Ukraine’s Kyivstar Pulls Off Starlink Direct-to-Cell Test — A First for Europe

So, here’s something that caught my eye recently. The biggest mobile operator of Ukraine, Kyivstar, just ran a test with Starlink that feels kind of groundbreaking. They successfully tested Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite tech — you know, Elon Musk’s project — right in the middle of Eastern Europe. It’s the first time this has happened there. Now, the test itself took place in the Zhytomyr region. Kyivstar’s CEO, Oleksandr Komarov, was messaging back and forth with Ukraine’s digital transformation minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, on regular smartphones. No special gear. Just phones, connecting through satellites. It’s a little wild if you think about it.

Why This Actually Matters

You might be wondering, why bother? Well, Ukraine is facing repeated attacks on its infrastructure — think cell towers, cables, the usual stuff, so having Starlink satellite signals that connect directly to phones could be a lifesaver. Instead of relying on physical cell towers that can be knocked out, satellites hovering above can keep the lines open.

These satellites aren’t just floating around randomly. They’re equipped with cellular modems — like mini cell towers — that beam signals straight to your phone. It’s a neat way to get connectivity when the usual networks fail or don’t exist.

Bigger Trends at Play

This isn’t just Ukraine’s problem. Telecom companies worldwide are trying to figure out how to cover areas where normal networks don’t reach. Mountains, forests, rural places, or even cities during disasters. Starlink, the SpaceX-owned service, is already working with carriers in about ten countries to offer this direct-to-cell stuff. Kyivstar is leading the pack in Europe by being the first to test it.

What’s Next for Kyivstar and Starlink?

According to Komarov, the plan is to launch the service commercially by the end of 2025, starting with simple messaging. Then, by early 2026, they want to roll out full satellite broadband for mobile users. That would be a pretty big deal — imagine mobile internet from satellites, anywhere. Also, Kyivstar’s parent company, VEON, is chatting with other satellite providers, including Amazon’s Project Kuiper, to expand these services beyond Ukraine. So it’s not just a local thing.