Use of satellite broadband through a business partnership with Starlink

「従来のメッセージ送受信や対応アプリによるデータ通信に加え、日常利用により近い高速なブロードバンド通信と音声通話（VoLTE）の2027年内提供をめざすとした。」

「In August this year, we enhanced “au Starlink Direct” and launched satellite data communications, the first service of its kind in the world (Note 6). In addition to messaging, which was already available, selected devices can now use data communications through map, weather and disaster-prevention, outdoor, news, social media and mountaineering-information apps, among others.」

「In April this year, au smartphones connected directly to Starlink satellites for direct communications, and we launched “au Starlink Direct,” which enables users to send and receive text messages even in areas without coverage when the sky is visible.」

「Following the Reiwa 6 Noto Peninsula Earthquake that occurred in January this year, together with Starlink Japan合同会社, SpaceX’s Japanese subsidiary, we used Starlink to support medical activities by Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT), provide backhaul connections for vehicle-mounted, portable and shipborne base stations during coverage restoration, and provide service to evacuation shelters, the Self-Defense Forces, local governments and electric power companies.」

「We plan to launch a direct communications service between satellites and smartphones this year (Note 3). SpaceX launched the first of the advanced satellites enabling this service in January this year. Going forward, we will conduct technical verification and expand coverage nationwide through additional satellite launches, creating an experience where “you can connect anywhere as long as you can see the sky.”」

「In addition, in August this year, we entered into a new business partnership with Space Exploration Technologies Corp. to provide a direct communications service between au smartphones and satellites. This will enable us to expand coverage nationwide to areas where no telecommunications operator has previously been able to provide 5G or 4G LTE service, creating an experience where “you can connect anywhere as long as you can see the sky.” The service is scheduled to launch by the end of 2024.」

「In May this year, we began offering “Mountain Hut Wi-Fi” on a trial basis using “Starlink,” in cooperation with YAMAP Inc., to improve communications at mountain huts where signal reception is difficult. Starting with Happoike Sanso in Hakuba Village, we will gradually expand the number of mountain huts where the service is available.」

「By using the satellite broadband internet service “Starlink” as the backhaul connection for the au network, we will deploy base stations at approximately 1,200 locations nationwide, including mountainous areas and islands where service provision had previously been considered difficult. In addition, we will gradually introduce vehicle-mounted and portable base stations using “Starlink” nationwide. When natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons occur, we aim to restore communications quickly by deploying these base stations in areas without coverage.」

「In addition, since December last year, we have operated a base station on Hatsushima Island in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, using the satellite broadband internet service “Starlink” as the backhaul connection for the au network. We aim to enable customers to experience au’s high-speed communications anywhere in Japan, including mountainous areas, islands and other locations where service provision had previously been considered difficult, as well as during natural disasters, and will gradually expand the service to approximately 1,200 locations nationwide.」

「We entered into a business partnership with SpaceX’s satellite broadband service “Starlink,” with the aim of providing communications infrastructure that remains connected even during disasters.」