SoftBank Starlink Direct goes overseas on September 28
SoftBank Starlink Direct will work outside Japan from September 28, 2026. The first overseas markets are the United States, Canada and New Zealand. The Philippines is planned for autumn 2026, but SoftBank has not set its start date.
Eligible SoftBank, Y!mobile and LINEMO customers will be able to send text messages and use selected apps through Starlink in outdoor dead zones. The overseas service does not support voice calls or emergency calls, and it is not a replacement for ordinary travel data.
The traveler answer: SoftBank's satellite link is a useful fallback when a participating mobile network disappears and the phone has a clear view of the sky. A Roaming eSIM remains the practical choice for maps, booking apps, browsing and other everyday data where terrestrial coverage is available.
Three countries start on September 28, with the Philippines later
SoftBank's September 10 announcement names a local mobile partner for each market. The launch dates are not identical.
| Destination | Overseas partner | SoftBank Starlink Direct timing |
|---|---|---|
| United States | T-Mobile USA | September 28, 2026 |
| Canada | Rogers Communications | September 28, 2026 |
| New Zealand | One New Zealand | September 28, 2026 |
| Philippines | Globe Telecom | Autumn 2026, exact date not announced |
The service is for SoftBank-group customers traveling abroad. It does not give a visitor who buys an ordinary T-Mobile, Rogers, One NZ or Globe plan automatic access to SoftBank Starlink Direct.
The satellite connection appears only beyond ordinary coverage
SoftBank says the overseas service can connect when the phone cannot receive a terrestrial mobile signal. The user must be outdoors with an unobstructed view of the satellite. Buildings, tunnels, vehicles, dense trees and steep terrain can prevent or interrupt a connection.
The handover can also pause while the phone changes satellites. SoftBank warns that satellite data may be slower than a terrestrial mobile connection. Download maps, reservations and route notes before entering a remote area, even if the phone and plan qualify.
Messaging works, but calls and unrestricted data do not
The overseas feature supports SMS, MMS, RCS and international SMS, subject to the customer's plan. LINEMO does not provide MMS. Selected apps can use satellite data, but SoftBank says available apps and functions may differ by country.
Voice calls and emergency calls are not supported through the overseas satellite service. Do not treat a working text message as proof that every app, call type or emergency function will work in the same place.
This is the biggest gap in the short launch reports: Starlink Direct is a dead-zone fallback, not full mobile internet. A traveler still needs terrestrial data for normal web access, large downloads, video, hotspot use and any app that SoftBank has not approved.
iPhone 13 and later need iOS 27
SoftBank lists iPhone 13 and later models running iOS 27 or newer for overseas use. Android support will be published on SoftBank's service page as compatible models are confirmed. Compatibility can vary by destination and operating-system version.
Customers must also join SoftBank's free World Roaming service. On iPhone, data roaming must be enabled overseas. Update the phone before departure and check the country-specific device list again close to the trip.
An eSIM-capable phone is not automatically a SoftBank Starlink Direct phone. Satellite access depends on the active SoftBank-group line, its plan entitlement, the device and software. The eSIM itself is only the digital form of a mobile subscription.
Which SoftBank-group plans qualify?
SoftBank smartphone-plan customers can use Starlink Direct without a separate application or added charge. Y!mobile customers on Simple, Simple 2 or Simple 3 receive the same treatment.
Other Y!mobile plans require the monthly Starlink Direct option, priced at 1,650 yen. Other LINEMO plans also require that option. SoftBank says LINEMO Best Plan and Best Plan V customers can use the service without an added charge, although the transition rules through winter 2026 may still require an option application with the fee fully discounted. LINEMO business accounts are excluded.
Plan names and transition dates can change. Check the current SoftBank page before travel rather than relying on a saved screenshot or an old bill.
