Kyivstar Reports 3 Million Users for Direct Satellite Connectivity in Ukraine
Kyiv, Thursday, 15 January 2026.
In a breakthrough for resilient infrastructure, over 10% of Kyivstar’s subscribers now access Starlink satellite services directly via standard smartphones, bypassing terrestrial damage to ensure vital connectivity across Ukraine.
Rapid Adoption of Satellite Connectivity
On January 15, 2026, VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON) announced that its Ukrainian subsidiary, Kyivstar (Nasdaq: KYIV; KYIVW), has successfully registered 3.0 million users for its Starlink Direct to Cell services [1][2]. This milestone, achieved less than two months after the service’s launch on November 24, 2025, represents more than 10% of the operator’s total mobile subscriber base [1][3]. The rapid uptake highlights the critical demand for resilient communication infrastructure in Ukraine, where terrestrial networks remain vulnerable to disruption [3].
Seamless Integration for Galaxy Users
A significant driver of this adoption is the seamless integration with standard consumer hardware. As of January 12, 2026, Kyivstar activated specific support for Samsung Galaxy devices, allowing users with 4G LTE handsets to connect to the satellite network without requiring special apps or external equipment [6]. To utilize the service, which is free for approximately 15.5 million eligible 4G subscribers, users simply need a clear line of sight to the sky and must enable “Automatic Network Selection” in their settings to detect the “Kyivstar | SpaceX” network ID when terrestrial signals are lost [3][5][6].
Regulatory Landscape and Future Roadmap
The deployment of this technology operates under strict regulatory oversight. The National Commission for Regulation in the Spheres of Electronic Communications has extended Kyivstar’s authorization to test the Starlink Direct to Cell system until April 20, 2026 [4]. Security protocols strictly prohibit the service’s operation in temporarily occupied territories, active combat zones, and a designated 20 to 50-kilometer buffer strip along the country’s borders to prevent radio interference and comply with defense requirements [4][6].