Kyivstar Group Ltd. announced that its Starlink Direct‑to‑Cell satellite‑to‑mobile service has attracted 3 million subscribers and enabled 1.2 million SMS messages since its launch on November 24 2025. The service is now available to iPhone users running iOS 26.2 or later, automatically connecting to the “Kyivstar | SpaceX” network when terrestrial signals are lost.
The milestone underscores the strategic importance of satellite connectivity in a war‑torn market. In Ukraine’s southern and eastern regions, where ground infrastructure has been heavily damaged, the service provides a reliable communication lifeline. The rollout covers five major cities—Kyiv, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, and Dnipro—where adoption rates are highest, reflecting the urgent need for resilient connectivity among both consumers and businesses.
Kyivstar’s rapid subscriber growth signals a strong demand for satellite‑based services and positions the company to capture a high‑margin revenue stream once data, voice, and video services are introduced. The expansion aligns with VEON’s $1 billion investment plan in Ukraine for 2023‑2027, reinforcing the parent company’s commitment to digital modernization and infrastructure resilience.
CEO Oleksandr Komarov said the rapid uptake “validates our strategic investment in Starlink technology to bring connectivity directly to Ukraine’s residents” and added that the service “supplements our terrestrial network capabilities and provides essential communication when other means are unavailable.” Kaan Terzioğlu, VEON Group CEO, noted that the service “demonstrates the critical importance of enhancing Ukraine’s resilience and our customers’ appreciation for satellite‑based connectivity,” and that Kyivstar will continue to lead in providing innovative services that build Ukraine’s digital future.
While no immediate market reaction data is available for this announcement, the November 24 launch of the service was associated with a 5.49% positive price reaction, indicating investor enthusiasm for the technology’s potential. The current announcement builds on that momentum by demonstrating tangible adoption and operational success.
Looking ahead, Kyivstar plans to expand the service beyond SMS to include data, voice, and video, which will unlock additional revenue opportunities and further strengthen its competitive position in a market where terrestrial coverage remains uncertain.
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