Ukraine launched Starlink Direct to Cell: how satellite communication will work with smartphones

According to hvylya.net: Ukraine has achieved a significant breakthrough by becoming one of the first countries in the world to launch the innovative technology Starlink Direct to Cell. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and First Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced this on August 12, 2025.

Starlink Direct to Cell allows users to connect directly via satellite without the need for antennas or additional equipment. To connect to this network, all you need is a regular 4G smartphone and a SIM card.

The testing of the new system has already taken place, as Fedorov and the CEO of Kyivstar Oleksandr Komarov exchanged the first messages via satellite directly from their smartphones. The first phase of launching this technology in Ukraine is scheduled for the autumn of 2025, when users will be able to send SMS messages from anywhere in the country.

Starlink Direct to Cell opens up new communication possibilities for Ukrainians in hard-to-reach areas where signal problems usually occur. This is particularly relevant during emergencies when communications or power networks may be damaged. In times of war and the threat of information isolation, this technology can save lives and ensure the safety of citizens.

Ukraine has now joined the ranks of leading countries testing Starlink Direct to Cell alongside the USA, Australia, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand. This technology is undergoing its final stage of testing before widespread implementation.