Why I Recommend Rakuten Mobile Now (Part 2): Baseball, Videos, Overseas Use, and Satellite Communication
Why I Recommend Rakuten Mobile Now (Part 2): Baseball, Videos, Overseas Use, and Satellite Communication
Yesterday, I introduced Rakuten Mobile's three-tiered pricing, the price cap after exceeding 20GB, free domestic calls via Rakuten Link, and point-up benefits at Rakuten Ichiba. Rakuten Mobile has even more to offer. Services that make life after signing up more convenient are available, such as Pacific League broadcasts, music, magazines, overseas roaming, age-based discounts, and eSIMs. Furthermore, efforts to expand the coverage area are underway, including the 700MHz platinum band and satellite communication that directly connects commercial smartphones to low-Earth orbit satellites. Today, I will introduce the unique value-added features of Rakuten Mobile and points to check before signing up.
※Pricing and service details are current as of August 10, 2026.
Pacific League at no extra cost. Irresistible for baseball fans
Rakuten Mobile subscribers can use "Pacific League Special," which streams official Pacific League games, at no additional cost. Since you can watch games of Pacific League teams, including the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, on your smartphone or tablet, it is a highly practical benefit for baseball fans. You can enjoy games that aren't broadcast on TV or games you're curious about while on the go, provided you have a network connection. It also pairs well with the Rakuten Strongest Plan, where the price remains the same even if data usage exceeds 20GB, so you can watch without worrying too much about your remaining data. Being able to watch until the very end without worrying about purchasing extra data even if a game goes into extra innings is a welcome point for baseball fans.
Enjoy music and magazines too. It doesn't end with just communication
Rakuten Mobile subscribers are also offered digital content benefits beyond baseball. You can use Rakuten Music for up to 10 hours every 30 days and Rakuten Magazine for up to three eligible magazines every month at no extra cost. While this might not be enough for someone who listens to music all day or reads a massive amount of magazines, it is perfectly sufficient for uses like listening to music during your commute or reading a few magazines you're interested in each month. Being able to enjoy sports, music, and magazines in addition to a communication line all under one contract is a charm of Rakuten Mobile that isn't immediately obvious from the monthly fee alone.
Enjoy entertainment content for free! Pacific League - Rakuten Mobile
https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/campaign/digital-contents/
For video lovers, the choice is Rakuten Strongest U-NEXT
For those who enjoy movies, dramas, and anime on a daily basis, there is the option of "Rakuten Strongest U-NEXT." This is a plan that combines Rakuten Mobile's data communication with U-NEXT's unlimited viewing service. The regular price is 4,378 yen (tax included) per month, or 4,268 yen (tax included) per month if the Strongest Family Discount is applied. The benefit is that you don't need to sign up for a communication line and a video streaming service separately, and you can consolidate your payments. However, not all U-NEXT works are completely free; some of the latest releases require separate points or fees. You can choose according to your usage: the regular Rakuten Strongest Plan if you don't watch many videos, or Rakuten Strongest U-NEXT if you frequently enjoy movies and dramas.
Rakuten Strongest U-NEXT (Rakuten Mobile and U-NEXT set plan/pricing)
https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/fee/unext/
Stay connected even overseas. Up to 2GB per month at no extra cost
Rakuten Mobile allows you to use up to 2GB of high-speed data communication per month in over 100 eligible countries and regions at no additional cost. After using up the 2GB, speeds are limited to a maximum of 128kbps, but you can add high-speed data capacity for 500 yen per 1GB as needed. Since it reduces the hassle of renting an overseas Wi-Fi router or buying a local SIM card, it is convenient for short-term travel or business trips where you mainly use maps, translation, messaging, and store searches. However, you must enable overseas roaming in my Rakuten Mobile and on your device before traveling, and complete Rakuten Link authentication domestically. The data used overseas is also calculated as part of your monthly data usage, combined with your domestic usage.
From children and young people to seniors. Benefits for every generation
Rakuten Mobile offers the "Strongest Kids Discount" for those 12 and under, the "Strongest Youth Discount" for those 13 to 22, and the "Strongest Senior Program" for those 65 and older. It is a system designed to reduce the burden according to the usage habits of each generation, such as smartphones for children to stay in touch, video and social media use for students, and calls or monitoring for seniors. However, it is not automatically applied based on age alone; you may need to apply, enter, or join eligible options. Since discounts deducted directly from the monthly fee and point returns granted at a later date are different mechanisms, be sure to check the conditions before applying.
Don't wait for a SIM card. Switching is smooth with eSIM
You don't necessarily have to buy a new smartphone to switch to Rakuten Mobile. If your device is compatible with Rakuten Mobile, you can use your current smartphone by setting up a SIM card or eSIM. If you have an eSIM-compatible device, you may be able to proceed with the procedure online without waiting for a physical SIM card to arrive. If you are switching from a carrier that supports MNP One-Stop, you generally do not need an MNP reservation number. However, since not all devices are fully compatible with Rakuten Mobile's communication methods and frequencies, it is important to check your device name and model number in the "Check Device Compatibility" section on the official website before signing up.
