NTT Docomo extends Starlink satellite roaming to Australia and New Zealand
NTT Docomo has added Australia and New Zealand to docomo Starlink Direct, taking the direct-to-device roaming service to five countries. It works only outdoors where there is no terrestrial mobile or active Wi-Fi connection, and it carries data but not voice.
Japanese operator NTT Docomo has extended its satellite service docomo Starlink Direct to international roaming in Australia and New Zealand, BornCity reported. The two additions bring the number of supported countries to five, after the United States, Canada and the Philippines.
In New Zealand, Docomo works with partner operator One New Zealand Group Limited, which allows nationwide availability. In Australia, use is possible across all areas except certain regions. In both countries, areas where the WORLD WING service is offered are excluded.
The service connects only where neither a conventional terrestrial mobile network nor an active Wi-Fi connection is available. A connection also requires the user to be outdoors with an unobstructed view of the sky. The satellite link supports data communication, but voice calls are not possible over it.
Docomo says 48 device models are currently supported, including Samsung Galaxy models, the Apple iPhone 13 series and newer, and the Google Pixel 9 to 11 series. A gradual expansion of the device list is planned from November. Apple users need iOS 27.0 or later. Users must update to the latest software and manually enable both the docomo Starlink Direct setting and data roaming on the handset.
The service is available on all regular Docomo plans, including ahamo, with no separate sign-up and no extra usage charge. The LTE in-flight usage plan is the only exception. SMS messages are free of charge domestically and internationally and do not use contract data allowance.