Elon Musk’s Starlink and Kyivstar trial direct-to-cell satellite technology in Ukraine, enabling 4G messaging without terrestrial infrastructure. Conducted in Zhytomyr, users with LTE smartphones can send messages if they have an unobstructed view of the sky. Aiming for commercialization in Q4 2025, the service will focus on SMS initially, followed by voice and data in 2026. Kyivstar's CEO Oleksandr Komarov emphasizes its potential for crisis scenarios, highlighting a redefined mobile connectivity landscape.
Elon Musk’s Starlink and Kyivstar trial direct-to-cell satellite technology in Ukraine, enabling 4G messaging without terrestrial infrastructure. Conducted in Zhytomyr, users with LTE smartphones can send messages if they have an unobstructed view of the sky. Aiming for commercialization in Q4 2025, the service will focus on SMS initially, followed by voice and data in 2026. Kyivstar's CEO Oleksandr Komarov emphasizes its potential for crisis scenarios, highlighting a redefined mobile connectivity landscape.