Japan's Rakuten delays 5G rollout by 3 months over coronavirus

Indian lockdown disrupts software development

20200515N 5G tower (REUTERS)

A 5G tower in the U.S.: Rakuten's bigger rivals have already launched 5G connection in Japan. © Reuters

AKIHIRO OTA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Rakuten announced Friday that it will postpone the launch of its 5G mobile network planned for June by three months, citing development disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

The e-retailer fully launched its mobile service in April, six months later than it originally planned. Another delay could deal a heavy blow to consumer confidence in its services.

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