- The service surpassed this milestone two months after its launch on 27 April and is available across all NTT DOCOMO mobile plans.
- This number gives operators one of the first real-world metrics for adoption of direct-to-device satellite services.
Fact
NTT DOCOMO’s Starlink Direct service surpassed 5 million users by 9 July, two months after its launch on 27 April. The service allows compatible smartphones to connect directly to Starlink satellites for text messaging, location sharing and limited data in areas not covered by terrestrial mobile networks.
The service, available across all NTT DOCOMO plans, covers Japan including mountainous areas, remote islands and coastal waters up to 12 nautical miles. Compatible smartphones connect automatically without needing dedicated hardware. The service remains free to use. NTT DOCOMO has not announced future pricing.
Assessment
This milestone moves direct-to-device satellite services beyond partnerships, trials and launch announcements by providing measurable evidence of customer usage. However, as the service is still free, the number does not yet show how many users would pay for it.
Starlink Direct extends mobile coverage rather than replacing terrestrial networks. Operators can use satellite connectivity to reach areas where building additional base stations is impractical. For BTW readers, the five million figure offers a reference point for planning similar services alongside terrestrial network expansion. Operators now have a real-world metric for early adoption, although commercial demand remains untested.
What to watch
Watch for other operators to release customer adoption data after launching direct-to-device satellite services. Comparable numbers across multiple markets will show whether NTT DOCOMO’s adoption reflects wider demand or Japan-specific conditions.