Rakuten Mobile and AST SpaceMobile Successfully Hold First-Ever Video Call in Japan Using Low Earth Orbit Satellite and Unmodified Smartphones

April 23, 2025

Rakuten Mobile and AST SpaceMobile announced the successful completion of the first-ever broadband video call between everyday unmodified smartphones in Japan*1 using a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, held in April 2025.

The video call marks a major step toward the launch of Rakuten Saikyo Satellite Service Powered by AST SpaceMobile*2, which aims to expand connectivity across Japan – including mountainous regions, remote islands and in emergency situations such as areas affected by natural disasters. 

As part of their strategic partnership*3 launched in March 2020, Rakuten Group and AST SpaceMobile aim to provide satellite-to-mobile broadband services (voice calls, video calls and more) in Japan starting in the fourth quarter of 2026, using AST SpaceMobile’s LEO satellites and everyday smartphones*4. AST SpaceMobile successfully launched its commercial LEO BlueBird satellites on September 12, 2024*5.

During the test, radio waves were transmitted from Rakuten Mobile's gateway earth station in Fukushima Prefecture to a BlueBird Block 1 satellite, which then relayed the signal to a smartphone. This enabled broadband communication between Fukushima and Tokyo using a standard communication app on an everyday unmodified smartphone, successfully demonstrating direct satellite-to-smartphone connectivity.

The video call was completed on standard, unmodified smartphones available in Japan. The test was conducted after securing a preliminary license for an experimental test station. Rakuten Mobile plans to obtain a full experimental test station license and continue further communication testing.

Regarding the milestone, Mickey Mikitani, Chairman and CEO of Rakuten Group, commented, “We are delighted to achieve the first-ever mobile broadband video call in Japan between a smartphone and satellite, proving this groundbreaking technology once again. In Japan, Rakuten Mobile is adopting various strategies to broaden our network’s reach. It can be challenging to extend coverage to remote and mountainous areas due to the difficulties in constructing base stations in these remote places. Japan is also a country prone to natural disasters and people's awareness of the effects of climate change and increasingly severe disasters is increasing year by year. We’re democratizing the mobile industry – Rakuten Mobile will continue to accelerate this project until we realize a future in which mobile communication is accessible to all.”

Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile, commented, “AST SpaceMobile’s journey to connect the unconnected reaches new milestones thanks to the commitment and strength of our strategic partnerships. These partners, including Rakuten Mobile, believe wholeheartedly in our mission to build the first and only space-based cellular broadband network to eliminate coverage gaps and bridge the digital divide.”

Rakuten Mobile and AST SpaceMobile’s ongoing collaboration promises to transform connectivity in Japan, ensuring Rakuten Mobile customers can enjoy convenient and reliable communication services anywhere they need.

Notes

*1 Communication between mobile broadband networks transmitted from space and commercially available smartphones. Source: AST SpaceMobile research, as of April 2025.

*2 Rakuten Mobile aims to offer the strongest satellite-to-mobile service in Japan. Frequency band used in the service and other details, including timing and price, are to be determined.

*3 Press release: Rakuten and Vodafone Invest in AST & Science’s Space Venture to Reach More People, Devices and Places with Mobile Coverage

*4 Press release: Rakuten Mobile Announces Plans to Provide Satellite-to-Mobile Service in Japan with AST SpaceMobile Starting in 2026

*5 AST SpaceMobile press release: AST SpaceMobile Announces Successful Orbital Launch of Its First Five Commercial Satellites 

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