VEON’s Beeline Kazakhstan and Rakuten Symphony Collaborate to Advance Next-Generation Connectivity and Digital Infrastructure

Rhea-AI Summary

VEON (Nasdaq: VEON) announced on December 23, 2025 that Beeline Kazakhstan and Rakuten Symphony signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore strategic collaboration on next‑generation connectivity, digital services, and cloud‑native network infrastructure.

The MoU frames cooperation on Open RAN, AI‑powered network intelligence, cloud solutions, next‑generation digital platforms, and global IoT and mobile workforce connectivity, aiming to support long‑term network modernization and advanced digital services in Kazakhstan.

News Market Reaction

-0.31%

1 alert

-0.31% News Effect

On the day this news was published, VEON declined 0.31%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Reality Check

Price: $52.62 Vol: Volume 49,404 is below th...

low vol

$52.62 Last Close

Volume Volume 49,404 is below the 20-day average of 96,548, suggesting muted participation. low

Technical Price 52.7 is trading above the 200-day MA at 49.56, indicating a pre-existing uptrend.

Peers on Argus

VEON’s gain of 2.33% compares with modest rises in key telecom peers (e.g., TDS ...

VEON’s gain of 2.33% compares with modest rises in key telecom peers (e.g., TDS +4.72%, LBTYA +0.63%, PHI +0.99%), but no broad momentum signal was detected.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 19 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 19	Banking expansion	Positive	-1.5%	Launch of Islamic banking operations at Mobilink Microfinance Bank in Pakistan.
Dec 18	Listing upgrade	Positive	-0.3%	Transfer of VEON ADSs to Nasdaq Global Select Market and index inclusions.
Dec 16	Renewable acquisition	Positive	+1.4%	Kyivstar’s purchase of SUNVIN 11 adding 12.9 MW of solar capacity in Ukraine.
Dec 16	Earnings schedule	Neutral	+1.4%	Announcement of March 2026 release dates for FY and Q4 2025 results.
Dec 15	Technology milestone	Positive	+2.4%	Beeline Kazakhstan’s first Starlink Direct to Cell call and messaging test.

Pattern Detected

Recent corporate and strategic news skew positive, with three of five events showing price moves aligned with that positive tone and two instances of mild sell-offs on favorable news.

Recent Company History

This announcement continues a series of strategic and ecosystem-focused updates from VEON in December 2025. Prior news covered Beeline Kazakhstan’s Starlink Direct to Cell milestone, an earnings results date, and Kyivstar’s solar acquisition supporting a USD 1 billion Ukraine investment pledge (2023–2027). VEON also highlighted upgrades to the Nasdaq Global Select Market and Islamic banking expansion in Pakistan. Today’s MoU on next‑generation connectivity in Kazakhstan fits the broader narrative of network modernization, digital services growth, and regional diversification.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement outlines a Memorandum of Understanding between Beeline Kazakhstan and Rakuten Symp...

Analysis

This announcement outlines a Memorandum of Understanding between Beeline Kazakhstan and Rakuten Symphony focused on Open RAN, AI-powered network intelligence, and cloud-native infrastructure. It extends VEON’s recent stream of network and digital-service initiatives in Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Investors may track how this MoU evolves into concrete deployments, how it complements earlier Starlink Direct to Cell tests, and whether it influences future financial updates and regional growth indicators.

Key Terms

memorandum of understanding, open ran, cloud-native, iot

4 terms

memorandum of understanding regulatory

"have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore strategic collaboration"

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a formal agreement between two or more parties that outlines their shared intentions and plans to work together. It acts like a handshake in writing, clarifying each side’s roles and expectations before any official contract is signed. For investors, an MOU signals that parties are serious about collaboration, which can influence future business opportunities and potential growth.

open ran technical

"including Open RAN architectures, AI-powered network intelligence, next-generation"

Open RAN is an approach to building the radio part of mobile networks that breaks the system into standard, swappable pieces so equipment from different suppliers can fit together, like using Lego bricks instead of one molded toy. For investors, it can mean lower equipment costs, more supplier competition and faster innovation — but also potential integration and security risks that can affect telecom vendors, operators and capital spending plans.

cloud-native technical

"next-generation connectivity, digital services, and cloud-native network infrastructure"

Cloud-native describes a way of creating and running applications that are designed specifically to operate smoothly on cloud computing platforms. Think of it as building a house with flexible, lightweight materials that can be easily moved, scaled, or adjusted as needed, rather than using rigid, traditional construction. For investors, it signifies technology that is more adaptable, efficient, and capable of quickly responding to changing market demands.

iot technical

"cloud solutions, and global IoT and mobile workforce connectivity"

The Internet of Things (IoT) describes a network of everyday devices—such as appliances, vehicles, and equipment—that are connected to the internet and can share data automatically. For investors, IoT represents a growing trend that can drive efficiency and innovation across many industries, potentially creating new opportunities for growth and value. Its expansion influences how companies operate and compete in a digitally connected world.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Almaty, Dubai and Tokyo, December 23, 2025: VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator (“VEON”), and Rakuten Group, Inc. (TSE: 4755), announced today that Beeline Kazakhstan Holding, VEON’s digital operator in Kazakhstan, and Rakuten Symphony, a subsidiary of Rakuten Group, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore strategic collaboration on next-generation connectivity, digital services, and cloud-native network infrastructure.

