$ASTS: 🚨JAPANESE MNO RAKUTEN HINTS THAT AST SPACEMOBILE SERVICE COULD BE LAUNCHED EARLIER THAN LATE 2026 "Rakuten's Saikyo Satellite Service" to be launched ahead of schedule, says CEO Yazawa - Mobile Watch Rakuten Mobile President Shunsuke Yazawa mentioned the possibility of bringing forward the launch date of the "Rakuten Saikyo Satellite Service," which is scheduled to be launched at the end of 2026. He spoke at the company's "Rakuten AI Optimism" conference on the 31st. Regarding Rakuten's satellite service, Yazawa said, "We are currently working hard within the company to bring the launch a little earlier. We would like to provide the service to Rakuten Mobile users early next year." Rakuten Saikyo Satellite Service is a direct communication service between smartphones and satellites that Rakuten Mobile plans to offer. It utilizes communications satellites from the US company AST SpaceMobile, and at a press conference in April, it was revealed that they had successfully conducted video calls via satellite communication. It was initially scheduled to be available in the fourth quarter of 2026. Article: https://t.co/yiMDMM2sxw