Ukraine’s largest mobile operator, VEON-owned Kyivstar, has successfully completed the first-ever test of SpaceX’s Starlink Direct to Cell technology in Eastern Europe. Conducted in the Zhytomyr region, the pilot saw Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov and Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, exchange messages directly via Starlink satellites using standard 4G-enabled smartphones — no special hardware required.
“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,” said Fedorov.
While Direct to Cell data service capable of enabling video calls via messaging apps is still under development, Kyivstar and Starlink aim to commercially launch a satellite-powered text messaging service in Ukraine by Q4 2025. The goal is to deliver reliable communication in areas without terrestrial coverage, particularly vital during wartime and other crises.
“This cutting-edge technology is a breakthrough for Ukraine as well as Kyivstar,” Komarov added. “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.”
The milestone follows last month’s commercial debut of T-Mobile’s Starlink-powered T-Satellite service in the U.S., as well as Rogers’ ongoing Direct to Cell trials in Canada. Starlink also recently expanded Direct to Cell capabilities to support IoT devices after successful testing in New Zealand.
Kyivstar’s partnership with Starlink is part of a broader push to integrate terrestrial and space-based infrastructure, creating a fully resilient next-generation network for both everyday and emergency use.
