KDDI and Okinawa Cellular announced that beginning in June 2026, they will expand international roaming for “au Starlink Direct subscribers.”
In addition to the United States, the service will be extended to include Canada, the Philippines and New Zealand, bringing the total number of supported countries to four.
All customers subscribed to “au Starlink Direct” will be able to use data communications in out-of-coverage areas within these countries without any application procedures for the time being.
To use the service, customers must update their compatible device to the latest software and enable the data roaming setting.
Once configured, a customer’s device will automatically connect to Starlink Mobile satellites supported by the partner carrier when they enter an out-of-cellular-coverage area in the supported country, initiating satellite-based international roaming.
This satellite roaming service is powered by Starlink Mobile, which is the world’s largest and only satellite-to-mobile constellation that offers data, voice and messaging.
The au Starlink Direct service supports satellite-ready apps including WhatsApp, X and LINE.
When used in combination with au’s global services such as au Overseas Flat Rate (au Kaigai Hodai), customers will enjoy seamless connectivity on their usual smartphone, whether they are inside or outside of cellular coverage areas.
Through the continued expansion of au Starlink Direct’s international roaming services, KDDI aims to further evolve its “power to connect” and help create a society where everyone can achieve their goals.
AloJapan.com