Starlink and Kyivstar Launch Europe’s First “Direct to Cell” Satellite Mobile Service in Ukraine

SpaceX has announced the rollout of its new satellite-to-mobile service in partnership with Kyivstar, the country’s largest telecom operator with more than 22.5 million subscribers. “Direct to Cell” enables 4G smartphones to automatically switch to Starlink satellites when ground-based cellular networks are unavailable.

During its beta phase, the service will support SMS only, though it will remain free for Kyivstar customers. Initially compatible with Android smartphones, the feature is expected to be expanded to iPhone users in the near future.

Starlink’s constellation of approximately 7,500 satellites acts as “cell towers in space,” providing coverage outdoors even in regions where traditional infrastructure has been destroyed or disrupted.

Executives from both SpaceX and Kyivstar emphasize that the new service is essential for maintaining communication during prolonged power outages, cyberattacks, and active hostilities across the country. Starlink has played a key role in Ukraine since the early months of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Thousands of terminals were supplied to the military and emergency services to maintain stable internet access in frontline areas.

1. In 2023, Kyivstar suffered a massive cyberattack that disrupted mobile services for weeks — an incident described as the largest cyber assault on telecom infrastructure worldwide. This highlighted the critical need for resilient alternative communication systems.

2. With the launch of Direct to Cell, Ukraine joins the United States and New Zealand as the first markets to receive the service, ahead of planned deployments in Canada, Japan, Chile, Peru, and Switzerland.

The introduction of Starlink’s “Direct to Cell” in Ukraine marks a major advancement in national communications resilience during wartime. The technology provides an additional safety layer, ensuring citizens can stay connected even in the most challenging circumstances.