SpaceX launched Starlink service in Japan this week on October 11, marking the first time the satellite internet service has been made available in Asia. On October 12 the first company, KDDI, announced it has signed up to become an official Starlink reseller.
Under the agreement with SpaceX, Japanese telecom operator KDDI will be an “authorized Starlink integrator.” The company says they plan to begin reselling Starlink to its enterprise and civic government customers later this year.
KDDI is no stranger to Starlink, having already conducted technical trials of the broadband satellite internet service since 2021. Based on those trials the company is confident Starlink will be a reliable option for its customers in rural and remote areas.
“Starlink’s unmatched performance is a great fit for our persistent endeavor to bring the urban mobile experience to rural customers. With Japan having more than 16,000 mountains and 6,000 islands, Starlink’s industry-leading satellite constellation is uniquely suited to provide Japanese enterprises with reliable, sustainable internet connectivity, even in times of natural disaster,” said Makoto Takahashi, President of KDDI.
KDDI is not the first company to sign up to become a Starlink reseller. In two separate announcements last month both Speedcast and Marlink said they will offer Starlink’s service to their maritime and enterprise customers.
SpaceX has also signed a deal with Canada’s Enerstar Solutions to provide Starlink to its industrial customers across the country.
