Reimagining Consumer Services in an AI-First World

Why It Matters

The approach shows how a telco can use AI and a broader consumer ecosystem to unlock new revenue streams and customer lifetime value while addressing social challenges of an aging population; it’s a blueprint for combining data-driven monetization with inclusive service design.

Summary

Rakuten Mobile chief AI and data officer Sachin Varma described how the company has built a foundational data and AI platform to turn group-wide consumer data into actionable insights and business outcomes, from marketing and sales to efficiency gains. Leveraging Rakuten’s unique OTT-first heritage and group ecosystem, the team aims to create differentiated monetization paths while respecting privacy and consent. Varma highlighted demographic strategies: heavy youth data usage in urban centers, an expanded rural retail footprint (658+ shops) and tailored senior offerings — including lower‑cost plans, accessibility features (hearing support, translation) and fraud-protection services. The initiative ties AI, product design and offline channels to boost adoption across age groups and deepen group-level customer engagement.

Original Description

Radisys CEO Arun Bhikshesvaran sat down with Rakuten Mobile’s Chief AI and Data Officer Sachin Verma for a “Coffee, Chai & Chat” podcast at MWC Barcelona. They discussed how AI-enhanced digital services, and the ways in which Rakuten Mobile is leveraging Radisys’ Engage Digital Platform (EDP) to enable new network monetization models.