New Business Opened by Satellite Communication: The Arrival of an Era Where Smartphones Connect Directly to Space
Have you ever imagined a future where your smartphone, showing "No Service" in deep mountains or on remote islands, suddenly switches to "Satellite Communication" mode and allows you to communicate? This dream-like technology finally became a reality in 2025.
What has changed from conventional satellite communication?
Until now, satellite communication required dedicated antennas and terminals. It is easy to understand if you imagine the large parabolic antennas seen at evacuation centers during disasters or the satellite phones used on ships. However, the new satellite communication service that began in 2025 is a revolutionary technology that allows the smartphones we use every day to communicate directly with satellites.
KDDI's "au Starlink Direct," launched in April 2025, is the world's first direct data communication service between smartphones and satellites.
With this service, as long as you have a view of the sky, you can check your current location on Google Maps, post information on X, or check the weather on Weathernews, even in mountainous areas or on remote islands that were previously out of service. It covers over 50 compatible smartphone models and approximately 6 million devices, and au users can use it without needing to sign up.
Why Japanese mobile carriers are entering the market one after another
Although Japan's population coverage rate exceeds 99.9%, the area coverage rate remains at approximately 60%. To cover the remaining 40% of the area, each company is focusing on satellite communication.
Rakuten Mobile partnered with AST SpaceMobile and succeeded in the first video call between a low-Earth orbit satellite and a commercially available smartphone in Japan in April 2025.
SoftBank and NTT Docomo are also planning to start commercial services from 2026, and the Japanese mobile phone industry has entered an "era of satellite communication competition."
A market where vast business opportunities are born
The satellite communication market is growing rapidly and is projected to reach approximately 54 million dollars (about 780 billion yen) by 2030.
https://www.pwc.com/jp/ja/knowledge/column/awareness-cyber-security/satellite-communication01.html
Supporting this growth is low-Earth orbit satellite constellation technology. As of the summer of 2023, SpaceX's Starlink has launched over 5,000 low-Earth orbit satellites and provides services in over 60 countries around the world.
For Japanese companies, this market is a major opportunity. While developing and operating satellites requires enormous capital, there are entry opportunities in diverse fields such as ground infrastructure development, application development, and space debris removal technology. In particular, the precision technology and asteroid exploration technology in which Japan excels have a significant competitive advantage in the debris removal field.
Possibilities expanding through fusion with 5G/6G
Satellite communication is not a standalone service; it demonstrates its true value by merging with 5G and future 6G networks.
By "blending" terrestrial communication networks and satellite communication networks, users will be able to enjoy a seamless communication environment without being aware of it. This is a technology called "Direct-to-Cellular," where the smartphone automatically selects the optimal communication method.
For companies, building a private 5G network via satellite will enable business expansion in regions that were previously inaccessible. It is expected to be utilized in various industries, such as IoT for agriculture, remote monitoring of construction sites, and fishery management at sea.
Demonstrating power during disasters
During the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, in areas where base stations were no longer functional, dedicated terminals for the "Starlink" satellite communication service were provided to evacuation centers and emergency medical sites to secure a communication environment.
If direct communication between smartphones and satellites becomes commonplace, communication means can be secured immediately without the need for dedicated terminals, even during disasters. This is also an extremely important technology for corporate BCP (Business Continuity Plan) measures.
Technical Challenges and the Path to Solutions
Satellite communication also has challenges that need to be addressed. These include communication latency, degradation of communication quality during bad weather, and power consumption issues.
However, the use of low-Earth orbit satellites has significantly improved latency issues, and these challenges are gradually being resolved through network optimization using AI technology.
The introduction of quantum entanglement technology is also progressing, and dramatic improvements in security are expected.
The Democratization of the Space Industry Begins
Thanks to reusable rocket technology, the cost of launching satellites has been significantly reduced. It is becoming easier for private companies to enter the space industry, which was previously led by nations.
In Japan, many startups are also taking on the challenge of space business, and satellite communication is evolving from a mere means of communication into a platform for creating new business models.
Summary: A New Chapter in a Connected World
Satellite communication technology brings great value to society as a whole, such as bridging the digital divide, strengthening disaster response, and creating new business models. 2025 will likely be etched in history as the 'first year of direct connection between smartphones and space'.
For those of you interested in space business, satellite communication is not just a technology trend, but a treasure trove of new business opportunities. Now is the perfect time to explore the possibilities of satellite communication so as not to miss the wave of this technological innovation.
'If you can see the sky, you can connect anywhere'—I look forward to seeing how this reality will change our business and lives, and I have high expectations for future developments.
Reference Articles
○ World's first, au Starlink Direct satellite data communication started (August 28, 2025)
○ The 2025 Satellite Communication Revolution: Future Communication Infrastructure Opened Up by Next-Generation Technology (Publication date unknown)
○ 2024 Edition NTN/Satellite Communication Market Overview: 5G Communication Expanding and Developing via Space/Stratospheric Communication Networks (Publication date unknown)
○ Expanding Space Business and Japanese Companies (1) Opened by Satellite Constellations (January 16, 2024)
○ Satellite Communication Business Models and Cyber Risks in Japan (Publication date unknown)
https://www.pwc.com/jp/ja/knowledge/column/awareness-cyber-security/satellite-communication01.html
○ Communication Satellites as Social Infrastructure (June 21, 2023)
○ The Future of the Internet Transformed by Communications Satellites | New Convenience Spreading Beyond Urban Areas (Date of publication unknown)
○ What is Satellite Communication? An Easy-to-Understand Explanation of What Can Be Achieved Through Direct Communication with Smartphones (2 weeks ago)
○ Rakuten Mobile and US-based AST SpaceMobile Successfully Conduct First Video Call in Japan via Direct Communication Test Between Low Earth Orbit Satellites and Commercial Smartphones (April 23, 2025)