―Aiming to offer high-speed broadband and voice calling on mobile phones in non-terrestrial areas by the end of 2027―
KDDI Corporation
On August 10, 2026, KDDI concluded a service agreement with SpaceX to provide the next-generation "Starlink Mobile V2" satellites. The new technology will enable full cellular coverage with high-speed internet connectivity and native voice calling through "au Starlink Direct," a direct-to-device communication service, which today provides customers with light data and messaging capabilities.
Since forming a business partnership in 2021, KDDI and Starlink have pursued a range of initiatives. This started with the adoption of Starlink broadband as backhaul support for au base stations, and over the years evolved to deploy the first domestic launch of "Starlink Business" for corporations and local governments, and the free provision of Starlink kits to evacuation shelters during disasters.
Since April 2025, the partnership expanded to satellite-to-mobile service in which KDDI has been offering "au Starlink Direct". In 2026, KDDI broadened its use cases to include international access in other countries that enable Starlink Mobile, emergency access from out-of-coverage areas, and direct communication with IoT devices, contributing not only to customer safety and security but also to the resolution of social issues such as regional infrastructure resilience, disaster prevention, and wildlife damage countermeasures.
Building on the strong partnership with Starlink to date, KDDI will continue to expand the experience of being "connected anywhere as long as you can see the sky" through the conclusion of this Asia-first agreement (
Note). Going forward, KDDI with Starlink will forge ahead in the domains of satellite communications, striving to deliver new value and contribute to the realization of a safe, secure, and connected society for all customers. KDDI is also exploring AI and data utility for future opportunities.
■Key Features of Starlink Mobile V2
The next-generation "Starlink Mobile V2" service aims to deploy global and contiguous coverage with satellites that are 100x more capable than current V1 satellites. The V2 service will enable native voice calls over satellite, streaming, internet browsing and high-speed apps, just like being connected to a terrestrial network. KDDI aims to begin providing Starlink Mobile V2 by the end of 2027 in areas outside mobile coverage, such as mountainous regions and remote islands.
■Comments from Key Executives
- Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO, SpaceX
"We are grateful to KDDI for trusting us to deliver resilient connectivity to their customers with our next-gen V2 technology. We are excited to open this next chapter with KDDI on Starlink's next-gen mobile broadband technology, pushing the boundaries of what possible and creating a seamless experience for their customers no matter where they are."
- Hiromichi Matsuda, President and CEO, KDDI Corporation
"Since 2021, our partnership with SpaceX has grown stronger and more ambitious. At Starbase, I shared a vision with President Shotwell to expand the company's connectivity plans―spanning Starlink Mobile V2, xAI, and extending these capabilities into space. This vision strongly aligns with KDDI's ambition to build next-generation infrastructure for an AI-native society. The Starlink Mobile V2 agreement marks a new chapter as we push the boundaries of connectivity and create new value for the future."
(Reference) Major Starlink initiatives to date
- September 13, 2021―News Release
KDDI selects SpaceX's Starlink for cellular backhaul - October 12, 2022―News Release
KDDI to Offer SpaceX's Starlink to Enterprise and Civil Government Customers - December 1, 2022―News Release
KDDI launches the 1st Mobile Tower powered by SpaceX's Starlink in Japan - January 7, 2024―News Release
Starlink and KDDI provide 350 Starlink units free of charge to evacuation shelters on the Noto Peninsula (in Japanese only) - April 10, 2025―News Release
au Expands Coverage to Cover All of Japan with au Starlink Direct, a Direct to Cell Satellite Service - March 4, 2026―News Release
au Starlink Direct Launches the World's First International Roaming Connectivity - April 23, 2026―News Release
KDDI Establishes the "au Starlink Direct SOS Center" to Receive and Coordinate Emergency SOS Communications from Areas Without Terrestrial Coverage (in Japanese only) - April 23, 2026―News Release
Japan's First: "au Starlink Direct" Expands Connectivity to IoT Devices (in Japanese only) - July 22, 2026―News Release
Successful Demonstration of Drone Operations Using "au Starlink Direct" Connectivity in Areas Without Terrestrial Coverage (in Japanese only)
- (Note)Based on KDDI research as of September 15, 2026.
- *The information contained in the articles is current at the time of publication.
Products, service fees, service content and specifications, contact information, and other details are subject to change without notice.
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