You don't have to switch immediately. Try it as a secondary line first
If you are anxious about canceling your current line immediately, you can add Rakuten Mobile as a secondary line. If you have a dual-SIM compatible device, you can set up two lines on one smartphone and check the communication status of Rakuten Mobile at home, at work, on your commute, and at stores you frequently visit. It is possible to switch your primary line to Rakuten Mobile after confirming that it can be used without problems in your daily life. However, the combinations of SIMs that can be used and the specifications for simultaneous standby vary depending on the device, and administrative fees may be incurred depending on the number of lines contracted or past contract status.
Don't decide based on price alone. Check the communication area in your daily life
The most important factor in determining whether you can use Rakuten Mobile comfortably is the communication area. Even if an area is covered on the official area map, actual communication conditions vary depending on building structure, floor level, underground spaces, surrounding terrain, time of day, and device performance. Even at the same address, it might connect by a window but be weak in the back of a room. Before signing up, it is important to check the communication status in your actual daily life, not just at home, but also at work, school, on your commute, and at commercial facilities you frequently use. Even if the price is attractive, your satisfaction will decrease if it doesn't connect in the places you usually use.
Improving connectivity. The expanding platinum band
Rakuten Mobile began commercial service using the 700MHz platinum band in June 2024. Compared to conventional high-frequency bands, the platinum band has properties that make it easier for radio waves to reach further and wrap around into the interior of buildings. Therefore, improvements in communication quality are expected indoors, underground, and in suburban areas. However, base stations are not installed nationwide all at once; they are being deployed sequentially, prioritizing areas with coverage challenges.
A future where smartphones and space connect directly
Rakuten Mobile is not only developing ground base stations but is also advancing a satellite communication project in collaboration with AST SpaceMobile of the U.S. In April 2023, it succeeded in a voice call test connecting commercial smartphones using low-Earth orbit satellites, and in April 2025, it succeeded in a video call in Japan that directly connected a low-Earth orbit satellite to a commercial smartphone. The planned "Rakuten Strongest Satellite Service Powered by AST SpaceMobile" is a service that aims to directly connect general smartphones to low-Earth orbit satellites, rather than using special satellite phones. It is expected to expand communication areas in mountainous regions, remote islands, and during disasters where it is difficult to install base stations.
https://youtu.be/5b5VQwgWRfs
When will satellite communication start? Organizing expectations and the current situation
Rakuten Mobile aims to start domestic satellite communication services in the fourth quarter of 2026. However, as of August 10, 2026, full-scale provision for general users has not yet begun. Not all details, such as available areas, compatible devices, communication speeds, pricing, and service hours, have been finalized. Just because current ground lines may be hard to connect to doesn't mean you can supplement them with satellite communication immediately after signing up, so you need to think about current communication quality and future plans separately. Nevertheless, the challenge of trying to supplement places that are difficult to reach with ground base stations alone from space is an initiative that symbolizes the future potential of Rakuten Mobile.
https://youtu.be/S_-ufifBsF8
These are the people for whom Rakuten Mobile is a perfect fit
Rakuten Mobile is suitable for people whose monthly data usage fluctuates, people who use videos and social media beyond 20GB, and people who want to keep call charges down using Rakuten Link. It also has benefits for people who frequently use Rakuten Ichiba, people who want to enjoy Pacific League games, people who have opportunities for overseas travel or business trips, and people who want to use tethering. On the other hand, it may not necessarily be optimal for people who make long calls using the standard phone app, people who always demand stable high-speed communication even in crowded places, or people whose daily life areas do not get sufficient Rakuten Mobile signal. It is important to check not only the price and benefits but also whether it fits the places you usually use and your intended purpose.
Rakuten Mobile goes beyond communication to make life more affordable
Rakuten Mobile is equipped with services that make life convenient, such as Pacific League broadcasts, music, magazines, overseas roaming, generation-specific systems, and eSIMs, in addition to easy-to-understand pricing and free domestic calls. If you choose a plan combined with U-NEXT, you can also consolidate communication and video streaming into one. While there are differences in communication areas depending on the region and building, and the platinum band and satellite communication are still in development, the stance of trying to expand the communication area from both the ground and space is a unique feature of Rakuten Mobile. If you can use it without problems in your daily life and find appeal in any of the pricing, calls, points, or entertainment, Rakuten Mobile is a strong option as of 2026. Why not start by checking compatible devices and the communication area to consider whether it fits your usage?
Supported by everyone, we have surpassed 10 million subscribers!
https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/feature/why-rakuten-mobile/ten-million/
