Satellite Direct-to-Device Connectivity (via AST SpaceMobile)
Rakuten Mobile
Space-based broadband cellular service delivered directly to standard smartphones across Japan without specialized hardware.
Technical specifications
- Technology
- Non-terrestrial network (NTN), LEO satellite cell towers
- Coverage target
- Japan (exclusive commercialization rights)
- Device requirement
- Standard off-the-shelf smartphones (no special hardware)
- Standards
- LTE; 5G NR planned
- Services
- Voice, SMS, broadband data
- Satellite operator
- AST SpaceMobile (strategic partner/investor)
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
About
Rakuten Mobile holds exclusive rights to market AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellite constellation services in Japan, enabling nationwide broadband cellular connectivity delivered directly to standard smartphones without any special device hardware or modification. AST SpaceMobile’s satellites function as cell towers in space, connecting directly to smartphones on the same frequencies used by terrestrial networks. Rakuten Mobile is integrating this capability into its cloud-native Open RAN network to provide seamless coverage across Japan’s mountainous and rural regions that lack terrestrial base station infrastructure. The service supports voice, data, and SMS on LTE and is being extended to 5G NR, enabling Rakuten’s goal of universal coverage across Japan.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.
