Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest telecommunications operator, has received permission from the National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications (NCCEC) to conduct test trials of Direct to Cell (D2C) satellite technology.
“During the testing, initial research will be conducted on the operation of SpaceX Direct to Cell technology, in particular the possibility of receiving text messages on 4G smartphones in Ukraine,” the company said in a press release on Wednesday.
Kyivstar notes that it is the first electronic communications operator in Europe to launch a new format of direct satellite communication with smartphones, alongside the US, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.
The company notes that thanks to Direct to Cell, it plans to provide connectivity in so-called “white spots,” i.e., regions without traditional terrestrial mobile coverage, particularly in remote mountainous and rural areas.
This is especially important in times of war, when infrastructure may be damaged or power is unavailable.
It is noted that in the initial phase of implementation, the technology will allow subscribers to send text messages: users’ 4G/LTE phones will connect directly to a satellite in orbit without the need for additional equipment or software. The technology will work in open areas with a clear view of the sky.
“With this step, we are confirming our technological leadership and are proud to be among the first in the world to launch such an innovation… Our task at the testing stage is to take into account all technical aspects and make the service as convenient and accessible as possible for subscribers,” said Kyivstar CEO Alexander Komarov in the release.
It is noted that the company’s specialists will begin the first beta testing of the service in the summer of 2025 in selected regions of Ukraine, with wider access in test mode for subscribers expected in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Kyivstar recalled that the first registration of a Kyivstar SIM card in a satellite network was successfully completed in the US at the Starlink laboratory. This allowed the compatibility of the networks to be tested and technical readiness for pilot testing in Ukraine to be confirmed.
At the end of 2024, Kyivstar was the first in Europe to sign an agreement with Starlink, a division of SpaceX, to begin the implementation of Direct to Cell satellite communications in Ukraine.
As of March 2025, Kyivstar served approximately 22.7 million mobile subscribers and over 1.1 million Home Internet subscribers. The company provides services using a wide range of mobile and fixed technologies, including 4G, Big Data, Cloud solutions, cyber security services, digital TV, etc., and has announced investments in new telecom technologies of $1 billion during 2023-2027.
