Rakuten and Amazon race to bring satellite-based phone service to Japan https://t.co/qfwGDLEyFr
Rakuten and Amazon Compete to Launch Satellite Phone Service in Japan, According to Nikkei 🇯🇵
Rakuten And Amazon Race To Bring Satellite-Based Phone Service To Japan - Nikkei
Rakuten Group and Amazon.com intend to enter Japan’s satellite-based mobile communications market, aiming to begin commercial service as early as 2026, Nikkei reported. The companies plan to offer voice and data links that connect ordinary smartphones directly to low-earth-orbit satellites, extending coverage to remote islands and mountainous regions that lack terrestrial base stations. Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications will convene an expert panel as soon as September to set technical rules on spectrum bands and transmission power for direct-to-device satellite services. Formal licensing could follow once the framework is in place, clearing the way for market entry in 2026. The move would open competition in a segment where SpaceX’s Starlink currently holds a de-facto monopoly. Broader rival offerings are expected to lower prices and expand connectivity options for Japanese consumers and emergency responders.
