Kyivstar to launch D2C with Starlink in a European first

Details: Manny Pham; Category: Satellite Networks; 11 July 2025; 10103 views

Ukrainian operator Kyivstar is set to become one of the first European carriers to launch direct-to-cell (D2C) satellite communication services through a partnership with Starlink.

In a statement, Kyivstar announced it will begin testing the service with a satellite-powered messaging system, followed by mobile broadband access via satellite.

The initial rollout will see base stations connect to low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to enable direct communication with standard mobile devices. The service will launch in test mode across Ukraine.

Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov said the first phase - supporting messaging platforms such as SMS, WhatsApp, Signal, and others - will go live by the end of 2025. Full-scale D2C services, including data and voice, are expected to follow in the second quarter of 2026.

Speaking at the IV Ukraine Recovery Conference, Komarov emphasised that the initiative supports the Ukrainian government’s broader aim to foster business partnerships with Italian companies interested in expanding into the country.

Kyivstar is also preparing to go public on the NASDAQ stock exchange, with an expected listing in Q3 2025, according to Komarov.