Direct to Cell in Ukraine: «Kyivstar» and Starlink sign agreement to launch the service

The mobile operator “Kyivstar” has signed a deal with Starlink to introduce the satellite communication Direct to Cell in Ukraine.

Direct to Cell is a technology that allows mobile phones and other devices to connect directly to satellites instead of using terrestrial base stations. It expands mobile coverage, providing connectivity in remote regions where traditional infrastructure is unavailable. The benefits of Direct to Cell include:

• Improved coverage in remote areas, including mountains.
• The ability to maintain basic communications in case of natural disasters when terrestrial infrastructure is damaged or non-functional (as happens after Russian shelling and power outages).
• Providing connectivity for maritime and air transport.
• The capability to work with existing subscriber devices without the need for additional equipment or modifications.

The technology provides direct connectivity to the satellite network for modern smartphones that support standard mobile frequencies for 4G LTE or 5G technologies, as well as protocols for SMS and OTT messages. Essentially, all modern 4G smartphones operating in Ukraine should have no trouble using the Direct to Cell capabilities.

It is noted that thanks to this agreement, Ukraine will become one of the first countries to gain access to Starlink Direct to Cell service. This will significantly enhance the resilience of the national communication infrastructure. According to the plan, “Kyivstar” will start offering Starlink Direct to Cell services with the ability to send SMS and OTT messages in the fourth quarter of 2025. Before that, regulatory stages must be completed and technical work for network integration carried out. The next step will be the implementation of voice communication and data transmission.

Source: “Kyivstar”