"au Starlink Direct" Now Available to Other Carrier Users,Connecting the Unconnected with a Direct to Cell Satellite Service
KDDI Corporation
Tokyo, May 7, 2025― Starting today, KDDI will offer the Direct to Cell Satellite service "au Starlink Direct" to customers using UQ mobile/povo and other carriers.
"au Starlink Direct" uses existing au network to connect smartphones directly to Starlink satellites with direct to cell, enabling communication even in out-of-coverage areas, as long as the sky is visible. "au Starlink Direct" allows text messaging and location sharing and others, even when carrier service is unavailable. 1GB data for use in au service area is also included.
Although the population coverage rate of Japanese carriers exceeds 99.9%, Japan's unique terrain presents challenges for area coverage. "au Starlink Direct" provides coverage across Japan, including mountainous regions, islands, campsites, and seas, providing a means of contact with family and friends and emergency use.
KDDI will expand au's coverage nationwide, bringing the experience of "Connecting the Unconnected. wherever you see the sky."
■au Starlink Direct Overview for Users of Other Carriers
1. Available Services
- *Via text messaging apps
1GB data for use in au's 4G LTE area is also included.
2. Eligible Users
Non-au Customers (including UQ mobile and povo users)
3. Supported Areas
All regions of Japan (47 prefectures and territorial waters)
- *Excluding au 5G/4G areas
4. Eligible Devices
Google Pixel 9 series
iPhone 16 lineup
iPhone 15 lineup
iPhone 14 lineup
(As of May 2025, 18 models)
- *Devices purchased from retailers other than "au" are also eligible.
5. How to Apply
You can apply at au stores or au Online Shop [
3]
A dedicated SIM card or eSIM will be provided. The contract handling fee of 3,850 yen will be reimbursed as an au PAY balance.
6. Pricing
1,650 yen/month
550 yen/month for UQ mobile Toku-Toku plan/Komi-Komi value plan users
Apply by June 30 to get the first six months free.
Please refer to the "au Starlink Direct" service page for details.
(Reference)
■Efforts to expand au coverage areas
KDDI is actively expanding the coverage areas along everyday routes, such as railway lines and business districts to connect customers' daily lives. In addition, to connect customers' non-daily activities, KDDI is taking measures for telecommunications utilizing vehicle-mounted base stations and Starlink for mountainous areas and outdoor events where it is difficult to install fiber-optic communication. Furthermore, to expand the au coverage area to all of Japan, KDDI is starting to provide direct telecommunications service between satellites and smartphones. The service will bring the experiences of "being connected in daily life," "being connected in non-daily activities," and "being connected wherever you can see the sky."
- [1]SMS and RCS are available on Android smartphones, while SMS and iMessage can be used on iPhones.
- [2]J-Alert support on Google Pixel devices will be coming soon.
- [3]au stores will only start accepting applications from May 9, 2025.
- *Depending on the satellite communication quality, it may take some time to send or receive a text message, and the connection may be unstable.
- *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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