governments and enterprises are seeking secure, affordable and scalable ways to meet this growing demand, which Rakuten envisions to be achieved via RCP.

Rakuten Mobile intends to offer RCP as a set of key technologies and services that allows governments, telecom companies and enterprises a way to easily build and deploy fully cloud-native network services at speed and low cost. With plans underway to roll out RCP on a global scale, Rakuten Mobile selected Platform Equinix after a thorough evaluation process to address its dynamic needs.

In order to enable customers around the world to deploy RCP in an open, scalable and highly secure manner, Equinix's global footprint and reliable infrastructure is expected to be integral to the global growth of RCP. 

Highlights / Key Facts:

• Rakuten Mobile, the world's first end-to-end cloud-native network operator, launched full 4G service deployment in Japan earlier this year and is scheduled to launch commercial 5G services later this year.
  
  
• The deployment with Equinix enables Rakuten Mobile to amplify and accelerate the global expansion of RCP through Equinix's global footprint and diverse ecosystems. Leveraging Platform Equinix's globally distributed and reliable network infrastructure, Rakuten Mobile will be able to deliver secure, high-speed and low-latency network services to its customers outside of Japan.
  
  
• Rakuten Mobile will join Platform Equinix's interconnected global ecosystem, with over 2,900 cloud service providers (CSPs) and 1,800 network service providers (NSPs). In addition, Rakuten Mobile will also be able to deploy and connect virtual network services at the edge in minutes, on demand, addressing the dynamic interconnection bandwidth requirements and network spikes.

Quotes:

• Tareq Amin, Chief Technology Officer, Rakuten Mobile
  "We are thrilled to collaborate with Equinix to support the global expansion of our telecommunications business through Rakuten Communications Platform. Equinix's global footprint, enterprise-grade facilities and strong network capabilities make it the ideal partner for us to bring the deployment of cloud-native mobile networks to telecom and enterprise companies around the world."
  
  
• Justin Dustzadeh, Chief Technology Officer, Equinix
  "Today marks the beginning of a strong and solid collaboration with Rakuten Mobile. The first phase of deployment in Singapore and Los Angeles lays ground for future international expansion of its mobile business. With Platform Equinix, Rakuten Mobile can take advantage of our global footprint and solid network ecosystems to deliver high-speed, low-latency and secure services to its customers around the globe. We look forward to furthering this collaboration and are excited to see what the future holds."

Additional Resources

• Platform Equinix [website]
• Global Interconnection Index Volume 3 [website]

About Equinix
Equinix (Nasdaq: EQIX) is the world's digital infrastructure company, enabling digital leaders to harness a trusted platform to bring together and interconnect the foundational infrastructure that powers their success. Equinix enables today's businesses to access all the right places, partners and possibilities they need to accelerate advantage. With Equinix, they can scale with agility, speed the launch of digital services, deliver world-class experiences and multiply their value.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from expectations discussed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the challenges of acquiring, operating and constructing IBX data centres and developing, deploying and delivering Equinix and Rakuten products and solutions; unanticipated costs or difficulties relating to the integration of companies we have acquired or will acquire into Equinix; a failure to receive significant revenues from customers in recently built out or acquired data centres; a failure to complete any financing arrangements contemplated from time to time; competition from existing and new competitors; the ability to generate sufficient cash flow or otherwise obtain funds to repay new or outstanding indebtedness; the loss or decline in business from our key customers; risks related to our taxation as a REIT; and other risks described from time to time in Equinix filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see recent Equinix quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are available upon request from Equinix. Equinix does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

 

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SOURCE Equinix, Inc.

FAQ

What is the partnership between Equinix and Rakuten Mobile?

Equinix has partnered with Rakuten Mobile to deploy the Rakuten Communications Platform globally, starting in Singapore and Los Angeles.

When will Rakuten Mobile launch its global expansion?

The deployment will occur in phases, beginning in 2020, with further expansions planned for the U.S., EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.

What are the expected benefits of the Rakuten Communications Platform?

The RCP aims to provide secure, high-speed, and low-latency network services to customers globally, addressing increasing demand for network services.

How does Equinix's Global Interconnection Index relate to this partnership?

According to the Global Interconnection Index, the demand for interconnection services is expected to grow significantly, which this partnership aims to meet.

What are the risks associated with the Equinix and Rakuten Mobile collaboration?

Risks include potential challenges in successful deployment and integration of services, as well as dependency on Rakuten Mobile's performance.