The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation focused on the evolution of modern, software-driven telecom networks and scalable digital platforms. Under this framework, the parties will assess opportunities to deepen collaboration across priority technology areas, including Open RAN architectures, AI-powered network intelligence, next-generation digital platforms, cloud solutions, and global IoT and mobile workforce connectivity.

By combining Beeline Kazakhstan’s strong market position and expanding digital ecosystem with Rakuten Symphony’s experience in cloud-native networks and open, automated architectures, the collaboration aims to support the long-term modernization of connectivity infrastructure and the development of advanced digital services in Kazakhstan.

“Our networks and business models are undergoing a profound transformation driven by cloud, automation and artificial intelligence,” said Evgeniy Nastradin, CEO of Beeline Kazakhstan Holding. “This collaboration reflects our ambition to explore next-generation network architectures and digital platforms that can enhance efficiency, resilience, and customer experience. By pairing our local expertise with Rakuten Symphony’s global innovation capabilities, we seek to unlock new opportunities for Kazakhstan’s digital ecosystem.”

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with VEON through this collaboration with Beeline Kazakhstan, a forward-thinking operator that shares our vision for the future of telecommunications,” said Sharad Sriwastawa, President of Rakuten Symphony. “Today’s announcement underscores our shared commitment to driving the future of telecom with open, cloud-native architectures. By combining our expertise in Open RAN, AI-powered automation, and digital platforms with Beeline Kazakhstan's local expertise, we aim to deliver innovation and enhanced digital experiences for the region.”

“Beeline Kazakhstan has consistently demonstrated its leadership in translating advanced technologies into meaningful digital services for the people of Kazakhstan and the broader region,” said Kaan Terzioglu, VEON Group CEO. “This collaboration will enable us to explore how Rakuten Symphony’s cutting-edge capabilities and business model can enhance Beeline Kazakhstan’s continued network evolution and digital service ambitions. We are delighted to expand our collaboration with Rakuten to a second VEON Group company following Kyivstar Group in Ukraine.”

Kyivstar Group, another VEON Group Company, is already partnering with Rakuten Symphony in Ukraine to explore Open RAN collaboration.

About VEON  

VEON is a digital operator that provides connectivity and digital services to nearly 150 million connectivity and 140 million digital users. Operating across five countries that are home to more than 6% of the world’s population, VEON is transforming lives through technology-driven services that empower individuals and drive economic growth. VEON is listed on NASDAQ. For more information, visit: https://www.veon.com.

About Beeline Kazakhstan

Beeline Kazakhstan serves 11.9 million customers with mobile connectivity and around one million with fixed internet services. Since 2018, the company has been executing its digital operator strategy. Over the past five years, leveraging its expertise in digital solution development, Beeline Kazakhstan has created an ecosystem of 60 internal and external products. Beeline Kazakhstan is majority-owned by VEON.

About Rakuten
Rakuten Group, Inc. (TSE: 4755) is a global technology leader in services that empower individuals, communities, businesses and society. Founded in Tokyo in 1997 as an online marketplace, Rakuten has expanded to offer services in e-commerce, fintech, digital content and communications to 2 billion members around the world. The Rakuten Group has around 30,000 employees, and operations in 30 countries and regions. For more information visit https://global.rakuten.com/corp/.  

About Rakuten Symphony
Rakuten Symphony is reimagining telecom, changing supply chain norms and disrupting outmoded thinking that threatens the industry’s pursuit of rapid innovation and growth. Based on proven modern infrastructure practices, its open interface platforms make it possible to launch and operate advanced services in a fraction of the time and cost of conventional approaches, with no compromise to network quality or security. Rakuten Symphony has operations in Japan, the United States, Singapore, India, South Korea, Europe and the Middle East Africa region. For more information about Rakuten Symphony’s offerings, visit: https://symphony.rakuten.com.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer
This release contains “forward-looking statements”, within the meaning of the 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 VEON’s strategic ambitions and changes in technology. There are numerous risks, uncertainties that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially from those expressed by such statements, including risks relating to VEON’s strategic ambitions and changes in technology, among others discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in VEON’s 2024 Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 25, 2025 and other public filings made by VEON with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this release and VEON disclaims any obligation to update them, except as required by law.

Contact Information
VEON 
Hande Asik
Chief Communications and Strategy Officer
pr@veon.com

Attachment

• Beeline Kazakhstan and Rakuten Symphony signing ceremony

FAQ

What did VEON announce on December 23, 2025 regarding Beeline Kazakhstan and Rakuten Symphony?

VEON announced a Memorandum of Understanding for Beeline Kazakhstan and Rakuten Symphony to explore collaboration on Open RAN, AI network intelligence, cloud‑native infrastructure, and digital services.

How could the VEON (VEON) MoU with Rakuten Symphony affect Beeline Kazakhstan's network plans?

The MoU intends to assess Open RAN, cloud‑native architectures and AI automation to support long‑term network modernization and improved customer experience.

Does the December 23, 2025 MoU between Beeline Kazakhstan and Rakuten Symphony include binding commercial terms?

No; the announcement describes an MoU to explore opportunities and does not state any signed binding contracts or deal values.

What technology areas are prioritized in the VEON and Rakuten Symphony collaboration for Kazakhstan?

Priorities listed include Open RAN, AI‑powered network intelligence, cloud solutions, next‑generation digital platforms, and global IoT and mobile workforce connectivity.

Is this VEON collaboration with Rakuten Symphony unique within the VEON group?

VEON noted this expands its collaboration with Rakuten to a second group company, following a partnership between Rakuten Symphony and Kyivstar Group in Ukraine.