There was widespread concern among Rakuten Mobile users that “KDDI roaming will end from October 2026, making it difficult to connect to radio waves.” This is mainly due to the fact that the current contract deadline disclosed by both companies is set to end on September 30, 2026.
However, Rakuten Mobile has officially announced that “KDDI roaming will continue after October 2026.” Both companies are currently making final adjustments, and it is expected that connectivity will continue to be maintained from the fall onwards, mainly in areas that are difficult to cover with their own lines. This time, we will explain the background and impact on users in an easy-to-understand manner.
Points revealed in this presentation
According to the official announcement, there are three main points:
- Roaming will continue after October: KDDI roaming will continue to be provided after October 2026.
- We are currently in the final adjustment stage: We are in the process of negotiating with KDDI regarding the specific terms and areas of the contract.
- Complementing areas that are difficult to cover: We will continue to focus on areas where it would take time to build in-house, such as mountainous areas, underground areas, and large commercial facilities.
Why do I need to extend my roaming contract?
Rakuten Mobile is proceeding with the construction of its own base stations across the country, but it will still take time to cover all areas with only its own lines.
This continuation of roaming does not mean that we will continue to rely on KDDI forever, but is a temporary supplementary measure until we complete the installation of our own base stations. KDDI’s network will be utilized primarily in the following areas until the company’s facilities are ready.
- Mountainous and depopulated areas: Because it takes time to construct our own base stations, we will use roaming to maintain our communication network until the construction is complete.
- Subways, underground malls, and inside large buildings: Indoor countermeasures take time to negotiate with rights holders and perform construction, so they are used as a link until the introduction of in-house equipment progresses.
- Platinum band maintenance area: We are proceeding with the expansion of base stations for the 700MHz band (platinum band), but this will cover the period until it is distributed nationwide.
Our policy is to gradually reduce our dependence on roaming as our company’s area expands, and this extension can only be seen as a transitional measure to ensure a smooth transition to our own lines.
Are there any effects on users or necessary procedures?
In conclusion, there is no need for any special procedures or settings changes on the user’s side.
- Impact on monthly charges and plans: With the “Rakuten Strongest Plan,” you can use unlimited data even in KDDI roaming areas. It is expected that unlimited usage will continue from October onwards.
- Connection switching: Automatic switching between Rakuten line and KDDI line will continue to be done automatically on the smartphone side as before.
How to check if it is a Rakuten line or KDDI roaming line
There is a way to determine whether the line you are currently connected to is Rakuten Mobile’s own line or KDDI roaming line by performing a field test on your iPhone. You can open the “Field Test” app by entering “*3001#12345#*” on the phone app’s keypad and tapping the call button.
Next, check the value of PLMN. If this value is “440 11”, it is Rakuten Mobile’s own line, and if it is “440 53”, it is KDDI’s roaming line.
Frequently asked questions about KDDI roaming
Will speed limits be reinstated in KDDI areas after October?
At this time, there are no plans to reinstate the previous restrictions. After transitioning to the “Rakuten Strongest Plan,” roaming areas will be unlimited, and it is thought that this discussion will maintain and adjust this framework.
Is there a possibility that the negotiations will drag on and suddenly become impossible?
There is very little concern about this. Since it has been officially announced that the service will continue, adjustments are being made to avoid sudden service interruptions.
Future points of interest and outlook
With this announcement, concerns about the radio wave situation from autumn onwards have been alleviated for the time being. However, there are cases where you may be out of range depending on your location.
If you use the dual SIM of Rakuten Mobile and povo that we introduced earlier, you can further reduce your concerns about radio waves. Furthermore, povo supports 5G SA, so you can communicate without being affected by 4G congestion.
Going forward, in addition to announcing the details of the official contract renewal with KDDI, the pace of expansion of Rakuten Mobile’s own platinum band base stations and further expansion of its own area will hold the key to improving communication quality and reducing costs.
Source: iPhone Mania
