Kyivstar has achieved a significant technical breakthrough in the implementation of Direct to Cell satellite communications, confirming for the first time the compatibility of its SIM card with the Starlink satellite network. This brings closer the launch of a new communication format in Ukraine that will allow you to stay connected without terrestrial infrastructure.
Kyivstar has achieved a significant technical breakthrough in the implementation of Direct to Cell satellite communications, confirming for the first time the compatibility of its SIM card with the Starlink satellite network. This brings closer the launch of a new communication format in Ukraine that will allow you to stay connected without terrestrial infrastructure.
As Kyivstar reports in its press release, during laboratory testing in the US, the Ukrainian operator’s mobile SIM card was successfully recognized by the Starlink satellite system. This proves the networks' ability to exchange signals and operate in synchronous mode — a key stage for the implementation of direct satellite communication technology from a regular smartphone.
This is Direct to Cell technology, which will allow users to maintain mobile communication even without terrestrial coverage, for example, in the mountains, rural areas or during a complete blackout. The peculiarity is that no additional devices are required for operation: only a regular smartphone with 4G support and an active Kyivstar SIM card.
This type of communication involves a direct connection of a satellite to a smartphone without additional terminals. This approach allows you to maintain communication even in the most critical conditions — which is especially relevant for Ukraine during martial law and the risks of long-term communication outages. You can read more about this technology in our separate article.
The testing was made possible thanks to many years of preparation: since 2021, the company has been monitoring the development of this technology, and during a full-scale war, it decided to invest in its implementation. According to Ilya Polsakov, Director of New Business Development at Kyivstar, the company became the first in Europe to enter into a partnership with Starlink to launch Direct to Cell.
The project is being implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the National Commission for the Development of the Energy Sector. Kyivstar has already allocated part of the spectrum for satellite operations and is adapting its network to the full launch of the service.
The next step is to test Direct to Cell in real-world conditions. The company plans to begin field tests in selected regions of Ukraine in the summer of 2025. The exchange of SMS messages will be tested first.
We previously wrote about how Kyivstar showed strong financial growth in the first quarter of 2025. The company’s revenue reached $255 million, which is 37,1% more than in the same period last year.
