Kyivstar tests Starlink Direct to Cell satellite connectivity in Ukraine

VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON) announced that its Ukrainian subsidiary Kyivstar successfully conducted the first field test of Starlink Direct to Cell technology in Eastern Europe. The test took place in Ukraine's Zhytomyr region, where Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov and Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov exchanged messages using regular 4G-enabled smartphones connected directly to Starlink satellites.

The pilot program confirmed the technology's viability for Ukraine's telecommunications infrastructure. Starlink Direct to Cell enables satellite connectivity without requiring hardware modifications, firmware updates, or special applications on existing LTE phones.

Kyivstar and Starlink plan to commercially launch Direct to Cell connectivity in the fourth quarter of 2025, beginning with messaging services. Data services for video communication through messaging applications remain under development and testing.

"Ukraine has become the first country in Eastern Europe to conduct field testing of the Direct to Cell technology," said Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation. The technology aims to provide communication access in areas where traditional networks are unavailable.

VEON operates across five countries and serves nearly 170 million customers. Kyivstar serves approximately 23 million mobile subscribers and over 1.1 million fixed-line internet customers in Ukraine as of December 31, 2024.

The company also disclosed progress toward listing Kyivstar Group Ltd on NASDAQ through a business combination with Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp I (NASDAQ: CCIR). Following completion of the transaction, Kyivstar Group Ltd expects to trade under the ticker symbol KYIV.

VEON and Kyivstar have committed to investing $1 billion in Ukraine during 2023-2027 through infrastructure development, technological advancement, charitable donations, and strategic acquisitions.

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