Kyivstar Reaches 3 Million Customers with Starlink Direct to Cell and Strengthens Ukraine's Connectivity
MWN-AI** Summary
Kyivstar, Ukraine’s premier digital operator, has made a significant leap in enhancing the nation’s connectivity by reaching over 3 million customers with its Starlink Direct to Cell satellite technology since its launch in November 2025. This groundbreaking service, which has sent more than 1.2 million SMS messages, is especially crucial in the southern and eastern regions of Ukraine, highlighting the importance of reliable communication during challenging times.
The initiative has proven particularly effective in urban areas such as Kyiv, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, and Dnipro. In a notable expansion of service, Kyivstar now allows iPhone users running iOS 26.2 or later to seamlessly connect to the "Kyivstar | SpaceX" network when they lose terrestrial signal, thereby ensuring continued accessibility to vital communication channels.
Kyivstar's CEO, Oleksandr Komarov, emphasized the strategic nature of this investment in Starlink technology, which supplements existing terrestrial capabilities and reinforces Kyivstar's commitment to maintaining connectivity across Ukraine. Currently, subscribers can test the satellite SMS service at no extra cost within their existing plans, with plans to extend data services in the future.
With over 22.5 million mobile customers and a solid presence in the digital market, Kyivstar continues to play a pivotal role in overcoming wartime challenges. Along with VEON, the company aims to invest $1 billion into Ukraine from 2023 to 2027, focusing on technological advancements and social infrastructure. Having supported defense initiatives with over UAH 3.4 billion in recent years, Kyivstar underscores its commitment as a socially responsible corporate leader in Ukraine.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Kyivstar's recent achievement of reaching 3 million customers through its Starlink Direct to Cell service represents a significant advancement in Ukraine's connectivity landscape, particularly in these challenging times. This strategic investment not only underscores Kyivstar’s commitment to providing essential services amidst ongoing instability but also indicates substantial growth potential for the company.
For investors, this development can be interpreted as a positive signal for Kyivstar's market position and long-term profitability. The rapid uptake of the Starlink service suggests a strong demand for reliable communication solutions in Ukraine, which has faced considerable disruptions. With over 1.2 million SMS messages already sent through this service, the initial response appears robust, indicating user adoption may continue to rise. The ability to sustain communication in areas without terrestrial signal enhances the overall utility of Kyivstar's offerings and solidifies its competitive advantage.
Moreover, the expansion of satellite connectivity to iPhone users represents a strategic move to broaden its customer base and enhance user experience. By enabling automatic connection for iPhone devices, Kyivstar is appealing to a significant segment of mobile users, thus increasing the likelihood of service adoption.
Looking ahead, while the current service is limited to SMS, plans to expand to data services will likely further enhance the value proposition for subscribers, providing an additional revenue stream for the company. Additionally, Kyivstar's planned $1 billion investment in infrastructure and technological advancements by 2027 demonstrates its commitment to growth, suggesting a bullish outlook.
Investors should monitor Kyivstar’s ability to execute its strategic plans and navigate potential risks tied to geopolitical factors. Overall, the company’s current trajectory appears promising, making it a potentially lucrative investment opportunity as Ukraine continues to rebuild its communication infrastructure.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
In a short time, the satellite-to-mobile service has reached an unprecedented number of customers with life-saving connectivity
Company opens access to testing satellite messaging on iPhone devices
KYIV, Ukraine, Jan. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kyivstar (Nasdaq: KYIV; KYIVW), Ukraine's leading digital operator, today announced that its strategic investment in Starlink Direct to Cell satellite technology is delivering critical connectivity to Ukraine. Since launch in November 2025, over 3.0 million subscribers registered for the service and over 1.2 million SMS messages were sent.
The technology has proven especially vital in Ukraine’s southern and eastern regions, underscoring the crucial role of connectivity in these areas and reaffirming Kyivstar’s dedication to maintaining nationwide communication. The satellite technology has been most broadly used in five cities: Kyiv, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi and Dnipro.
