Beeline Kazakhstan, a VEON subsidiary, completed a field test on December 15 2025 that delivered the first voice call and SMS via Starlink Direct‑to‑Cell using standard 4G smartphones in the Akmolinskaya region. The test featured a WhatsApp audio call between Beeline’s CEO Evgeniy Nastradin and VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu, confirming that Starlink satellites can seamlessly hand off voice traffic to the company’s terrestrial network without new customer hardware.
The achievement demonstrates that satellite‑based connectivity can be integrated with existing mobile infrastructure, allowing customers in remote or sparsely populated areas to stay connected. By leveraging Starlink’s low‑latency, high‑throughput links, Beeline can now offer voice and SMS services in zones that previously suffered from coverage gaps, thereby extending its service footprint without the capital expense of building new cell sites.
This milestone aligns directly with VEON’s “digital operator” strategy, which prioritizes resilient, inclusive coverage across frontier markets. Management views the partnership as a strategic lever to capture underserved customers and to differentiate the brand in a highly competitive telecom landscape. “Our partnership with Starlink positions VEON at the forefront of inclusive connectivity across our region, raising the bar for what we can deliver to support the resilience of the markets we operate in,” said Kaan Terzioglu.
Beeline plans to roll out Starlink Direct‑to‑Cell connectivity to customers in 2026, beginning with SMS services subject to regulatory approval. The company expects the new service to generate incremental revenue streams and to enhance customer retention in high‑growth, low‑penetration areas. The move also positions VEON to capitalize on future satellite‑enabled data services as the technology matures.
Industry observers note that the test places VEON ahead of competitors such as T‑Mobile, which are also developing similar satellite‑to‑cell solutions. The integration of satellite and terrestrial networks is a growing trend that promises to reduce coverage gaps worldwide, offering telecom operators a new avenue for growth and service differentiation.
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