Tokyo – November 08, 2026 -- NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, Mitsubishi Electric, NTT, MUFG Bank and Development Bank of Japan signed a memorandum of understanding on November 6, 2026 to study the development and operation of a satellite mega-constellation and the services built on it.
The five companies will assess the technical and business feasibility of commercializing communications, Earth observation, positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), and space data center services. They intend to combine their technologies, customer bases, financial capabilities and business development expertise. The stated goal is a business built on openness and interoperability.
NTT and NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS take the communications and system design workstream
The two companies will support technical studies on overall system design and communications integration. They will examine how to coordinate inter-satellite, satellite-to-ground and terrestrial links based on customer needs. They will also test whether NTT's Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) can be combined with technologies from partners in Japan and overseas.
Mitsubishi Electric brings satellite and ground-system experience
Masahiko Arai, Group President of Defense & Space Systems at Mitsubishi Electric, called the MOU an "important first step" for five companies with complementary strengths. Mitsubishi Electric will draw on its experience developing and operating satellite and ground systems.
MUFG Bank and DBJ add financing and neutral commercial assessment
MUFG Bank will contribute its experience using satellite data and its customer base in Japan and overseas to build the space industry value chain. Development Bank of Japan has financed and invested in space-related companies across aircraft, satellites, space data utilization, in-orbit services and space exploration. It will assess commercialization potential from a neutral, long-term standpoint.
Studies cover disaster communications, positioning and in-orbit data processing
The workstreams target communications and Earth observation infrastructure, including communications during disasters and in areas with limited connectivity. They also cover positioning information and more efficient use of satellite data through space data centers. These are satellites with data processing, storage and communication functions. They process data in orbit and send only the results to Earth, which addresses growing data volumes from more capable Earth observation satellites.
NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS Senior Executive Vice President Kengo Nagase said the company will apply its IOWN work and its AI-Centric ICT Platform concept to satellite communications and space-based data centers. The aim is to support enterprise AI adoption.