Japan's KDDI Expands Starlink Direct-to-Cell Overseas Coverage

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 27, KDDI and Okinawa Cellular confirmed the expansion of the overseas coverage of their "au Starlink Direct" direct-to-cell satellite service, adding the Philippines and New Zealand starting August 31. With this addition, the service's overseas roaming now covers four countries: the United States, Canada, the Philippines, and New Zealand. Users in areas without terrestrial mobile network coverage can connect directly to the Starlink Mobile satellite network via compatible smartphones.

This expansion targets users who already use au Starlink Direct in Japan. In areas with insufficient terrestrial cellular coverage in the Philippines and New Zealand, users can connect via satellite to use supported applications for text messaging, location sharing, and light data communication, provided they have a relatively clear view of the sky. At this stage, no additional activation procedures are required, and satellite data connectivity is temporarily free of charge.

KDDI has partnered with Globe Telecom in the Philippines and Spark New Zealand in New Zealand to provide direct-to-cell satellite roaming. Previously, the company offered services in the United States via T-Mobile's related satellite network, and added Canada to its coverage in June this year in partnership with Rogers Communications. In April, KDDI had planned to add the Philippines and New Zealand to its overseas roaming system within 2026; both locations were officially launched on August 31, with New Zealand's launch coming earlier than the previously announced "within the year" schedule.

Regarding device compatibility, as of August 31, supported models in the Philippines include the Google Pixel 11 series, AQUOS sense10, and AQUOS sense9; in New Zealand, the initial supported models include the Pixel 11 series and AQUOS sense10. The range of compatible devices will continue to expand.

au Starlink Direct first launched cross-border direct-to-cell satellite roaming in the United States in March this year, marking a significant milestone in KDDI's expansion of international satellite communication services. The service requires no additional satellite terminal—compatible phones can connect directly to Starlink Direct to Cell satellites, helping to fill coverage gaps in mountainous areas, islands, wilderness, and other remote regions where traditional mobile networks are unavailable. With the addition of the Philippines and New Zealand, KDDI's direct-to-cell satellite service has gradually evolved from single-country cross-border roaming into an operator partnership network spanning North America and multiple markets in the Asia-Pacific region.