VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator (“VEON” or the “Company”), today announces that Kyivstar, its digital operator in Ukraine, has received regulatory approval to conduct testing of Starlink Direct-to-Cell (D2C) services from the Ukrainian National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications, Radio Frequency Spectrum and the Provision of Postal Services (NCEC). Today’s regulatory approval for field testing follows successful integration of Kyivstar’s core mobile network with Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell service.
Successful testing on the integration of Kyivstar’s SIM card with Starlink’s satellite network was recently completed at a partner technology evaluation lab in the United States. The success of the tests confirmed that Kyivstar SIM cards are compatible with the Starlink D2C system, marking a major technical milestone toward launching D2C services in Ukraine.
The planned launch of D2C services with support for SMS and over-the-top (OTT) messaging is scheduled for Q4 2025 and is expected to further enhance Kyivstar’s ability to provide essential connectivity for Ukraine, especially in areas impacted by infrastructure damage and rural regions, as well as during emergencies. Field testing is planned to commence in select Ukrainian regions this summer, beginning with text message services.
“Kyivstar remains at the forefront of ensuring Ukraine’s connectivity, especially during challenging times,” stated Oleksandr Komarov, CEO of Kyivstar. “This partnership with Starlink underscores our determination to provide uninterrupted communication to our customers, regardless of circumstances. Deployment of this technology highlights our commitment to innovation and service reliability.”
This initiative is being implemented in coordination with NCEC, which has officially granted permission for field testing of this technology in Ukraine. Kyivstar has already allocated the required spectrum to launch the service and is adapting its infrastructure for full integration ahead of the scheduled launch.
“In times of war, when communication and connectivity are essential humanitarian needs, VEON and Kyivstar are committed to investing in technologies that ensure connectivity for Ukraine and keep critical channels open,” said Kaan Terzioglu, VEON Group CEO. “With the integration of satellite constellations, we are further enhancing Ukraine’s connectivity.”
