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Ukraine Pioneers Starlink’s Groundbreaking Direct-to-Cell Technology: A Game Changer for Connectivity in Conflict Zones

Ukraine Pioneers Starlink's Groundbreaking Direct-to-Cell Technology: A Game Changer for Connectivity in Conflict Zones

Ukraine Successfully Tests Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell Satellite Technology in Eastern Europe

August 12, 2025 — In a pioneering step for telecommunications in Eastern Europe, Ukraine’s largest mobile operator Kyivstar has successfully completed the first field test of Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite technology. The trial took place in Ukraine’s Zhytomyr region, marking a significant milestone in connectivity amid ongoing challenges posed by war-related infrastructure disruptions.

During the pilot test, Kyivstar’s CEO Oleksandr Komarov and Ukraine’s Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov exchanged messages directly via regular smartphones, demonstrating the new technology’s potential to provide resilient communication services even when traditional terrestrial networks are compromised.

Why Direct-to-Cell Technology Matters for Ukraine

The direct-to-cell approach is designed to deliver reliable cellular connectivity from satellites directly to standard mobile phones without requiring additional specialized equipment. As satellites equipped with sophisticated cellular modems act like spaceborne cell towers, this technology can maintain communications when ground infrastructure is destroyed or unavailable.

For Ukraine, which faces frequent Russian attacks targeting critical infrastructure during the ongoing conflict, this capability is potentially transformative. It ensures that citizens, emergency responders, and officials can stay connected in the face of network outages, boosting both civilian communications and national security.

Global Trend Toward Satellite Connectivity

Globally, telecom operators are increasingly embracing satellite technologies to combat “dead zones” — regions where deploying terrestrial cellular towers is cost-prohibitive or geographically challenging. Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by SpaceX, has entered agreements with telecom providers in ten different countries to implement its direct-to-cell service.

Kyivstar is now set to become the first European mobile operator to launch this service commercially. The upcoming launch plan targets the fourth quarter of 2025, initially focusing on messaging services. By early 2026, the technology aims to deliver mobile satellite broadband data accessible to a broader user base, according to Komarov.

Future Expansions and Collaborations

VEON, the international telecom holding company that owns Kyivstar, is actively exploring partnerships beyond Starlink. The company is in advanced talks with other satellite initiatives, including Amazon’s Project Kuiper, to further expand satellite-based mobile services both within Ukraine and potentially across other markets.

This development represents a significant leap forward in integrating space-based infrastructure with everyday mobile networks, enhancing connectivity resilience in conflict zones and remote areas alike.


Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro; Edited by Milla Nissi-Prussak
© 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved.

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