Ukrainian telecom giant Kyivstar secures approval to integrate Starlink satellite texting capabilities, offering a lifeline to areas devastated by Russian military strikes where traditional communication infrastructure has been obliterated.
Key Takeaways
- Kyivstar has received regulatory approval to test Starlink Direct-to-Cell texting services in Ukraine, with field testing beginning this summer in select regions.
- The service aims to enhance connectivity in war-damaged areas, rural regions with poor coverage, and during emergency situations.
- Full commercial deployment of the service is scheduled for Q4 2025, following successful integration of Kyivstar SIM cards with Starlink’s satellite network.
- VEON, Kyivstar’s parent company, plans to invest $1 billion in new telecom technologies in Ukraine from 2023 to 2027.
- Starlink has been providing critical broadband services in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022, supporting both civilian and military communications.
Strategic Partnership for Communication Resilience
Ukrainian telecommunications leader Kyivstar has secured crucial regulatory approval to test Starlink’s satellite-based texting services across the war-torn nation. The approval, granted by the Ukrainian National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications, follows successful laboratory integration of Kyivstar SIM cards with Starlink’s satellite network in the United States. This development represents a significant advancement in ensuring communications resilience for Ukraine’s population amid ongoing Russian aggression that has damaged critical infrastructure throughout the country.
“Kyivstar remains at the forefront of ensuring Ukraine’s connectivity, especially during challenging times,” stated Oleksandr Komarov, CEO of Kyivstar. “This partnership with Starlink underscores our determination to provide uninterrupted communication to our customers, regardless of circumstances. Deployment of this technology highlights our commitment to innovation and service reliability.”
Tactical Implementation Timeline
Field testing of the Starlink Direct-to-Cell (D2C) service will commence this summer in selected Ukrainian regions, beginning with basic text messaging capabilities. The technology utilizes existing mobile phones without requiring specialized equipment or modifications, making it immediately accessible to citizens in need. Kyivstar has already allocated the necessary spectrum and is adapting its infrastructure for the launch, with full commercial deployment planned for the fourth quarter of 2025, pending successful testing and further technical development.
As Ukraine’s largest digital operator serving over 23 million mobile subscribers and 1.1 million Home Internet customers, Kyivstar’s implementation of satellite-based texting represents a strategic move to maintain national communication channels despite Russian attempts to cripple Ukrainian infrastructure. The partnership leverages Starlink’s constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, which have played a crucial role in Ukraine’s telecommunications resilience since the 2022 invasion, supporting both civilian and military communications networks.
Investment in Ukraine’s Digital Sovereignty
This initiative is part of a broader commitment by VEON, Kyivstar’s parent company, which plans to invest $1 billion in new telecom technologies in Ukraine between 2023 and 2027. The investment demonstrates significant confidence in Ukraine’s future despite ongoing military challenges and underscores the strategic importance of maintaining robust communication networks during wartime. Kyivstar has already contributed over 2 billion Ukrainian hryvnia to support the nation throughout the conflict.
“In times of war, when communication and connectivity are essential humanitarian needs, VEON and Kyivstar are committed to investing in technologies that ensure connectivity for Ukraine and keep critical channels open,” said Kaan Terzioglu, VEON Group CEO. “With the integration of satellite constellations, we are further enhancing Ukraine’s connectivity.”
Expanding Starlink’s Role in Ukraine
The regulatory approval for Kyivstar’s Starlink integration expands upon the already substantial role Elon Musk’s satellite network has played in maintaining Ukraine’s connectivity. Since the war began, Starlink terminals have been deployed throughout Ukraine, providing internet access where traditional infrastructure has been destroyed. The addition of direct-to-cell texting capabilities will further enhance this support, offering communication options even in the most remote or damaged areas of the country.
SpaceX has completed the first-generation deployment of Starlink satellites with Direct-to-Cell payload capabilities, though the service is currently limited to messaging and emergency alerts in the United States and New Zealand. Ukraine’s implementation would represent a significant expansion of this technology in an active conflict zone, potentially serving as a model for future emergency communications systems in crisis-affected regions worldwide.
