Japan’s KDDI, in partnership with Okinawa Cellular, has embarked on a groundbreaking venture with Starlink to offer a direct-to-device satellite connectivity named au Starlink Direct. As of April 10, 2025, this service enables KDDI’s au smartphones to connect directly to Starlink satellites. This service comes at no additional charge to au users, promising extensive coverage even in regions where traditional networks falter.
The launch marks Japan’s first foray into direct satellite-to-cell connectivity. Users with compatible smartphones can now experience uninterrupted service with a view of the skies, even beyond conventional coverage zones. The benefits extend beyond mere text messaging. It allows for emergency earthquake alerts and sharing of one’s current location, bringing comfort during urgent situations. Android users benefit from text-based assistance from Google‘s AI, Gemini, enhancing user experience with task support.
Despite KDDI’s remarkable 99.9% population coverage, Japan’s challenging topography limits their area coverage to just 60%. The remaining 40% includes remote regions such as mountainous areas and campgrounds. Starlink’s satellite network bridges this gap, ensuring connectivity across the country, even in immensely secluded spots.
Expanding on this development, Gwynne Shotwell, President & COO of SpaceX, expressed enthusiasm for this innovative technology. “I’m very excited to bring direct-to-cell phone connectivity to Japan through KDDI, the first in Asia and one of the first in the world. Both Starlink and direct-to-cell are game-changing technologies, making connecting the unconnected simple and bringing potentially life-saving capability to the people of Japan for disaster and other emergency responses.”
