THE TELCO INTERVIEW
“My market was only my customers or travellers coming to Japan. Now, my market is global”
Tarek Zeid, Senior Vice President of International Business, Rakuten Mobile
Innovation over price competition The influx of new eSIM providers has sparked aggressive price competition, which Tarek views as unsustainable.“ Players are burning the market to build a customer base,” he says.“ What I want to see is real competition based on innovation. I’ m okay with downloading an application and using eSIM because it offers me something different, not just a cheaper price.”
Future competition, he argues, must focus on user experience, application design and value-added services. Some successful players are already evolving into Mobile
Virtual Network Operators( MVNOs) to access local IMSI numbers and compete more effectively.
“ Pricing competition can’ t last forever,” Tarek adds.“ Eventually, everyone reaches a point where lowering prices further means losing money.”
For operators in mature markets like Japan, with a population of around 124 million, eSIM and AI represent an opportunity to expand beyond national borders.“ My market was only my customers or travellers coming to Japan,” Tarek concludes.“ Now, my market is global.”
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