Kyivstar, a leading Ukrainian mobile operator and subsidiary of VEON Ltd., launched Starlink Direct‑to‑Cell satellite connectivity on November 24, 2025. The service allows 4G smartphones to connect directly to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network, delivering SMS in the first phase and planning to add voice and data in 2026. The rollout makes Kyivstar the first operator in Europe to deploy this technology, providing reliable communication in areas where terrestrial coverage is absent, such as remote regions, recently liberated territories, and zones affected by prolonged blackouts.
The launch dovetails with VEON’s broader digital operator strategy, which has driven a 63.1% year‑over‑year jump in direct‑digital revenue to $198 million in Q3 2025, representing 17.8% of group revenue. VEON’s Q3 2025 results also showed revenue of $1.115 billion, up 7.5% YoY, and EBITDA of $524 million, a 19.7% increase that lifted the EBITDA margin to 47.0%. Management raised its full‑year 2025 EBITDA outlook to 16‑18% in local currency, reflecting confidence in continued cost discipline and the momentum of digital services.
Kyivstar’s stock reacted positively, trading more than 3% higher on the day of the announcement. Analysts highlighted the strategic advantage of being the first European operator to offer satellite‑direct connectivity, noting that the service enhances resilience for the operator’s 22.5 million mobile customers and positions VEON to expand similar solutions across its other markets, including Beeline Kazakhstan.
CEO Kaan Terzioglu of VEON said the partnership “demonstrates VEON’s and Kyivstar’s commitment to Ukraine’s resilience,” while Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov emphasized that the new service “will increase connectivity resilience significantly, especially in areas where the grid is unreliable.” Minister Mykhailo Fedorov added that the technology is “a critical step in ensuring reliable communication in wartime conditions.”
The service is limited to non‑occupied areas, excluding border zones and active combat zones, but it provides a vital lifeline for civilians and emergency responders. The launch is expected to accelerate Kyivstar’s digital transformation, support VEON’s goal of expanding high‑margin direct‑digital services, and reinforce the company’s competitive position in a market where connectivity is both a commercial and humanitarian priority.
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