"With Rakuten, we have the world's only OpenRAN expert on our side who really has extensive practical experience with this new technology. Rakuten ideally complements our know-how in telecommunications networks, data centers and cloud applications. Together we are building a high-performance mobile network that has extensive automation and agility to fully exploit the potential of 5G," says Ralph Dommermuth, CEO of 1&1 AG. "Through complete virtualization and the use of standard hardware, we can flexibly combine the best products. This will make us a manufacturer-independent innovation driver in the German and European mobile market."