This partnership will enable Kyivstar customers to send text messages even when the terrestrial network is unavailable, as announced by the company on Monday.
The "Direct to Cell" service from Starlink is anticipated to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2025, with voice and data transmission services to follow at a later date.
Kyivstar indicated that Ukraine will be among the first countries to implement this service, which can be utilized on mobile phones without the need for additional hardware or software, provided they support 4G LTE.
As a subsidiary of SpaceX, Starlink has delivered thousands of Starlink kits to Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022. These kits consist of portable terminals that connect directly to Starlink's satellite constellation, rather than relying on a widespread consumer network.
The Ukrainian military has been utilizing Starlink terminals for internet access in remote areas, making this service a vital resource on the front lines.
Since the invasion began in February 2022, Russia has persistently targeted Ukraine's infrastructure, including a drone and missile attack on its energy facilities on Christmas Day.
Kaan Terzioglu, CEO of Veon Group, the parent company of Kyivstar, stated that the Starlink agreement would "significantly enhance the resilience of our services through satellite technologies" for over 23 million mobile subscribers.
SpaceX successfully launched its first constellation of Starlink direct-to-cell satellites during a Falcon 9 rocket launch in early December.
The company has established partnerships with telecom providers globally for its direct-to-cell service, including a collaboration with T-Mobile in the United States, and has teamed up with airlines to provide complimentary WiFi during flights.
According to data from IT service provider Cloudflare, global internet traffic from Starlink surged more than threefold in 2024.