Photo/Illutration A satellite icon appears at the top right of a smartphone’s screen when “au Starlink Direct” is in use. (Kenro Kuroda)

A satellite operated by multibillionaire Elon Mask’s SpaceX now allows smartphone subscribers in Japan to use short message service (SMS) texting even on mountains or while on the ocean if the sky is visible.

This is the first time that individual users in Japan can send and receive text messages through direct satellite-smartphone communications, KDDI Corp. said April 10.

The feature, called “au Starlink Direct,” is available to subscribers of the company’s au cellphone service.

KDDI President Hiromichi Matsuda told a news conference that data communications will be made available as early as summer but more time is needed before voice calls can be made.

The service is free for the time being.

About 6 million smartphones, of 50 Android and iPhone models, are compatible.

In addition to using SMS, subscribers can receive early earthquake alerts and tsunami warnings as well as share data displaying their current locations.

“We can offer a sense of safety (to our customers) that they can be connected even in times of disaster and other emergencies,” Matsuda said.

He added that the company hopes to provide the service outside Japan as well.

Matsuda, who took office on April 1, also said KDDI will focus on businesses related to artificial intelligence.

The company plans to invest about 30 billion yen ($205 million) in Japanese startups in artificial intelligence and other fields as well as in overseas venture funds.

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