―Including au Starlink Direct/au 5G Fast Lane/au Unlimited Data Overseas as a package, providing a means of contact in out-of-coverage areas, in congested areas, or overseas―
KDDI Corporation
Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company
KDDI and Okinawa Cellular announced the launch of the "au Value Link Plan" and "au Money Activity Value Link Plan" (hereafter "new plans"), the new price plans for au smartphones, on June 3, 2025.
In addition to unlimited data communication (
Note 1), the plan includes "au Starlink Direct", a direct communication service between satellite and au smartphones, "au 5G Fast Lane" for more comfortable communication even in congested areas, and "au Unlimited Data Overseas" for unlimited data communication overseas (up to 15 days per month (Note 2)).
What's more, "Subscription Plus Points," which allow users to accumulate up to 20% of Ponta points by subscribing to an eligible entertainment service, and "Ponta Pass," which offers discounts on purchases at Lawson and other stores/services, are also included.
To continue to provide stable and high-quality communications and services that users can use comfortably, on August 1, 2025, KDDI will revise the monthly pricing for current price plans, including "Unlimited MAX+" and "au Money Activity Plan+". Please refer to au website (in Japanese only) for the revised pricing. "au Starlink Direct" is currently available free of charge to au customers for the time being, and will be offered as a service included in the new plans from June 3 and the revised plans from August 1.
KDDI has been committed to providing users with the highest telecommunication quality, and au has been awarded the No. 1 global rating (Note 3) for the "Connected Experience" by Opensignal. Towards the realization of KDDI VISION 2030, "Creation of a society in which everyone can make their dreams a reality by enhancing the power to connect," we will continue to create new experience value.
■About the New Plan
In addition to unlimited data communication (Note 1), the following services are included.
1. Included Services
- (1) au Starlink Direct
The au Starlink Direct service allows au smartphones to directly connect to the Starlink satellite that supports direct telecommunications, enabling connectivity wherever there is a sight of sky, even outside the coverage area. In addition to text messaging (SMS/RCS/iMessage), users can share current location via text messaging applications, to search using Gemini on Android smartphones, and to receive Earthquake Early Warning/Tsunami Warning/J-Alerts.
- (2) au 5G Fast Lane
The au 5G Fast Lane service offers more comfortable communication during 5G connection. Users can watch videos while waiting for a train at a crowded station or post on social media at festivals and events.
The service will be available from July 1, 2025. A separate 5G SA contract and au 5G Fast Lane usage start-up procedures are required.
- (3) au Data Unlimited Overseas
The au Data Unlimited Overseas service offers users unlimited data usage (
Note 4) at overseas destinations by using the same au smartphone used in Japan. Tethering at the destination is also available, and if users have an au smartphone, users can use unlimited data on PCs, tablets, and other devices. The service will be available with no additional charge (up to 15 days per month) for new plan users, while it is normally offered for 1,200 yen per day (24 hours).
- (4) Subscription Plus Points
Subscription Plus Points allow users to accumulate Ponta Points by subscribing to eligible entertainment services (Apple Music/TELASA/Netflix/YouTube Premium). Ponta Points redemption rate will be enhanced from a maximum of 15% to a maximum of 20% from June 3, 2025. In addition, "Google One," which allows users to use Google's cloud storage and other services, will be added as an eligible service of Subscription Plus Points after the summer of 2025. KDDI will deliver attractive content including music, movies, dramas, and animation, as well as cutting-edge AI experiences at a discount.
- (5) Ponta Pass
Ponta Pass offers benefits that make shopping at Lawson even more advantageous, such as the free/discount coupon "Weekly LAWSON" that can be used at Lawson every week, "Ponta Pass Boost" that increases Ponta point redemption rate when making payments using au PAY at Lawson, and other benefits. Ponta Pass will be included as a set service of the new plan, while it is normally offered for 548 yen per month. Separate start-up procedures are required.
2. Monthly Fee
au Value Link Plan
Users can use smartphones with no concern for the data capacity limit. A discount of 1,650 yen will be automatically applied when the monthly data usage is 1GB or less. Users can save money by applying for "Family Discount Plus", "au Smart Value", and "au PAY Card Payment Discount".
For details, please refer to the "au Value Link Plan" at au website (in Japanese only).Before various discounts [1] 8,008 yen (7,280 yen without tax) Family Discount Plus [2] ( Note 5)-1,210 yen au Smart Value [3] ( Note 6)-1,100 yen au PAY Card Payment Discount [4] -220 yen After various discounts applied
([1] + [2] + [3] + [4])Usual 5,478 yen (4,980 yen without tax) Less than 1GB
(1,650 yen discount)3,828 yen (3,480 yen without tax) - *Call charges and other fees will apply separately.
au Money Activity Value Link Plan
In addition to being able to use smartphones with no concern for the data capacity limits, users who use a set of eligible financial services (credit card/smartphone payment/bank) can receive a variety of benefits, such as a total of up to 4,000 Ponta points redeemed each month depending on their usage status. Users can also enjoy a variety of benefits.
Please refer to au website (in Japanese only) for details of the benefits and other information on the "au Mane Life Value Link Plan".<Actual Amount to be Paid (image)>Before various discounts 9,328 yen (8,480 yen without tax) au Smart Value ( Note 6)-1,100 yen After various discounts applied [1] 8,228 yen (7,480 yen without tax) Benefits [2] Service Usage and Payment Point Benefits Up to 1,000 points per month au PAY Settlement Benefits Up to 1,500 points per month au PAY Card Settlement Benefits Up to 1,500 points per month Actual cost ([1] + [2]) 4,228 yen (3,480 yen without tax) - *Ponta points are equivalent to 1 point = 1 yen.
