Rakuten Mobile and AST SpaceMobile have successfully completed the first-ever broadband video call between unmodified smartphones in Japan using a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, marking a significant milestone in expanding mobile connectivity across the country. The test, held in April 2025, is a major step toward the launch of the Rakuten Saikyo Satellite Service Powered by AST SpaceMobile, which aims to enhance coverage in remote and disaster-prone areas of Japan.
As part of their strategic partnership, initiated in March 2020, Rakuten Group and AST SpaceMobile plan to offer satellite-to-mobile broadband services, including voice and video calls, in Japan by the fourth quarter of 2026. These services will use AST SpaceMobile’s LEO satellites and everyday smartphones. AST SpaceMobile’s commercial LEO BlueBird satellites were successfully launched on September 12, 2024.
During the test, radio signals were transmitted from Rakuten Mobile’s gateway station in Fukushima Prefecture to the BlueBird Block 1 satellite, which then relayed the signal to a smartphone in Tokyo. The test successfully demonstrated direct satellite-to-smartphone connectivity using a standard communication app on unmodified smartphones.
Mickey Mikitani, Chairman and CEO of Rakuten Group, expressed excitement over the achievement, emphasizing that the technology could be a game-changer for extending mobile coverage in Japan’s challenging remote and mountainous regions, especially in the face of natural disasters. Rakuten Mobile is committed to accelerating this project, ensuring that mobile communication is accessible to everyone.
Abel Avellan, Founder and CEO of AST SpaceMobile, highlighted that this milestone is a key part of their mission to eliminate coverage gaps and bridge the digital divide, thanks to their strong partnerships, including with Rakuten Mobile.
