Catenaa, Saturday, November 29, 2025-Kyivstar has rolled out Europe’s first direct-to-cell (D2C) service in partnership with Starlink, offering SMS connectivity to users across Ukraine, including remote areas with limited network access.
The service, available at no extra cost to Kyivstar subscribers with 4G smartphones, currently supports messaging only.
Kyivstar plans to add voice and data capabilities next year. Coverage extends across Ukrainian territory, excluding occupied zones, border regions, and active combat areas.
Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, emphasized that the service provides critical connectivity in a country where infrastructure is frequently damaged by wartime activity.
Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov highlighted measures such as battery and generator backups to maintain terrestrial network operations during blackouts.
The telco’s “Direct to Cell” service follows field trials conducted since June, fulfilling its pledge to launch a messaging solution in the fourth quarter.
The initiative aims to strengthen network resilience and ensure communication during emergencies, positioning Ukraine as the first European country to adopt Starlink D2C technology.
The launch precedes Orange’s planned direct-to-cell messaging rollout on December 11 in partnership with Skylo. Other European operators, including Vodafone, AST SpaceMobile, and Virgin Media O2, have announced similar plans but have yet to set launch dates.
Kyivstar’s early deployment underscores the unique need for reliable communications in conflict-affected areas, rather than purely competitive positioning.
The service marks a notable step in integrating satellite and mobile networks to provide uninterrupted connectivity in challenging environments, offering Ukrainians a vital tool for communication despite ongoing wartime disruptions.
Kyivstar rolls out Europe’s first direct-to-cell (D2C) service in partnership with Starlink, offering SMS connectivity to users across Ukraine, including remote areas with limited network access.