- *Ponta points will be redeemed later, and there are limits and conditions for applying Ponta points to au charges.
3. Service Start Date (Acceptance Start Date)
June 3, 2025
In addition, price plans including video and music services, such as "au Value Link Plan Netflix Pack (P)" and "au Money Activity Value Link Plan Netflix Pack (P)," will also be available from the same date.
■Revision of Current Price Plans
On August 1, 2025, we will change the service content of current price plans and revise monthly charges. Current users of the revised price plans will also be subject to the revision starting from August 2025.
Please refer to au website (in Japanese only) for more details.
Case Example: "Unlimited Usage MAX + 5G/4G" and "au Money Activity Plan + 5G/4G"
- <Service Overview>
In addition to the free use of "au Unlimited Overseas Service" (up to 15 days per month/normally offered at 1,200 yen for 24 hours), "au Starlink Direct", "au 5G Fast Lane" (
Note 7) and "Subscription Plus Points" will be included.
<Monthly charge for "Unlimited usage MAX+ 5G/4G">After revision Before revision Before various discounts [1] 7,788 yen
(7,080 yen without tax)7,458 yen
(6,780 yen without tax)Family Discount Plus [2] ( Note 5)-1,210 yen au Smart Value [3] ( Note 6)-1,100 yen au PAY Card Payment Discount [4] -220 yen After various discounts applied
([1] + [2] + [3] + [4])Usual 5,258 yen
(4,780 yen without tax)4,928 yen
(4,480 yen without tax)Less than 1GB
(1,650 yen discount)3,608 yen
(3,280 yen without tax)3,278 yen
(2,980 yen without tax)Available services included in price plans - au Starlink Direct
- au 5G Fast Lane
- au Unlimited Overseas Service
(up to 15 days per month) - Subscription Plus Points
(20% of Ponta points returned)
- Subscription Plus Points
(10% to 15% of Ponta points returned)
<Actual cost of "au Money Activity Plan + 5G/4G" (image)>After revision Before revision Before various discounts 9,108 yen
(8,280 yen without tax)8,778 yen
(7,980 yen without tax)au Smart Value ( Note 6)-1,100 yen After various discounts applied [1] 8,008 yen
(7,280 yen without tax)7,678 yen
(6,980 yen without tax)Benefits [2] Service Use
Payment Point BenefitsUp to 1,000 points per month au PAY Settlement Benefits Up to 1,500 points per month au PAY Card Settlement Benefits Up to 1,500 points per month Actual cost ([1] + [2]) 4,008 yen
(3,280 yen without tax)3,678 yen
(2,980 yen without tax)Available services included in price plans - au Starlink Direct
- au 5G Fast Lane
- au Unlimited Overseas Service
(up to 15 days per month) - Subscription Plus Points
(20% of Ponta points returned)
- Subscription Plus Points
(10% to 15% of Ponta points returned)
- *Ponta points are equivalent to 1 point = 1 yen.
- *Ponta points will be redeemed later, and there are limits and conditions for applying Ponta points to au charges.
Revision Date
August 1, 2025
- *The "au Unlimited Overseas Service" (up to 15 days per month) benefit will begin on June 1, the Subscription Plus Point enhancement will begin on June 3, and the "au 5G Fast Lane" will begin on July 1.
(Reference)
■KDDI's Efforts to Improve Communication Quality
In FY2024, KDDI expanded the usable area of Sub6 (3.7GHz/4.0GHz band), which provides high-capacity and high-speed 5G communications, by increasing the output power of base stations and optimizing antenna angles. In addition, 5G SA service has been launched in the entire Sub6 area.
In addition to this, we are working daily to improve communication quality by optimizing the entire network including 4G, increasing communication speed (throughput), and improving latency (delay). In the analysis of communication experience in the global market announced by Opensignal in February 2025, the company was ranked first in the world in three out of six categories. (Note 8)
- (Note 1)There is a data capacity limit (60GB/month) for tethering and data sharing. Monthly data usage exceeds 200GB.
If the communication speed exceeds the limit, the communication speed will be limited to a maximum of 5 Mbps until the end of the current month without affecting normal usage. The application of the limitation may be delayed or not applied depending on the condition of our facilities and other factors. Communication speed may be limited during busy periods. - (Note 2)Discount on unlimited overseas usage up to 18,000 yen per month. For same-day use (1,200 yen/day), 15 days are free.
- (Note 3)"Connected Experience" No. 1 global rating means more comfortable and stable support for customers when they connect to the network through au lines, based on the Global Mobile Network Experience Report "Reliability Experience" evaluation by Opensignal, etc. This refers to the realization of more comfortable and stable support for customers when they connect to the network through au lines. For more information, please visit the Opensignal website.
- (Note 4)Communication speed may be limited if there is a large amount of data communication within a certain period of time (in 24-hour units).
- (Note 5)If there are two family members eligible for Family Discount Plus, the discount is 660 yen; if there are three or more family members, the discount is 1,210 yen.
- (Note 6)Subscription to Internet service, etc. at the target home is required. Subscription example: In the case of au HIKARI Home Much Giga Value Plan (contract term: 3 years), a separate basic fee of 5,610 yen/month plus a monthly telephone usage fee of 770 yen/month (550 yen/month until June 2025) is required. A contract cancellation fee of 4,730 yen may be incurred upon cancellation of the Internet service, depending on the contract period.
- (Note 7)A separate 5G SA contract and au 5G Fast Lane usage start-up procedures are required.
- (Note 8)
- *All amounts shown are including tax unless otherwise noted.
- *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.