Rakuten Mobile and AST SpaceMobile have held the first-ever video call in Japan using a low Earth orbit satellite and unmodified smartphones.
Takeaway Points
- The call was held in April 2025.
- Rakuten Mobile, Inc., is a Rakuten Group company responsible for mobile communications, centered on its mobile network operator (MNO) business.
Rakuten and AST SpaceMobile
Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s newest and most modern mobile network, on Wednesday announced the successful completion of the first-ever broadband video call with AST SpaceMobile, the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard mobile phones, everyday unmodified smartphones in Japan using a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, held in April 2025.
Mickey Mikitani, Chairman and CEO of Rakuten Group, said, “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, remarked, “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.”
First-Ever Video
According to the report, during the test, radio waves were transmitted from Rakuten Mobile’s gateway earth station in Fukushima Prefecture to a BlueBird Block 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 test was conducted after securing a preliminary license for an experimental test station, Rakuten said.
Rakuten Mobile said it plans to get a full experimental test station license and continue further communication testing.
About AST SpaceMobile
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.
About Rakuten Mobile
Rakuten Mobile, Inc. is a Rakuten Group company responsible for mobile communications, centered on its mobile network operator (MNO) business. Through continuous innovation and the deployment of advanced technology, Rakuten Mobile aims to redefine expectations in the mobile communications industry in order to provide appealing and convenient services for diverse customer needs.
