Today's Learning 168 [Starting April 27] The Truth About Docomo x Starlink: The 'Real Capability' of an Era Where No-Service Zones Disappear

“Finally, no-service zones will disappear.”
That is the pitch behind Docomo's new service that is currently making waves.

It is docomo Starlink Direct

—a system where your smartphone connects directly to “satellites in space” using Starlink.

■ What will change?

　To put it simply:
　　👉 You will be able to communicate even in no-service zones

　Until now,
　　- Mountains
　　- The ocean
　　- During disasters
　Communication was completely impossible in these places.

　However, with this new system,
　　👉 Communication is possible as long as you can see the sky.

　This is a pretty big deal.

■ What you can do (Reality)

　However, we need to be realistic here.

　What you can do at this moment is:
　　- SMS (sending and receiving messages)
　　- Sharing location information
　　- Receiving emergency alerts

In short, it is a “minimal means of communication.”

■ What you cannot do (Important)

　If you misunderstand this, you will be disappointed.
　　- Voice calls (phone) → Cannot do
　　- Videos → Impossible
　　- SNS/Internet → Almost unusable

　The communication speed is quite slow, and it cannot replace your everyday internet usage.

■ Why is it slow?

　The reason is simple.
　Because your smartphone is communicating directly with “space”
　　- The distance is far
　　- The antenna is small

　In other words, it is not suited for high-capacity communication.

■ Most important: “Sky conditions”

　The essence of this service lies here.
　　👉It won't work if you can't see the sky

　○ Places where it works
　　　- Parks
　　　- The ocean
　　　- Mountains
　　👉 Places with a wide view of the sky

　⚠️ Tricky places
　　　- Residential areas
　　　- Places with power lines or trees
　　👉 It connects, but it is unstable

　❌ Impossible places
　　　- City centers with buildings
　　　- Inside forests
　　　- Indoors
　　👉 Almost unusable

　What is even more important is
　　👉 You need a view of the sky not just directly above, but also “diagonally above”

　Since satellites are moving, a wide field of view is required.

■ So, is it meaningful?

　The conclusion is clear.
　　👉 It is extremely meaningful

　Because this is
　　👉 Infrastructure that turns 0 into 1

　In places that were previously “completely unreachable”
　　👉 You can now connect at a minimum level

　Just how big is that?

■ Situations where it is especially valuable

　　- Mountain climbing
　　- Fishing
　　- Camping
　　- During disasters
　　　👉 “A level that can determine life or death”

■ What will happen in the future?

　This is still a technology in evolution.
　　- Voice call support
　　- Improved communication speed
　There is a possibility that it will evolve significantly in the future.

■ Summary

　To describe this service in one phrase:
　　👉 “The first step toward eliminating no-service zones”

　However, the reality is
　　👉 It is not a cure-all

　✔ Everyday use → Don't expect too much
✔ Emergencies → Top-class

　Whether you understand this gap or not will
　greatly change your evaluation.

　“The era where no-service zones disappear” has begun.
　However, it is not yet the “final form.”