VEON’s Kyivstar Delivers First Messages via Starlink in Direct to Cell Satellite Connectivity Test in Ukraine

VEON announced that Kyivstar, its digital operator in Ukraine, has successfully conducted a test of satellite and terrestrial network integration using Starlink Direct to Cell technology. This is the first field test of of Starlink Direct to Cell in eastern Europe. 

During the pilot in the Zhytomyr region, Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov and Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, exchanged messages directly via Starlink Direct to Cell satellite using regular 4G-enabled smartphones. The successful exchange confirmed the technology’s viability for Ukraine.

Direct to Cell data service from Starlink, which will enable video communication via messaging apps, is still being developed and tested, and is planned to be made available to a wider audience in the future.

This marks a major milestone in integrating satellite connectivity into Ukraine’s telecommunications infrastructure, with the aim of providing reliable and resilient connectivity when terrestrial connectivity is unavailable. Kyivstar and Starlink intend to commercially launch Direct to Cell connectivity in the fourth quarter of the year starting with messaging services.

“Ukraine has become the first country in Eastern Europe to conduct field testing of the Direct to Cell technology. This is an important step in the development of infrastructure that will provide access to communication even in places where traditional networks are absent. Despite all the challenges of wartime, we continue to develop innovative solutions, because reliable communication under any circumstances and in any location is one of our key priorities. Therefore, this Kyivstar project is an example of effective partnership between the state, business, and technology companies, which opens the way to the future of communication without borders,” said Mykhailo Fedorov, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine

"This cutting-edge technology is a breakthrough for Ukraine as well as Kyivstar. We continue to invest in the most advanced technologies, not only to provide seamless services for Ukrainians today, but also to define the connectivity landscape of Ukraine for the future. We look forward to making this transformative capability available for our customers in the coming months," said Oleksandr Komarov, Kyivstar CEO.

“Our partnership with Starlink integrates terrestrial networks with satellite platforms, ensuring that nothing stands between our customers and connectivity –  not power outages, deserts, mountains, floods, earthquakes or even landmines,” added Kaan Terzioglu, VEON Group CEO. “For Kyivstar and Ukraine, this is more than backup: it’s a fully resilient, next-generation network architecture. By combining ground and space-based infrastructure, we are redefining what reliable connectivity means in humanitarian and crisis situations, and we look forward to extending this capability across our other markets.”

While continuing to invest in Ukraine’s resilient infrastructure, Kyivstar and VEON are also progressing towards the listing of Kyivstar Group Ltd, Kyivstar’s parent company, on Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) in collaboration with Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp I (“Cohen Circle”; Nasdaq: CCIR). Following the completion of the business combination with Cohen Circle, Kyivstar Group Ltd is expected to be listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol KYIV.

Source: VEON media announcement