Distinguishing the network bands supported by Rakuten Mobile

Currently, Rakuten Mobile supports two main bands for 4G/LTE: Band 3 (1800 MHz) and Band 28 (700 MHz, Platinum Band).

This article will examine the technical specifications, performance, and practical applications. A detailed analysis is provided below.

1. Overview

• Band 3 (1800 MHz) :

  • This is Rakuten Mobile's primary frequency band for its 4G LTE network, used since the network's launch (2020).

  • Belonging to the mid-band frequency range, it is common in many countries for 4G networks.

  • Wide bandwidth (up to 20 MHz), supporting high speeds.

• Band 28 (700 MHz, Platinum Band) :

  • It is a low-band frequency network, commercially launched by Rakuten Mobile in June 2024.

  • Known as the "Platinum Band" due to its wide coverage and good penetration capabilities.

  • Narrower bandwidth (6 MHz), prioritizing improved coverage over speed.

2. Detailed comparison

frequency range

• • Band 3 (1800 MHz): Middle (mid-band), 1710–1880 MHz

  • Band 28 (700 MHz): Low (low-band), 703–803 MHz

Bandwidth

• • Band 3 (1800 MHz): Up to 20 MHz (Rakuten uses 20 MHz)

  • Band 28 (700 MHz): 6 MHz (more limited due to frequency allocation)

Theoretical speed

• • Band 3 (1800 MHz): Higher speeds, ~150–300 Mbps (depending on configuration)

  • Band 28 (700 MHz): Lower, ~30 Mbps (due to narrow bandwidth)

Actual speed

• • Band 3 (1800 MHz): 80–100 Mbps (based on users in Tokyo, 2024)
    Due to its wide bandwidth (20 MHz), Band 3 supports higher speeds, suitable for bandwidth-intensive applications such as 4K video streaming, large file downloads, or online gaming. According to user feedback on Reddit and Opensignal (2024), actual speeds in Tokyo typically reach 80–100 Mbps, sometimes up to 150 Mbps under good conditions.

  • Band 28 (700 MHz): 5–20 Mbps (preliminary report, 2024)
    With its narrow bandwidth (6 MHz), the theoretical maximum speed is only about 30 Mbps, and in practice it is usually 5–20 Mbps (according to preliminary reports). Band 28 is not designed to compete in speed but to improve coverage.

Coverage area

• • Band 3 (1800 MHz): Medium (~1–2 km in urban areas)
    The 1800 MHz frequency has a smaller coverage range, typically only effective within a radius of 1–2 km in urban areas. In rural areas, the fewer base stations make Band 3 signals more susceptible to interference.

  • Band 28 (700 MHz): Wider (~5–10 km, depending on terrain)
    The 700 MHz frequency offers a wider coverage range, up to 5–10 km, depending on terrain and base station power. This makes Band 28 ideal for rural areas or regions requiring long-range coverage.

Penetration

• • Band 3 (1800 MHz): Poor (weak indoors, in tall buildings)
    Due to its high frequency, Band 3 signals have difficulty penetrating obstacles such as concrete walls, thick glass doors, or inside tall buildings. This was the main reason Rakuten Mobile received complaints about weak indoor signals before Platinum Band was introduced.

  • Band 28 (700 MHz): Good (penetrates concrete and thick walls)
    The low frequency allows Band 28 signals to penetrate better, making them suitable for indoor coverage, basements, or densely populated urban areas. According to Rakuten (June 2024), Band 28 has significantly improved indoor experiences in Tokyo and Osaka.

Latency

Both bands have relatively low latency, but Band 3 is generally slightly better (~20–30 ms) due to its optimization for high speeds and typical operation in areas with strong infrastructure. Band 28 may have slightly higher latency (~30–40 ms) due to its lower speed and ongoing optimization.

• • Band 3 (1800 MHz): Low (~20–30 ms, depending on the area)

  • Band 28 (700 MHz): Similar or slightly higher (~30–40 ms)

Main applications

• • Band 3 (1800 MHz): High-speed internet, streaming, online gaming.

  • Band 28 (700 MHz): Indoor and rural coverage

Device support

• • Band 3 (1800 MHz): Very common (most 4G/5G phones)
    It is a globally popular frequency band, supported by most 4G/5G phones currently available (iPhone, Android, etc.).

  • Band 28 (700 MHz): Less common, requires compatible equipment.
    Less common, especially with international phones. Users need to check compatibility via network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp . Devices such as iPhone XR and later, Google Pixel 6+, or phones purchased from Rakuten usually support Band 28.

Progress of Rakuten Mobile rollout

• • Band 3 (1800 MHz): Dominant since 2020, supported by most stations.
    As the backbone of Rakuten Mobile's network since its inception, it's deployed across most base stations. According to CellMapper , this is the primary frequency band at most stations.

  • Band 28 (700 MHz): Newly deployed (June 2024), limited number of stations.
    Launched in June 2024, only a few stations in urban areas (Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama) have been upgraded to support it. Rakuten plans to gradually expand, but the number of Band 28 stations is still limited.

3. Advantages and disadvantages

Band 3 (1800 MHz)

• Advantage:

  • High speed, suitable for streaming, online gaming, and downloading large amounts of data.

  • Widely deployed, most Rakuten stations support this service.

  • Compatible with most modern devices.

• Disadvantages:

  • Limited coverage, weak signal in rural areas.

  • Poor penetration means the signal is easily attenuated indoors or in tall buildings.

Band 28 (700 MHz, Platinum Band)

• Advantage:

  • Wide coverage, suitable for rural and suburban areas.

  • Good penetration, improving signal strength indoors, in basements, and in crowded areas.

  • Save more energy on your phone when connected.

• Disadvantages:

  • Lower speeds, unsuitable for applications requiring high bandwidth.

  • The number of support stations is still small (as of 2024), and deployment is slow.

  • Some devices (especially international phones) may not be supported.

4. Conclusion

Band 3 is the primary choice for users in urban areas where Rakuten has a strong infrastructure (such as Tokyo and Osaka). It's suitable for high-speed tasks like watching 4K videos, gaming, or working remotely.

Band 28 was deployed to address the weaknesses of Band 3, particularly weak signals indoors and in rural areas. According to a report from Rakuten (June 2024), Band 28 improved the indoor experience in the Kanto region, but its lower speeds meant it was primarily used to ensure a stable connection rather than providing high bandwidth.

Combination: Rakuten is integrating both frequency bands to optimize the network. For example, Band 28 ensures basic coverage and connectivity, while Band 3 provides high speeds when the signal is strong.