Kyivstar ranks among top global providers of Starlink Mobile satellite connectivity with 5 million total users
MWN-AI** Summary
Kyivstar Group Ltd, a leading digital operator in Ukraine and part of VEON Group, recently announced a significant milestone at Mobile World Congress 2026, revealing that 5 million of its customers have connected through Starlink Mobile satellite connectivity. This integration enables users to communicate via SMS even when terrestrial networks are unavailable, a critical service given the challenging wartime conditions in Ukraine. CEO Oleksandr Komarov and Director of New Business Ilya Polshakov highlighted the operational experience of Kyivstar in leveraging non-terrestrial networks to address unique challenges faced during wartime, such as infrastructure damage and blackout situations.
Kyivstar became the first mobile operator in Europe to offer nationwide Starlink Mobile connectivity in late 2025, and since then, its users have sent over 7 million messages through this network. The technology is proving vital for various stakeholders, including volunteers and rescuers operating in frontline regions. Polshakov also noted that Kyivstar’s work in Ukraine serves as a model for global practices in resilient connectivity during crises.
Furthermore, Kyivstar is expanding satellite connectivity applications to sectors such as agriculture, humanitarian demining, and financial services, showcasing its ability to validate 4G-enabled POS terminal operations via satellite. Looking ahead, Kyivstar aims to launch light data services in 2026, ensuring essential services remain operational even without terrestrial networks.
With a commitment to invest USD 1 billion in Ukraine from 2023 to 2027, Kyivstar is poised to enhance infrastructure and services. The company is recognized as a key player in overcoming wartime challenges, reinforcing its role as a crucial provider of connectivity and digital services in the region.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Kyivstar Group Ltd. has emerged as a key player in the global mobile satellite connectivity market, particularly through its partnership with Starlink, which allows for innovative solutions even in challenging environments. With 5 million customers now connected via Starlink Mobile, the company is carving out a unique niche in providing resilient connectivity, particularly during wartime in Ukraine. This integration of satellite and terrestrial networks is not only addressing immediate telecommunications challenges but is also setting a precedent for global practices in emergency connectivity.
Investors should monitor the evolving landscape in which Kyivstar operates. The company is expanding its offerings beyond individual users to encompass businesses and government services, particularly in sectors like agriculture and financial services. The successful test of 4G-enabled POS terminals via satellite signifies significant potential for financial inclusion, even in remote areas lacking traditional network infrastructure.
Kyivstar's commitment to invest $1 billion from 2023-2027 in infrastructure and technological advancements underlines its long-term growth strategy. This investment, alongside its proactive approach in integrating Starlink technology, positions Kyivstar favorably for future opportunities, especially as global demand for reliable mobile connectivity rises.
Moreover, as Kyivstar refines its offerings under wartime conditions, its experience could offer valuable insights for other markets facing similar crises. This adaptability could enhance investor confidence and market performance.
In conclusion, Kyivstar’s innovative approaches and significant infrastructure investments make it a compelling option for investors seeking exposure to the telecommunications sector, especially in the context of evolving global connectivity challenges. Anticipated advancements in light data services could further solidify its market position and profitability, offering potential for substantial long-term returns.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
BARCELONA and KYIV and NEW YORK, March 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kyivstar Group Ltd (“Kyivstar Group”; Nasdaq: KYIV;KYIVW), the parent company of JSC Kyivstar, Ukraine's leading digital operator and part of VEON Group (Nasdaq: VEON) announced at Mobile World Congress 2026 (“MWC 2026”) that 5 million Kyivstar customers have now connected to the Kyivstar network via Starlink Mobile satellites1.
During MWC 2026, Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov spoke at the Skybound 5G: Drones, HAPS, Satellites & the Race to Connect the World session, and Director of New Business Ilya Polshakov spoke at the Satellite and NTN Summit. The Kyivstar executives shared Kyivstar’s experience in integrating non-terrestrial networks (“NTNs”) in real world conditions, sharing how this is helping to address the unique challenges Ukraine is facing and how Kyivstar plans to integrate the technology to develop new business areas.
In Ukraine, integration of satellite and terrestrial mobile networks is being implemented under extremely difficult wartime conditions: during blackouts caused by attacks on power generation facilities, in regions with damaged infrastructure, and in areas near the frontline. These circumstances make Kyivstar’s operating experience unique in a global context.
