Kyivstar starts testing Starlink Direct to Cell technology in Ukraine

Mobile operator Kyivstar (Kyiv) has started testing Starlink Direct to Cell technology in Ukraine.

This is stated in the company's message, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"SpaceX's Starlink Direct to Cell satellite communication is becoming available for testing to all Kyivstar subscribers. From now on, the technology makes it possible to stay connected even where there is no mobile network coverage. Kyivstar has become the first electronic communications operator in Europe to open access to testing satellite technology, which allows at this stage to send and receive SMS messages in places where the terrestrial network is unavailable," the company noted.

The message says that now every Kyivstar subscriber who uses a 4G smartphone will be able to stay connected even during prolonged blackouts, in hard-to-reach areas or remote villages. During periods when terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable and messengers do not work, SMS remains the main and reliable channel of communication.

This allows you to send coordinates, ask for help or inform loved ones that you are safe.

Currently, the company emphasized, due to the limited bandwidth of satellite channels, only the SMS exchange service is available.

In the future, it is planned to expand the functionality - adding voice calls and mobile Internet.

It is noted that the functionality of access to Starlink Direct to Cell technology is compatible only with smartphones with 4G (LTE) support on the Android operating system.

Access to the technology on the iOS operating system will be opened on iPhone 13 and newer models with the upcoming software update.

Starlink Direct to Cell is not a replacement for the terrestrial network, but a supplement to it.

The technology has already proven its effectiveness in the world, working in the most extreme conditions - during hurricanes, floods and fires.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, at the end of December 2024, VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), the parent company of Kyivstar (VEON or VEON Group), announced that Kyivstar, its digital operator in Ukraine, signed an agreement with Starlink, a division of SpaceX, to begin implementing revolutionary Direct to Cell satellite communications in Ukraine.

Kyivstar is part of the Ukrainian business unit of the international communications operator Veon (formerly VimpelCom).