AST SpaceMobile has made history by successfully connecting a direct voice call between the United States and Japan via its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, using standard smartphones. The use of standard smartphones makes this a world first, as no one has previously achieved a direct voice connection from space to unmodified cellular devices. AST SpaceMobile partnered with some of its mobile operator partners, including AT&T, Rakuten, and Vodafone, to make the connection. The test call was made using AT&T spectrum and a Samsung Galaxy S22 smartphone in the Midland, Texas area, connecting to Rakuten in Japan. The successful test call validated AST SpaceMobile’s network architecture and systems, including its BW3 satellite, which it describes as the largest commercial communications array in low-earth orbit. The call also paves the way for space-based cellular broadband. AST SpaceMobile’s goal is to provide coverage to close to 50% of the world’s population…
Two Japanese companies, Rakuten Mobile and NEC Corporation, have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote Open RAN in mobile telecommunications markets worldwide. The MoU is based on Rakuten’s current partnership with NEC, where NEC supplies 5G radio equipment to the operator. The pair is also jointly working on developing a Rakuten standalone 5G core. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, Rakuten Mobile and NEC will continue to expand their local collaboration to provide 5G and 4G radios and engineering services for Open RAN systems that are compliant with O-RAN specifications. These services will be applicable to markets worldwide and will boost the global development of the Rakuten Communications Platform (RCP). RCP is Rakuten Mobile’s fully virtualized and containerized cloud-based mobile network platform, enabling telecom businesses to station virtual networks rapidly and inexpensively. Tareq Amin, executive vice president and CTO at Rakuten Mobile, said: “Rakuten…
Japan is leading the Asia-Pacific region in Open RAN (O-RAN) technology, showcasing its advanced role in integrating virtualized RAN (vRAN) solutions. Rakuten Mobile operates the world’s largest O-RAN network, influencing both domestic and global markets, with telecom giants like NTT Docomo, KDDI, and SoftBank gradually adopting these cutting-edge solutions.
Japan’s telecommunications scene shines with impressive achievements toward broad 5G coverage. SoftBank leads in network speeds, clocking at 62.05 Mbps, while Rakuten Mobile excels in 5G speeds with 128.39 Mbps downloads. However, 5G availability varies, with urban centers receiving priority investment. Despite a 98.4% 5G coverage, true 5G usage inconsistencies persist, highlighting the need for strategic rural advancements.
The transformational landscape of telecom testing is evolving with the complexities of AI-integrated, cloud-native networks. Continuous validation processes are replacing traditional verification, ensuring seamless cross-technology integration. AI enhances telecom testing by enabling systems to adapt and learn, while real-world performance is the key to unrivaled VoIP network quality.
The Radio Access Network market continues to thrive in 2025, with key players like Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia, ZTE, and Samsung steering the industry forward. The RAN sector is evolving through artificial intelligence and cloud-native technologies, especially in Asia-Pacific. Stay updated with the latest trends and insights in VoIP solutions.
As telecommunications swiftly evolve, Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile’s partnership is pivotal. By offering space-based cellular broadband, their agreement redefines access beyond traditional networks.
Aramco Digital is eyeing a $1 billion minority stake in Mavenir, potentially valuing the telecom tech firm at $3 billion. Struggling with debt, Mavenir seeks urgent funding amid slow Open RAN adoption.
Kyocera, a prominent player in the telecom sector, is making waves by divesting a part of its KDDI stake to strengthen financial dynamics. This strategic move is key for VoIP advancements, as Kyocera enhances its focus on core telecom offerings.
Stage X, poised to become South Korea’s fourth mobile network operator, is now facing the revocation of its license due to financial discrepancies. The government is reportedly on the verge of pulling the plug on the firm’s spectrum rights, according to Yonhap news agency, which cited a statement from the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT).

