VEON’s Kyivstar Reaches 3.0 million Customers with Starlink Direct to Cell Services
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
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, VEON gained 0.98%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
VEON was up 1.24% with mixed peer moves: some telecoms higher (e.g., TDS +3.6%, PHI +0.71%) and others lower (e.g., LBTYB -3.23%). No broad, synchronized sector trend is indicated.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 12 | 5G pilot launch | Positive | -0.1% | Kyivstar launched a 5G pilot in Lviv to test urban performance. |
| Dec 23 | Network collaboration | Positive | -0.3% | Beeline Kazakhstan and Rakuten Symphony agreed to collaborate on next-gen networks. |
| Dec 19 | Islamic banking launch | Positive | -1.5% | Mobilink Microfinance Bank launched Islamic banking operations in Pakistan. |
| Dec 18 | Listing tier upgrade | Positive | -0.3% | VEON ADSs moved to the Nasdaq Global Select Market, increasing visibility. |
| Dec 16 | Renewable acquisition | Positive | +1.4% | Kyivstar acquired a solar company adding 12.9 MW of renewable capacity. |
Recent strategically positive announcements have often seen flat to slightly negative next-day moves, with only one clearly positive price reaction among the last five events.
Over the past month, VEON has reported several strategic initiatives across its portfolio. On Dec 16, 2025, Kyivstar’s acquisition of solar capacity added 12.9 MW and supported a 1.45% gain. Subsequent corporate and capital markets updates, including the Dec 18, 2025 upgrade to the Nasdaq Global Select Market and the Jan 12, 2026 5G pilot launch in Lviv, were followed by modest declines. The current Starlink Direct to Cell adoption update fits a pattern of ongoing network innovation and resilience-focused investment.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights rapid uptake of Starlink Direct to Cell services, with Kyivstar surpassing 3.0 million registered users, accounting for over 10% of its mobile base and more than 1.2 million SMS sent via satellite since November 24, 2025. It reinforces VEON’s focus on resilient connectivity in Ukraine and early testing in Kazakhstan. In context of prior 5G and infrastructure initiatives, investors may monitor ongoing user growth, regional expansion, regulatory approvals, and execution amid geopolitical challenges.
Key Terms
direct to cell technical
satellite connectivity technical
4g smartphone technical
regulatory approval regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
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
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
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
How many Kyivstar users are on Starlink Direct to Cell as of January 15, 2026 (VEON)?
What share of Kyivstar’s subscribers use Starlink Direct to Cell (KYIV)?
When did Kyivstar launch Starlink Direct to Cell and how many SMS were sent (KYIVW)?
Is Starlink Direct to Cell free for Kyivstar customers and who is eligible?
Where in Ukraine is Starlink Direct to Cell most used by Kyivstar customers?
Will VEON roll out Starlink Direct to Cell in Kazakhstan and when (VEON)?
