Page 50 - SAMENA Trends - May 2025

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Japan’s KDDI Introduces Direct Mobile Phone Connections via SpaceX’s Starlink

Satellite Network

KDDI Corp. has started a service for the
direct connection of smartphones with the
Starlink satellite network of SpaceX of the
United States. It is the first time in Japan
that smartphone connection services us-
ing satellites has become available. Even
in places that were out of the service areas
of mobile phones in the nation, some kinds
of message information can be transmitted
and received. From summer this year, KDDI
will make it possible for its smartphone
subscribers to access the internet. Sub-
scribers to KDDI’s au brand smartphones
can use the new service free of charge for
the time being. Although applications do
not need to be made for the new service,
subscribers need to use iPhone models
of Apple Inc., Galaxy models of Samsung
Electronics Co. or other models that are
compatible with Starlink. In the direct con-
nection service, smartphone subscribers
can transmit and receive radio waves via
Starlink satellites without accessing wire- location information and receive emergen- Prior to rolling out the new service, KDDI
less access points. Even in out-of-service cy earthquake warnings. Subscribers using provided antennas for Starlink connection
places, such as mountainous areas and on smartphones with the Android operating to areas damaged by the Noto Peninsula
the sea, KDDI subscribers can transmit and system of Google LLC can send texts of Earthquake.
receive short message service texts, share questions to conversational AI programs.

NetOne Partners with US Satellite Giant to Launch 5G Services

Zimbabwean mobile network operator to reliable mobile broadband services," innovative satellite-based solutions to
NetOne has struck a groundbreaking part- Mushanawani said. He noted that the use Zimbabwe and empower businesses and
nership with United States-based satellite of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites would individuals with enhanced connectivity,"
telecommunications company AST Spac- allow NetOne to deliver high-speed 5G ser- Nalikka said. The collaboration is expect-
eMobile, paving the way for the rollout of vices without the need to build costly base ed to rapidly boost Zimbabwe's transition
fifth-generation (5G) mobile connectivity stations in rugged or remote areas. "What toward a digitally-enabled economy, pro-
across Zimbabwe. The strategic alliance we want to do is ensure network coverage viding tools for education, health services,
aims to bridge the digital divide and provide reaches almost every corner of the country. e-commerce, and financial inclusion in rural
fast, reliable broadband access to remote We're talking about digital communication areas. AST SpaceMobile has already estab-
and underserved communities, marking at fast speeds — 5G. We do not segregate lished global partnerships with major tele-
a transformative step in the country's dig- those in marginalised areas," Mushanawani communications players including Voda-
ital inclusion efforts. NetOne group chief explained. AST SpaceMobile, headquar- fone, AT&T, and Telefonica, and is poised
executive officer Raphael Mushanawani tered in Midland, Texas, is the developer to mobilise US$160 million in revenue
confirmed the partnership, describing it as of SpaceMobile, a satellite constellation this year as it scales up deployment of its
a milestone in efforts to expand the reach designed to enable direct-to-smartphone space-based broadband network. With this
of digital infrastructure beyond traditional broadband connectivity, especially in ar- partnership, NetOne now positions itself at
limits. "We are excited to partner with AST eas with little or no cellular infrastructure. the forefront of technological innovation in
SpaceMobile to revolutionise connectivity AST's vice-president of business develop- the region, accelerating Zimbabwe's prog-
in Zimbabwe. This collaboration aligns with ment, Paul Nalikka, said the company is ress toward universal internet access and
our vision of ensuring that every Zimba- committed to connecting the unconnected. setting the stage for digital transformation
bwean, regardless of location, has access "Partnering with NetOne allows us to bring across all sectors.

50 MAY 2025