Further expanding this essential service, Kyivstar has also now enabled access for iPhone users, with iPhone devices running iOS 26.2 or later automatically detecting and connecting to the "Kyivstar | SpaceX" network when terrestrial signals are lost.
"The broad adoption of Starlink Direct to Cell satellite service validates our strategic investment in Starlink technology to bring connectivity directly to Ukraine's residents," said Oleksandr Komarov, CEO of Kyivstar. "This technology supplements our terrestrial network capabilities and provides essential communication when other means are unavailable – which is exactly what Ukraine needs right now."
Kyivstar subscribers can test the satellite connectivity technology on their SIM cards within their existing tariff plans at no additional cost. At present, only SMS messaging is available when connected to the “Kyivstar | SpaceX” network, and in the future, it will expand to data services. The technology operates in open areas with a clear line of sight to the sky.
About Kyivstar Group Ltd.
Kyivstar Group Ltd. (“Kyivstar”, the “Group”) is a Nasdaq-listed holding company that operates JSC Kyivstar, the country’s leading digital operator and the first Ukrainian company to have its shares traded on a U.S. stock exchange. The Group’s companies provide a broad range of connectivity and digital services, including mobile and fixed-line voice and data, ride-hailing, e-health, digital TV, and enterprise solutions such as Big Data, cloud, and cybersecurity.
Together with VEON, Kyivstar intends to invest USD 1 billion in Ukraine between 2023-2027, through social investments in infrastructure and technological development, charitable donations and strategic acquisitions. For more information, please visit https://investors.kyivstar.ua.
Nasdaq tickers: KYIV; KYIVW
About JSC Kyivstar
JSC Kyivstar is Ukraine’s leading digital operator, serving more than 22.5 million mobile customers and over 1.2 million home internet fixed line customers as of September 30, 2025. The company provides services using a wide range of mobile and fixed technologies, including 4G, Big Data, cloud solutions, cybersecurity services, digital TV, and more. JSC Kyivstar is advancing new telecommunication technologies in Ukraine and together with VEON plans to invest USD 1 billion in this direction between 2023–2027.
The company contributes to overcoming the challenges of wartime and, over the past three years, has allocated more than UAH 3.4 billion to support the Defense Forces, its subscribers, and the implementation of social projects. Kyivstar has operated in Ukraine for 27 years and is recognized as the largest taxpayer in the digital communications market, a top employer, and a socially responsible company.
Additional information: pr@kyivstar.net, www.kyivstar.ua.
Disclaimer
This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to, among other things, Kyivstar’s Direct to Cell technology development plans as well as Kyivstar Group’s ability to achieve anticipated results and business objectives. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially from those expressed by such statements, including risks relating to Kyivstar’s Direct to Cell technology development plans as well as Kyivstar Group’s ability to achieve anticipated results and business objectives, among others discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” included in the final prospectus filed by Kyivstar Group with the U.S. Securities and exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 18, 2025, as amended and supplemented from time to time, and in any other subsequent filings with the SEC by Kyivstar Group.
FAQ**
How does the rapid growth of the Starlink Direct to Cell service impact the overall financial performance of Kyivstar Group Ltd. Warrant KYIVW and its long-term strategic outlook?
What specific challenges does Kyivstar face in expanding its satellite messaging services, and how might these affect investor confidence in Kyivstar Group Ltd. Warrant KYIVW?
With the increase in customers using satellite technology, how does Kyivstar plan to scale its infrastructure to support future data services for Kyivstar Group Ltd. Warrant KYIVW investors?
What measures is Kyivstar implementing to mitigate potential risks associated with the Direct to Cell technology, and how will this influence the valuation of Kyivstar Group Ltd. Warrant KYIVW?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Kyivstar Group Ltd. Warrant (NASDAQ: KYIVW).
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