Rakuten wants to become Japan's 4th wireless carrier

Tokyo

JAPANESE e-commerce firm Rakuten said it would apply for a 4G mobile licence, aiming to become the country's fourth major wireless carrier in a strategic shift that had analysts warning of an uphill battle to gain customers.

Rakuten, which operates one of Japan's most popular shopping websites, said it hoped to gain a new engine of growth, adding that having a mobile licence would complement its e-commerce, streaming and fintech services such as online securities trading. "There is no doubt that mobile devices are the most important user touchpoint for the expansion of existing services and new service development," it said in a statement.