Ukrainian mobile operator Kyivstar has signed an agreement with Elon Musk’s SpaceX satellite service Starlink to launch a cellular service using Starlink satellites, Reuters writes, citing a statement from VEON, the operator’s parent company.
According to a joint statement by the two companies, satellite cellular communication service for regular smartphones using Direct to Cell technology with SMS and OTT messaging functionality will begin to function in the fourth quarter of 2025. In the future, the service will include a voice communication service via satellites and the ability to transmit data.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. This spring, SpaceX reported successful testing of Direct to Cell-enabled Starlink satellites using unmodified Samsung Galaxy, Apple iPhone and Google Pixel phones.
According to the Starlink website, agreements have already been concluded to provide satellite cellular services with local cellular operators in the United States and seven other countries, including Japan and New Zealand. Starlink claims that Ukraine will be one of the first countries in the world where satellite cellular communications will be available through Direct to Cell technology.