Japan's telecom giants are looking to the skies as they boost their communications networks for future disasters.

KDDI says it last month successfully demonstrated direct messaging between its smartphones and orbiting Starlink satellites.

Starlink is a satellite communications network run by American aerospace company SpaceX.

Usually requiring special antennas, the network is used in areas not covered by conventional base stations, such as in mountainous regions and at sea.

Based on the experimental breakthrough, KDDI says it hopes to offer direct Starlink-to-cell-phone services by the end of the year.

Elsewhere, SoftBank says it has successfully flown its HAPS uncrewed aircraft in the earth's stratosphere.
The October flight was an experiment in providing communications coverage from the atmosphere directly to the ground.

Fellow telecom player NTT Docomo says it hopes to commercialize its service using HAPS in 2026.