Rakuten Mobile linked to JPY148 billion Japan satellite plan

Rakuten Mobile’s satellite communications project is set to receive JPY148 billion ($912 million) from the Japanese government over three years, according to The Japan Times.

The Japan Times reported that the Japanese government plans to release the JPY148 billion over a three-year period. The funding would cover the cost of acquiring satellites and launching them for the Japan Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communications Project, or J-LEO. Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is due to provide the funding.

Japan is using the J-LEO initiative to build a national satellite communications system and reduce reliance on international providers including SpaceX and its Starlink service. The Japan Times said the government wants the project to give Japan more independence in the low Earth orbit, or LEO, satellite market. KDDI, NTT Docomo and SoftBank Corp already have partnerships with SpaceX for Starlink connectivity.

Rakuten Mobile is reportedly in talks with AST SpaceMobile to form a joint venture for the project. Rakuten Mobile previously worked with AST SpaceMobile on what the companies said was Japan’s first video call using a LEO satellite and a standard smartphone. Rakuten Group, the operator’s parent company, is also an investor in AST SpaceMobile. In February, Japan’s space agency selected Rakuten Mobile to receive JPY11 billion for a dynamic frequency sharing research and development project focused on next-generation satellite communications.