VEON’s Kyivstar Reaches 3.0 million Customers with Starlink Direct to Cell Services

VEON (Nasdaq: VEON) said Kyivstar (Nasdaq: KYIV; KYIVW) reached 3.0 million registered users for Starlink Direct to Cell satellite services, representing > 10% of Kyivstar’s mobile subscribers.

Rhea-AI Summary

VEON (Nasdaq: VEON) said Kyivstar (Nasdaq: KYIV; KYIVW) reached 3.0 million registered users for Starlink Direct to Cell satellite services, representing > 10% of Kyivstar’s mobile subscribers. Launched on November 24, 2025, the service has delivered over 1.2 million SMS via satellite and is most used in Kyiv, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi and Dnipro.

The service is available free to about 15.5 million 4G Kyivstar subscribers via regular tariffs and works in open areas with a clear sky line of sight. VEON also reported a successful Starlink Direct to Cell WhatsApp call test by Beeline Kazakhstan and plans SMS rollout in 2026, subject to regulatory approval.

Positive

• 3.0M users registered for Starlink Direct to Cell
• Service covers > 10% of Kyivstar mobile subscribers
• 1.2M SMS delivered via satellite since Nov 24, 2025
• Accessible to ~15.5M 4G Kyivstar subscribers at no extra charge
• Successful Starlink Direct to Cell WhatsApp call test in Kazakhstan

Negative

• Service requires open areas with a clear line of sight to the sky
• Usage concentrated in five cities, indicating geographic limits
• Beeline Kazakhstan rollout subject to regulatory approval

Argus Jan 15 session

+0.98% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – VEON

On Jan 15, the day this news came out, VEON closed 0.98% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Jan 15 session.

Key Figures

Direct to Cell users: 3.0 million users Subscriber penetration: Over 10% SMS via satellite: Over 1.2 million messages +4 more

Direct to Cell users

3.0 million users

Registered Kyivstar users for Starlink Direct to Cell

Subscriber penetration

Over 10%

Share of Kyivstar mobile base using Direct to Cell

SMS via satellite

Over 1.2 million messages

SMS delivered over satellite since Nov 24, 2025

Eligible 4G users

About 15.5 million subscribers

Kyivstar 4G smartphone users with free Direct to Cell access

Service launch date

November 24, 2025

Start of Kyivstar Starlink Direct to Cell services

Cities with broad use

5 cities

Kyiv, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi and Dnipro

Kazakhstan launch timing

2026

Planned start of Direct to Cell SMS in Kazakhstan, pending approval

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 12

5 events

1. Jan 12

   5G pilot launch

   24h Move

   -0.1%

   Kyivstar launched a 5G pilot in Lviv to test urban performance.

2. Dec 23

   Network collaboration

   24h Move

   -0.3%

   Beeline Kazakhstan and Rakuten Symphony agreed to collaborate on next-gen networks.

3. Dec 19

   Islamic banking launch

   24h Move

   -1.5%

   Mobilink Microfinance Bank launched Islamic banking operations in Pakistan.

4. Dec 18

   Listing tier upgrade

   24h Move

   -0.3%

   VEON ADSs moved to the Nasdaq Global Select Market, increasing visibility.

5. Dec 16

   Renewable acquisition

   24h Move

   +1.4%

   Kyivstar acquired a solar company adding 12.9 MW of renewable capacity.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

direct to cell, satellite connectivity, 4g smartphone, regulatory approval

4 terms

direct to cell technical

"has now reached over 3.0 million registered users for Direct to Cell satellite connectivity"

Direct-to-cell is a therapeutic delivery approach that puts a drug, gene therapy, or other active payload directly into the target cells instead of relying on broad distribution through the bloodstream or whole organs. For investors, it matters because this targeted delivery can boost effectiveness and reduce side effects—like delivering a package to a specific apartment instead of leaving it in the building lobby—potentially improving clinical outcomes, commercial appeal and regulatory risk, while often requiring specialized technology.

satellite connectivity technical

"registered users for Direct to Cell satellite connectivity services, powered by Starlink"

Satellite connectivity is the delivery of voice, data and internet services through orbiting satellites instead of ground-based cables or cell towers, like having Wi‑Fi from space that reaches remote areas and moving vehicles. Investors care because it can create new revenue streams, expand markets where traditional networks don’t reach, and offer network backup or global coverage; at the same time it involves high upfront costs, regulatory approvals and technology risk that affect profitability and growth forecasts.

