NTT Docomo and Starlink Japan announce enhancements to next-generation satellite communication service "docomo Starlink Direct"

NTT Docomo and NTT Docomo Business announced on August 14 that they have reached an agreement with Starlink Japan (Japanese subsidiary of U.S. Space Exploration Technologies) to use the next-generation communications satellite ``Starlink Mobile V2''. This is an effort to expand the functionality of ``docomo Starlink Direct,'' a direct satellite/smartphone communication service, and services using this satellite are scheduled to begin providing in fiscal 2028.

docomo Starlink Direct is available to all price plan subscribers, including ``ahamo'', with no application required or free of charge, and a total of 6.5 million people have been able to connect in the three months since the service began on April 27th. Through this partnership, users will be able to use voice calls and web browsing, which are not currently supported, and are expected to improve convenience as a means of communication and information acquisition.

In addition, Starlink Mobile V2 is expected to use IoT devices (M2M communication), and plans to provide solutions that enable data collection and remote monitoring in locations where it is difficult to secure a communication environment, such as mountainous areas, remote islands, and the ocean.