On August 30, KDDI announced a business alliance with SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies) to provide direct communication services between satellites and smartphones. The two companies aim to provide the service within 2024.
KDDI has been utilizing SpaceX’s “Starlink” satellite communication service to extend communication coverage to mountainous areas and remote islands where radio waves cannot reach from its base stations.
Until now, services have been provided by installing Starlink antennas and converting them to 4G/5G and Wi-Fi, but the new service to be realized through the partnership will be in the form of direct communication between smartphones and satellites.
The plan is to start the service by sending/receiving messages such as SMS, followed by voice calls and data communications. Since the service uses existing cell phone frequency bands, au smartphones can be used without modification.
© Source travel watch