Samsung enters the war: Starlink Direct to Cell Goes Live in Ukraine

Wednesday, 14 January 2026 at 11:40

Samsung is currently rewriting the rules of European mobile infrastructure. Kyivstar has officially turned on Starlink Direct to Cell support for Samsung Galaxy users in Ukraine. This isn't just a prototype or a limited beta; it’s the first commercial deployment in Europe that allows standard 4G LTE Samsung handsets to communicate directly with SpaceX’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellation without specialized hardware.

Key points

Samsung 4G/5G users in Ukraine can now send SMS via Starlink satellites.
The service is provided through Kyivstar and uses Starlink Direct to Cell tech.
No special apps or extra hardware are needed; it works via standard SMS protocols.
Users must enable "Automatic Network Selection" and have a clear view of the sky.
Voice and data features are expected to be added to the satellite link in 2026.

How it Works: "Cell Towers in the Sky"

Unlike Apple’s proprietary SOS system, which requires a specific "pointing" gesture, the Kyivstar-SpaceX solution treats the satellite as a standard roaming partner.

The Modem: The Starlink V2 Mini satellites are equipped with an onboard eNodeB modem. This allows them to act as a cellular mast in space.
Device Support: Any Samsung device with 3GPP Release 10 (or newer) compatibility and a Kyivstar SIM can technically connect. This includes almost every Galaxy flagship from the S21 series through the unreleased Galaxy S26 Ultra.
The Handshake: When your phone loses terrestrial towers, it looks for the "Kyivstar | SpaceX" network ID. As long as Automatic Network Selection is enabled in your settings, the transition is seamless.

Current Limitations and 2026 Roadmap

Right now, the service is restricted to two-way SMS messaging. You won't be scrolling Instagram via satellite just yet.

The Environment: You must have a clear view of the sky. Heavy tree canopies or being indoors will still block the signal.
The Speed: Bandwidth is extremely limited. We are looking at "kilobits per second" territory, which is why text is the priority.
Voice & Data: Kyivstar and Samsung have confirmed that Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and basic data for IoT devices are scheduled for a broader rollout later in 2026.

Deployment Zones and Security

The service is live across the majority of Ukraine, serving as a critical backup for a country dealing with damaged terrestrial infrastructure. However, there are geofenced dead zones. Due to regulatory and security requirements, satellite messaging is disabled in temporarily occupied areas, active combat zones, and a 20-50km buffer strip along the border to prevent interference with neighboring nations' spectrum.