Ukraine launches Europe’s first direct service for direct communication via Starlink satellites
In a first-of-its-kind move on the European continent, Kyiv Star, Ukraine’s largest mobile communications operator, has announced the start of direct communication technology via Starlink satellites, in a bid to ensure that millions of users stay connected despite widespread power cuts and damage to infrastructure as a result of the war.
The new technology, which comes as a result of an agreement between Elon Musk’s Starlink and Kyiv Star’s Vine Group, allows users to send SMS messages via satellite using their regular smartphones, which are based on the 4G network, without the need to purchase dedicated devices.
The company plans to expand the service in 2026 to include voice calls and data services, opening the door to an unprecedentedly disruptive communications ecosystem.
Kyiv Star CEO Oleksandr Komarov stressed in a statement the importance of the service, saying: “In Ukraine, staying connected means staying safe”.
He stressed that this step will increase the network’s ability to withstand emergency conditions.
Kyiv Star serves more than 22.5 million users in the country, making the impact of the service broad and direct.
This technology allows smartphones to communicate with satellites in low Earth orbit, which redirect signals to ground stations, making it an ideal solution in:
- Prolonged power outages
- Areas where terrestrial networks have been destroyed
- Newly liberated areas still undergoing repairs
- Rescue operations and humanitarian missions
Starlink is one of the most popular telecommunications systems based on the satellite internet, and is widely used in remote areas and conflict zones.
With this step, Ukraine is ushering in the era of direct satellite communications at the European level, sending a clear message that technology can be an essential line of defense in wartime.
