SoftBank to Soon Announce Direct Smartphone-to-Starlink Satellite Service

SoftBank will offer a direct smartphone-to-Starlink satellite communication service and will announce start-date details soon.

Compatible devices will be able to send text messages and use data for some apps in areas without ground coverage, such as mountains, islands, offshore, and disaster zones.

The service works outside SoftBank coverage where there is a clear line to satellites, but it does not support voice or emergency calls.

KDDI already launched au Starlink Direct in April 2025, and NTT DoCoMo announced docomo Starlink Direct starting April 27.