4g smartphone technical

"Starlink Direct to Cell is accessible free of charge to all 4G smartphone users"

A 4G smartphone is a mobile device that connects to fourth-generation cellular networks, enabling faster internet, clearer calls, and smoother video compared with older phones — think of it as upgrading from a narrow country road to a multi-lane highway. For investors, the share of users with 4G phones influences sales, service usage, data revenue, and how quickly carriers and app makers can sell higher-value services, so adoption rates affect company growth and profit potential.

regulatory approval regulatory

"plans to introduce Starlink Direct to Cell connectivity ... in 2026, subject to regulatory approval"

Regulatory approval is the official permission given by government agencies or authorities that allows a product, service, or business activity to be legally operated or sold. It is important to investors because receiving approval often indicates that a product has been reviewed for safety and compliance, which can influence its success and the company’s prospects in the market. Without this approval, launching or selling certain products may be restricted or prohibited.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Dubai and Kyiv, January 15, 2026 – VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator (“VEON”), today announced that Kyivstar (Nasdaq: KYIV; KYIVW), Ukraine's leading digital operator, has now reached over 3.0 million registered users for Direct to Cell satellite connectivity services, powered by Starlink. This user base corresponds to over 10% of Kyivstar’s mobile subscribers.

Since the launching of the service on November 24, 2025, over 1.2 million SMS messages have been delivered via satellite connectivity. The technology has proven especially vital in Ukraine’s southern and eastern regions, underscoring the crucial role of connectivity in these areas and reaffirming VEON and Kyivstar’s dedication to maintaining resilient communication in Ukraine. The satellite technology has been most broadly used in five cities: Kyiv, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi and Dnipro.

"The rapid adoption of Starlink Direct to Cell services by Kyivstar subscribers demonstrates the critical importance of enhancing Ukraine’s resilience and our customers’ appreciation for the availability of satellite-based connectivity, " said Kaan Terzioğlu, VEON Group CEO and Executive Chairman of Kyivstar. "We will continue to lead the way in providing innovative services that Ukraine needs to build its digital future and in meeting the ever-growing demand of our customers for digital connectivity.”

Starlink Direct to Cell is accessible free of charge to all 4G smartphone users on Kyivstar network – about 15.5 million subscribers – through their regular tariff plans and without further modifications to their device settings. The technology operates in open areas with a clear line of sight to the sky.

In addition to the widespread uptake of Direct to Cell services in Ukraine, VEON’s Beeline Kazakhstan has also recently successfully tested Starlink Direct to Cell services with the first Starlink Direct to Cell through a WhatsApp call in Central Asia. Following this successful test, Beeline Kazakhstan plans to introduce Starlink Direct to Cell connectivity for customers beginning with SMS services in 2026, subject to regulatory approval.

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 Kyivstar
Kyivstar Group Ltd. is a Nasdaq-listed holding company that operates JSC Kyivstar, Ukraine’s leading digital operator and the first Ukrainian company to have its shares traded on a U.S. stock exchange. Kyivstar Group’s operations span 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 and technological development, charitable donations and strategic acquisitions. For more information, please visit https://investors.kyivstar.ua. Nasdaq tickers: KYIV; KYIVW

About Starlink Direct to Cell
Starlink Direct to Cell is the world’s only and largest constellation with more than 650 satellites in low-Earth orbit that delivers data, voice, video and messaging to devices in mobile dead zones. Connecting more than 12M customers, with more than six million monthly active users, across six continents and counting, Direct to Cell satellites work with existing LTE phones wherever you can see the sky. Acting like a cell phone tower in space with the most advanced phased array antennas in the world that connect seamlessly across the Starlink network over lasers to any point in the globe, it enables network integration similar to a standard roaming partner. Starlink is the world’s largest 4G coverage provider and partners with Mobile Network Operators all over the world. Learn more here and follow @Starlink on X.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer
This release contains “forward-looking statements”, as the phrase is defined in U.S. securities laws. The forward-looking statements in this release, including those related to VEON’s and its subsidiaries’ Starlink partnerships, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results and performance to differ materially from those expressed by such statements. These risks include those relating to uncertainty over success of our strategic initiatives, among others discussed in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 25, 2025. 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 U.S. federal securities laws.

Contact Information

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

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

How many Kyivstar users are on Starlink Direct to Cell as of January 15, 2026 (VEON)?

Kyivstar has reached 3.0 million registered users for Starlink Direct to Cell as of January 15, 2026.

What share of Kyivstar’s subscribers use Starlink Direct to Cell (KYIV)?

The registered users equal over 10% of Kyivstar’s mobile subscriber base.

When did Kyivstar launch Starlink Direct to Cell and how many SMS were sent (KYIVW)?

The service launched on November 24, 2025 and has delivered over 1.2 million SMS via satellite.

Is Starlink Direct to Cell free for Kyivstar customers and who is eligible?

Yes; the service is accessible free of charge to about 15.5 million 4G Kyivstar subscribers through regular tariff plans.

Where in Ukraine is Starlink Direct to Cell most used by Kyivstar customers?

The technology has been most broadly used in Kyiv, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi and Dnipro.

Will VEON roll out Starlink Direct to Cell in Kazakhstan and when (VEON)?

Beeline Kazakhstan successfully tested a Starlink Direct to Cell WhatsApp call and plans to introduce SMS services in 2026, subject to regulatory approval.