Mobile operator “Kyivstar” successfully tested compatibility with the Starlink network, taking the first step towards the introduction of Direct to Cell satellite communication technology in Ukraine. About this reported the press service of the company.
The tests were conducted in the partner’s laboratory in the USA. During the test, the “Kyivstar” SIM card was synchronized with the Starlink network, the system correctly identified the subscriber and processed the signals, which confirms the technical readiness for the integration of satellite communication.
“Kyivstar became the first company in Europe to sign an agreement with Starlink to launch Direct to Cell thanks to the strategic approach, technological readiness and persistence of our team. We have been following the development of this technology since 2021. In times of war, when communication is critically important, the company decided to invest in Direct to Cell.” — said Ilya Polshakov, Director of Development of New Business Areas of Kyivstar.
Direct to Cell technology provides the ability to connect mobile communications directly through satellites to ordinary smartphones, without the need for special equipment. In the future, this technology will complement Kyivstar’s ground infrastructure, ensuring communication even during a complete blackout or in remote locations, such as mountainous or rural areas.
The company plans to start field tests of Direct to Cell in some locations in Ukraine in the summer of 2025. At the first stage, experts are testing the possibility of exchanging text messages via satellite communication.
The Direct to Cell service will be available to all “Kyivstar” subscribers who use a smartphone with 4G support and a corresponding SIM card. The company emphasizes that satellite communication will not replace the traditional terrestrial network, but will become a critical tool in emergency situations.
