Starlink to launch direct-to-cell services in Ukraine.

Elon Musk’s Starlink and Kyivstar, Ukraine’s top mobile operator, have inked a deal to launch direct-to-cell satellite communication, the parent company of Kyivstar, VEON, announced Monday.

Direct-to-cell systems broadcast phone signals from space straight to smartphones via satellites fitted with modems that act as a kind of cellphone tower.

According to a joint statement from the telecom company, Kyivstar anticipates direct-to-cell services with messaging capabilities to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2025. Later on, the operator will add data and voice services.

There was no disclosure of the agreement’s financial details.
Earlier this year, SpaceX-owned Starlink launched its first set of satellites with direct-to-cell capabilities. Starlink also supplies vital internet service to war-torn Ukraine and its troops.

In the United States and seven other nations, including Japan and New Zealand, the satellite broadband company has agreements with regional carriers for direct-to-cell services.

According to Starlink’s website, Ukraine will be the first combat area to implement direct-to-cell connectivity and one of the first nations in the world to do so.
Since 2022, Russia has increased its efforts to obstruct communications between Ukraine’s ground terminals and Starlink satellites.

The deal comes as Musk, the owner of Starlink, becomes increasingly involved with the incoming Trump administration’s U.S. and Ukraine policy.

He participated in a call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and President-elect Donald Trump in November, during which he promised to keep providing Ukraine with Starlink satellites, according to Axios.