Japan’s Rakuten to debut satellite-to-cell service with Starlink rival AST

Space-based network rolls out as soon as this year, will support video calls Rakuten Group CEO Hiroshi Mikitani, left, shakes hands with AST SpaceMobile CEO Abel Avellan during an event in 2024. (Photo by Mai Ishitsubo) TOKYO — Japan's Rakuten Group plans to launch a direct-to-mobile satellite communications service as early as this year through a partnership with U.S. company AST SpaceMobile, competing directly with SpaceX's Starlink system.

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