Rakuten and AST SpaceMobile Form Rakuten AST Joint Venture
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Rakuten and AST SpaceMobile Establish Rakuten AST Joint Venture to Build D2D Satellite Communications Network in Japan
Tokyo and Midland, Texas - November 9, 2026 - Rakuten Group, Inc. and AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) have agreed to establish Rakuten AST, Inc. The joint venture aims to build a direct-to-device communications network in Japan using low Earth orbit satellites to provide service to commercially available smartphones.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications selected the joint proposal for the Japan Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communications Project. Rakuten AST is expected to receive up to 148 billion yen in support to deploy and manage satellites compatible with mid-band spectrum, aiming to commence domestic operations by the end of March 2029.
- Establishment of Rakuten AST, Inc. in November 2026
- Rakuten Group holds 51 percent voting rights, while AST SpaceMobile holds 49 percent through a subsidiary
- Funding of approximately 1 billion USD awarded from Japan MIC
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