SoftBank Starlink Direct and Roaming eSIM solve different problems
SoftBank Starlink Direct can win in an outdoor dead zone if the traveler has an eligible Japanese line, supported phone and clear sky. Roaming eSIM uses terrestrial partner networks and is designed for ordinary trip data.
| Travel decision | SoftBank Starlink Direct overseas | Roaming eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Who can use it | Eligible SoftBank, Y!mobile and LINEMO customers | Traveler with a compatible unlocked phone and selected package |
| Main purpose | Limited communication beyond terrestrial coverage | Everyday mobile data on listed terrestrial networks |
| Calls | Voice and emergency calls are not supported | Package dependent; do not assume a data plan includes calls |
| Apps | Selected apps only | Internet apps can use the purchased data, subject to local rules |
| Hotspot | Not confirmed for overseas satellite use | Package dependent and shown when confirmed |
| Launch scope | Three countries on September 28, Philippines later | Live destination pages for all four markets |
🏆 Roaming eSIM wins for full trip data: travelers can inspect the destination, allowance, validity, retail price, network information, fair-use wording and top-up status before checkout. That makes it easier to choose normal travel data while keeping SoftBank Starlink Direct as a separate dead-zone fallback.
The comparison does not turn Roaming eSIM into a satellite or emergency service. It requires coverage from a listed terrestrial partner and does not inherit Starlink access from a network name on a product card.
Choose the destination page that matches the trip
Travelers heading to one launch country can compare a United States Roaming eSIM, Canada Roaming eSIM or New Zealand Roaming eSIM. For a later trip, the Philippines Roaming eSIM page is already live even though SoftBank has not announced the Philippine satellite start date.
For a United States and Canada itinerary, compare the USA and Canada regional eSIM with separate country plans. Check the exact coverage list before buying. A regional label does not guarantee that every stop on a wider itinerary is included.
Ten questions about SoftBank Starlink Direct overseas
When does SoftBank Starlink Direct start overseas?
The service starts in the United States, Canada and New Zealand on September 28, 2026. The Philippines is planned for autumn 2026 without an exact date.
Can any traveler use the overseas satellite service?
No. The user needs an eligible SoftBank, Y!mobile or LINEMO line, a supported phone and the required roaming setup.
Which iPhones work with SoftBank Starlink Direct abroad?
SoftBank lists iPhone 13 and later models with iOS 27 or newer. Check the destination-specific list before travel because support can vary.
Which Android phones are supported overseas?
SoftBank has not published the complete overseas Android list. It says compatible models will be added to its service page.
Does SoftBank Starlink Direct work indoors or in a car?
Do not rely on it indoors or inside a vehicle. SoftBank requires an outdoor location with an unobstructed view of the satellite and warns that buildings, trees and vehicles can interfere.
Can I make a voice or emergency call by satellite?
No. SoftBank says voice calls and emergency calls are unavailable through the overseas Starlink Direct service.
Can every app use the satellite connection?
No. Only selected apps receive satellite data, and available functions may differ between countries.
Is hotspot use included overseas?
SoftBank's announcement does not confirm hotspot or tethering support for the overseas satellite connection. Treat it as unavailable unless the current service page says otherwise.
Will a travel eSIM connect to SoftBank's Starlink service?
Not automatically. Satellite access is a separate carrier entitlement. Current Roaming eSIM packages do not advertise SoftBank Starlink Direct access.
Do I still need travel data if Starlink Direct is included?
Yes for normal internet use. Starlink Direct is limited to dead zones and selected functions, while terrestrial travel data supports everyday online tasks where a partner network is available.
SoftBank Starlink Direct overseas sources
SoftBank's September 10 announcement establishes the September 28 launch, countries, partner networks, eligibility, supported messaging, iPhone requirement and overseas limits. The current SoftBank Starlink Direct service page is the source to recheck for Android models, app support and later country additions.
Update policy: We will update this page when SoftBank changes the launch dates, countries, partners, eligible plans, prices, supported phones, apps, calling, emergency, hotspot or roaming requirements.