“Kyivstar is shaping the global practice of integrating Starlink Mobile with its terrestrial network, and the Ukrainian use cases are directly influencing the development of direct to device technology. We are adapting to the real challenges we face in Ukraine today. What we are testing and refining will help other countries enhance resilient connectivity during crises, disasters, and other emergencies,” said Ilya Polshakov, Director of New Business Development at Kyivstar.
On November 24, 2025, Kyivstar became the first mobile operator in Europe to enable nationwide Starlink Mobile satellite connectivity for any customer with a 4G smartphone, with the ability to send and receive SMS messaging via satellite when the terrestrial network is not available. Since then, 5 million Kyivstar customers have already connected to the “Kyivstar-SpaceX” network and more than 7 million SMS messages have been transmitted through the satellite network.
“Starlink Mobile continues to prove that it works exactly when it matters most. It has become a key part of Kyivstar’s response to the critical challenges we face in areas with no terrestrial coverage, supporting volunteers, rescuers, and humanitarian missions, as well as people living in frontline regions or experiencing prolonged blackouts. For many territories, connecting via Starlink Mobile satellites has proven to be a vital tool for safety and communication. In the past 30 days alone, 376,000 messages were sent and received in frontline areas in the southeast and east of Ukraine,” said Oleksandr Komarov, Kyivstar CEO.
At the same time, Kyivstar is expanding the use of satellite connectivity for businesses and public services. The technology is already being tested in the agricultural and geodetic sectors, in humanitarian demining operations and in cooperation with the National Police of Ukraine. Kyivstar has also successfully tested Starlink Mobile in the financial services sector: together with Mastercard and partners, it validated the operation of 4G-enabled POS terminals via satellite. The results demonstrate that financial transactions are possible even in locations with no terrestrial network coverage, increasing the reach and resilience of the financial service markets and ensuring access to payments for millions of Ukrainians and businesses in the most challenging conditions. Looking ahead, Kyivstar plans to launch light data during 2026 and aims to ensure stable operation of key services; primarily emergency and government services, in scenarios where no terrestrial networks are available.
This will mark a new level of resilience and will enable subscribers to continue using essential digital services in critical situations. Kyivstar continues to advance technologies that make connectivity more reliable and more accessible.
About Kyivstar Group Ltd.
Kyivstar Group Ltd. (“Kyivstar”) is a Nasdaq-listed holding company that operates JSC Kyivstar, Ukraine’s leading digital operator and the first Ukrainian company to list on a U.S. stock exchange. Kyivstar’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 investments in infrastructure, technological development and strategic acquisitions, as well as charitable donations for social projects.
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 during 2023-2027.
JSC Kyivstar is wholly owned by Kyivstar Group Ltd. (Nasdaq: KYIV; KYIVW), whose shares traded on the U.S. stock exchange Nasdaq.
The company contributes to overcoming the challenges of wartime and, over the past three years, has allocated over UAH 4.4 billion to support the Defense Forces, its subscribers, and the implementation of social projects. JSC Kyivstar has operated in Ukraine for 28 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, Starlink Direct to Cell technology, implemented by Kyivstar. 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 Starlink Direct to Cell technology, implemented by Kyivstar, 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 January 30, 2026, as amended and supplemented from time to time, and in any other subsequent filings with the SEC by Kyivstar Group. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this release and Kyivstar disclaims any obligation to update them, except as required by applicable laws.
1 Source: Kyivstar and Starlink internal data
FAQ**
How can the integration of Starlink Mobile by Kyivstar Group Ltd. influence connectivity strategies in Barcelona and New York, particularly with the KYIVW warrant's potential impact on investment in innovative telecom technologies?
What lessons can Kyivstar Group Ltd. (KYIVW) learn from New York and Barcelona’s urban infrastructure to enhance their satellite connectivity solutions amidst the current wartime challenges in Ukraine?
In what ways can Kyivstar Group Ltd. (KYIVW) cooperate with companies in Barcelona and New York to expand its satellite network capabilities and improve services in emergency situations?
How does the experience of Kyivstar Group Ltd. with Starlink Mobile position the company to create a model for other cities, like Barcelona and New York, in addressing connectivity issues during crises and enhancing digital resilience?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON).
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