Kyivstar Receives Permission to Test Direct-to-Cell Satellite Technology
Kyivstar has received official approval from the National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications (NCCEC) to conduct test trials of Direct-to-Cell (D2C) satellite technology. The company confirmed the development in a statement to Scroll.media. With this technology, Kyivstar aims to bring connectivity to remote mountainous and rural areas across Ukraine.
What’s Known So Far
- As part of the testing phase, Kyivstar will begin initial trials of SpaceX’s Direct-to-Cell technology, focusing specifically on the ability to send and receive text messages on 4G smartphones within Ukraine.
- The first successful registration of Kyivstar SIM cards in the satellite network was completed in the US, at the Starlink laboratory, confirming compatibility and technical readiness for pilot testing in Ukraine.
- The service’s first beta tests are scheduled for the summer of 2025 in selected regions of Ukraine. Subscribers’ wider test access is expected to roll out in Q4 of 2025.
How Does It Work?
- At this stage, the technology will allow subscribers to send and receive SMS messages using their existing phones.
- Standard 4G/LTE smartphones will connect directly to a satellite in orbit without requiring any additional devices or software. The service will function in open areas with clear sky visibility.
- Kyivstar’s primary focus is to bring coverage to «white spots» — areas lacking traditional terrestrial mobile coverage — emphasizing rural and mountainous regions.
Why It Matters
- Direct-to-Cell technology has critical value during wartime, when mobile infrastructure may be damaged or completely unavailable.
«Direct-to-Cell technology will be a valuable addition to our network, enabling people to send and receive text messages in open areas — even where there is no mobile coverage,» said Oleksandr Komarov, CEO of Kyivstar. «In these difficult times, it’s crucial that people can stay in touch with family and loved ones under any circumstances. That’s why we’re testing this alternative communication technology as a reliable backup. Our goal during the testing phase is to address all technical challenges and make the service as convenient and accessible as possible.»
- Kyivstar is reportedly the first electronic communications operator in Europe — and one of the first globally, alongside the US, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand — to begin implementing this next-generation satellite-to-phone communication.
In late 2024, Kyivstar signed an agreement with Starlink, a division of SpaceX, to begin rolling out Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity in Ukraine. With this partnership, Kyivstar became the first European operator to launch direct satellite communication for smartphones without the need for any additional hardware.
Kyivstar Receives Permission to Test Direct-to-Cell Satellite Technology
Kyivstar has received official approval from the National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications (NCCEC) to conduct test trials of Direct-to-Cell (D2C) satellite technology. The company confirmed the development in a statement to Scroll.media. With this technology, Kyivstar aims to bring connectivity to remote mountainous and rural areas across Ukraine.
What’s Known So Far
- As part of the testing phase, Kyivstar will begin initial trials of SpaceX’s Direct-to-Cell technology, focusing specifically on the ability to send and receive text messages on 4G smartphones within Ukraine.
- The first successful registration of Kyivstar SIM cards in the satellite network was completed in the US, at the Starlink laboratory, confirming compatibility and technical readiness for pilot testing in Ukraine.
- The service’s first beta tests are scheduled for the summer of 2025 in selected regions of Ukraine. Subscribers’ wider test access is expected to roll out in Q4 of 2025.
How Does It Work?
- At this stage, the technology will allow subscribers to send and receive SMS messages using their existing phones.
- Standard 4G/LTE smartphones will connect directly to a satellite in orbit without requiring any additional devices or software. The service will function in open areas with clear sky visibility.
- Kyivstar’s primary focus is to bring coverage to «white spots» — areas lacking traditional terrestrial mobile coverage — emphasizing rural and mountainous regions.
Why It Matters
- Direct-to-Cell technology has critical value during wartime, when mobile infrastructure may be damaged or completely unavailable.
«Direct-to-Cell technology will be a valuable addition to our network, enabling people to send and receive text messages in open areas — even where there is no mobile coverage,» said Oleksandr Komarov, CEO of Kyivstar. «In these difficult times, it’s crucial that people can stay in touch with family and loved ones under any circumstances. That’s why we’re testing this alternative communication technology as a reliable backup. Our goal during the testing phase is to address all technical challenges and make the service as convenient and accessible as possible.»
- Kyivstar is reportedly the first electronic communications operator in Europe — and one of the first globally, alongside the US, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand — to begin implementing this next-generation satellite-to-phone communication.
In late 2024, Kyivstar signed an agreement with Starlink, a division of SpaceX, to begin rolling out Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity in Ukraine. With this partnership, Kyivstar became the first European operator to launch direct satellite communication for smartphones without the need for any additional hardware.
