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KDDI Succeeds in Demonstrating Satellite Direct-Communication Drone Flight in No-Service Area, a First in Japan
KDDI and KDDI SmartDrone said they successfully controlled a drone flight connected to au Starlink Direct in an area above Takahagi, Ibaraki Prefecture, where mobile phone signals do not reach, on May 18, 2026. It was the first flight control in Japan using direct communication between Starlink Mobile and a drone. The companies aim to develop use cases for disaster response and mountainous areas.
Key facts
- KDDI and KDDI SmartDrone successfully controlled a drone flight connected to au Starlink Direct in Takahagi, Ibaraki Prefecture, on May 18, 2026.
- It was the first flight control in Japan using direct communication between Starlink Mobile and a drone (as of July 22, 2026, according to KDDI and KDDI SmartDrone).
- In the demonstration, a drone in flight communicated through au Starlink Direct in an area without mobile coverage, sending and receiving aircraft control signals and telemetry.
- Going forward, the companies will conduct demonstrations through the Symbol Project category of the FY2026 Regional Community DX Promotion Package Project's Demonstration Project (Advanced Communications Systems Utilization Type), selected by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in April 2026.
- KDDI and KDDI SmartDrone aim to establish drones as social infrastructure, enabling a remotely piloted drone to reach any location nationwide within 10 minutes.
What happened
KDDI and KDDI SmartDrone announced July 22, 2026, that they had successfully controlled a drone flight connected to the satellite direct-communication service au Starlink Direct in an area where mobile phone signals do not reach. The demonstration was conducted May 18, 2026, in Takahagi, Ibaraki Prefecture. It was the first flight control in Japan using direct communication between Starlink Mobile and a drone.
Why it matters
The demonstration could free drone operations from terrestrial communications infrastructure and bring their use in disasters and mountainous areas closer to reality. KDDI's application of satellite direct communication to drones as a telecommunications carrier marks a milestone in building the social infrastructure for a future drone-based society.
Details
In the demonstration, a drone in flight communicated through au Starlink Direct in an area where mobile service was unavailable, sending and receiving aircraft control signals and telemetry. The companies confirmed that a drone could fly even in an environment where flight control had been difficult using mobile communications alone. Going forward, through the Symbol Project category of the FY2026 Regional Community DX Promotion Package Project's Demonstration Project (Advanced Communications Systems Utilization Type), selected by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in April 2026, they will test the optimal combination of mobile communications and au Starlink Direct using handovers, as well as remote operation of drones beyond visual line of sight in areas without mobile coverage. KDDI and KDDI SmartDrone said they aim to establish drones as social infrastructure, enabling a remotely piloted drone to reach any location nationwide within 10 minutes, in both routine and emergency situations.
Implications for Japan
Japan has many mountainous areas and experiences frequent disasters. The demonstration involves technology that could enable drone use in such regions, making it suited to Japan's geographic characteristics. KDDI's application of satellite direct communication to drones as a domestic telecommunications carrier could also help strengthen the competitiveness of Japan's drone industry.
Sources
Translated from the Japanese original: /news/nikkei-kurosutekku-saigaiji-no-tsuushinmou-kouchiku-ni-doroo-65d3c6. The Japanese version is authoritative if they differ.