(Credit: Au/KDDI)
SpaceX's cellular Starlink service now supports satellite-based tweeting, but only in Japan to start.
The feature is available via Japanese mobile phone company KDDI, which owns the Au cellular carrier. Like T-Mobile, KDDI offers access to the cellular Starlink system, which uses orbiting satellites to keep phones connected in dead zones.
Both carriers offer satellite-based text messaging for about $10 per month. But it looks like KDDI beat T-Mobile in offering support for Elon Musk's X. KDDI’s Au supports data transfers on 20 mobile apps, including its own email service and navigation app, Google Maps, and news apps.
(Credit: KDDI/Au)In a video demo, a phone uses the navigation app while driving in a cellular dead zone. In another, the phone posts a tweet in seconds.
(Credit: KDDI/Au)Independent satellite technology consultant Carlos Placido says KDDI received first dibs on the app support likely because Japan’s “latitude range aligns with the peak density of visible Starlink D2C [cellular Starlink] satellites, maximizing coverage and improving connectivity performance.
"The current Starlink D2C VLEO constellation provides, on average, one to two satellites in view across Japan at any given time," he added.
For now, though, KDDI’s satellite data support is only available for a few phone models, including Google’s newly released Pixel 10 devices, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Z Fold 7. That said, KDDI says the “number of compatible models will be gradually expanded.”
The announcement offers a preview of what T-Mobile users can expect in the US. On Oct. 1, the carrier also plans on launching satellite data capability for mobile apps, including X, WhatsApp, and AccuWeather.
In the meantime, Pixel 10 devices, which go on sale today, get early access to the satellite data feature if they're signed up for T-Mobile's T-Satellite service. But for now, the service only supports three apps: Google Maps, Google Messages and Find Hub.
Google has also teased that Pixel 10 devices can support satellite calling through WhatsApp. The company hasn’t released more details, but SpaceX has hinted at its involvement.