What's Happening?
Kyivstar, a Ukrainian telecommunications company owned by Veon, has reported a significant milestone in its partnership with Starlink, achieving over 3 million users for the Direct to Cell (D2C) Low Earth
Orbit (LEO) satellite service in less than two months since its launch. The service, which currently supports SMS, has facilitated the delivery of over 1.2 million text messages since its inception at the end of November 2025. The D2C service is particularly vital in Ukraine's southern and eastern regions, where connectivity is crucial. Kyivstar offers this service free of charge to its 15.5 million 4G smartphone users, with over 19% of its subscriber base now utilizing the service. The service is currently available only to Android users, with iPhone users awaiting a software update for access.
Why It's Important?
The rapid adoption of Starlink's D2C service by Kyivstar subscribers underscores the critical role of satellite-based connectivity in enhancing Ukraine's resilience, especially in regions affected by conflict. This development highlights the growing importance of reliable communication infrastructure in maintaining societal and economic stability in challenging environments. The service's availability to a significant portion of Kyivstar's user base demonstrates the demand for alternative connectivity solutions, particularly in areas where traditional infrastructure may be compromised. This initiative not only strengthens Kyivstar's market position but also contributes to the broader goal of ensuring uninterrupted communication for millions of Ukrainians.
What's Next?
As the service continues to expand, Kyivstar plans to extend its availability to iPhone users once the necessary software updates are released. Additionally, the company may explore further enhancements to the service, potentially including additional features beyond SMS. The success of this initiative could encourage other telecommunications providers to consider similar partnerships with satellite service providers, further diversifying connectivity options in Ukraine and beyond. Stakeholders, including government entities and international partners, may also take interest in supporting or replicating such models to bolster communication infrastructure in other regions facing similar challenges.
