Starlink has offered a new solution to Ukraine, announcing new methods to help the country combat Russian disruptions. The company recently demonstrated its direct-to-cell satellite technology in Ukraine. The new technology will be brought to the market through Kyivstar, an operator in the country.
The pilot test took place in the Zhytomyr region, with Kyivstar CEO, Oleksandr Komarov, and Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, exchanging messages using smartphones connected through the new system.
Starlink successfully completes its test in Ukraine
According to reports, Ukraine’s largest mobile operator, Kyivstar, announced on Tuesday that it has successfully carried out the first field test of Elon Musk’s Starlink direct-to-cell satellite technology in Eastern Europe. The successful demonstration is good news for Ukraine, considering the efforts they have put into maintaining reliable communications through Russian attacks, which frequently disrupt mobile and internet connectivity in parts of the country.
The direct-to-cell technology provided by Starlink will allow standard mobile phones to connect directly to satellites in orbit without requiring additional equipment. This is expected to be the answer to maintaining communications during emergencies, especially in areas where cell towers are damaged or destroyed. The service works by equipping satellites with advanced cellular modems that function like cell towers in space.
These satellites beam signals directly to mobile phones on the ground, allowing voice, text, and eventually broadband data services to work without relying on physical network infrastructure. “Direct-to-cell technology aims to provide reliable connectivity when terrestrial networks are unavailable,” Kyivstar said in its statement.
Kyvistar mulls plans to roll out commercial services
Starlink has drawn interest from telecom operators through its connectivity infrastructure, with the company attempting to fill the gaps in remote regions. It is expensive to maintain terrestrial networks in sparsely populated or difficult-to-access locations like mountainous regions. SpaceX, which owns Starlink, has already signed direct-to-cell service agreements with telecom providers in 10 countries.
After the successful test, Kyvisgad is expected to agree with Starlink to launch the commercial phase of the service before the end of the year. The phase is expected to start with messaging capabilities, with Komarov noting that mobile satellite and broadband data could be rolled out at the beginning of 2026. Kyivstar’s parent company, VEON, is also talking to other satellite connectivity providers, including Amazon’s Project Kuiper, to expand mobile satellite services beyond Ukraine.
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