Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest mobile operator, started testing a service that would deliver internet from satellites to cellphones.
Ukraine’s New “Sky‑High” Mobile Hookup
At the end of last week, Kyivstar – the country’s biggest phone company – threw a feathered makeover at its network. They started testing a Direct‑to‑Cell (DTC) service that will let 4G and LTE phones talk straight to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites. Mnemonic: Phones in the clouds, texts on the ground.
Why this matters
- Future network slated for mid‑2026 will cover those hard‑to‑reach hills and spread‑out villages where spotty signals have been a nightmare.
- Direct satellite calls mean no need to hinge on ground‑based towers that can be damaged or wiped out in conflict.
Expert Take‑away
When reporters asked Euronews Next what the partnership feels like, experts said it’s “an honest‑to‑God practical move”. The flip side? Ukraine is deepening its dependence on Musk’s tech stack.
“You’re basically handing half your network to one guy in California, which is a sovereignty headache,” explained Dario Garcia de Viedma, a tech‑policy fellow at Spain’s Elcano Institute.
“But right now, the fight priorities scream louder; winning the war > “tech sovereignty.”
“Europe’s not far behind – it’s making similar concessions to stay afloat.”
What’s Inside the Plan?
- Phones snag the rover link, sending SMS and the occasional MMS through the orbital highway.
- Data will trickle back via ground stations, keeping the Russian‑free vibe intact.
- If the satellites go down, a supply chain breakdown could happen – the risk? Mitigated by the sheer scale of Starlink’s fleet and the near‑unpredictable geopolitical must‑do.
Bottom Line
So, Ukraine’s far‑off neighbors might be pitched a game where tech meets warfare: connect up, stay sharp, stay safe. And that’s the hot ticket for those remote souls craving a signal they can trust.
An ‘extreme reliance’ on Starlink in Ukraine
Starlink’s Groundbreaking Internet for Ukraine
Imagine a gigantic fleet of more than 7,800 tiny satellites dancing around Earth at about 550 kilometres high, streaming data faster than a fiber‑optic cable can. That’s the essence of Starlink—and it’s become a lifeline for Ukraine, especially where building ordinary phone towers feels like a daring architectural feat.
Why Starlink Fits Ukraine So Well
- Compact terminals: Each device is roughly the size of a paperback book, so they’re easy to lift, set up, and hide if needed.
- Great connectivity: Users report reliable speeds, even in the most remote spots.
- Budget‑friendly: The pricing stays in line with mainstream broadband, making it a cost‑effective solution.
Jan Frederik Slijkerman, a senior credit‑sector strategist at ING Think, summed it up: “Starlink boasts excellent connectivity, portability, and normal pricing for broadband.”
How Ukraine Got Their First Kits
Shortly after the Russian escalation in February 2022, Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s minister for digital transformation, reached out to Elon Musk for Starlink terminals. Six days later, the country received its first kits—complete with terminals, a kickstand, router, and cables.
The Numbers Behind the Impact
By April, Fedorov disclosed that 50,000 terminals were actively fighting to keep Ukraine’s railways, schools, and hospitals online during power outages caused by attacks.
Military Uses
During the 2022 Aerorozvidka mission, troops used Starlink to keep “Delta” (the combat‑control system) online when electric supplies faltered.
According to Garcia de Viedma, the nation’s reliance on Starlink has reached a “critical point” that can’t be swapped off quickly. He quipped that without such connectivity, Ukrainian forces might need to resort to pigeons or smoke signals—definitely not a strategy for modern warfare.
The Rumored Musk‑Trade Plan
In March, whispers hit the news that Elon Musk might consider nipping the service, pressuring Ukraine into a hefty $500 billion (≈€430 billion) trade offer for rare‑earth minerals via President Trump. Musk, however, denied using Starlink as a bargaining chip, stating unequivocally that he would “never turn off” the terminals, no matter the disagreement.
Bottom Line
Starlink’s small, agile network has become more than just high‑speed internet; it’s a critical backbone for essential services—even amid war. The stakes are high, but for now, the partnership between Elon Musk’s network and Ukraine’s resilience remains surprisingly solid—and not just a story of satellites, but a story of ingenuity and grit.
‘Work on alternatives’
Keeping Musk in the Game: Kyivstar’s Smart Move with Starlink
Garcia de Viedma points out that the deal with Kyivstar could be a neat trick to make Elon Musk stick around and not just yank the satellites from the sky.
- Musk gets to tap into Kyivstar’s massive customer base. Instead of just selling military contracts, he can rake in cash from everyday users, making a breakup harder to justify.
- But Ukraine’s not sitting idly. Garcia de Viedma and Slijkerman think it’s crucial to build a backup plan—diversify internet services so the country keeps the deals humming.
- “Shutting off the satellites is risky,” says Slijkerman. “Renewed reassurances don’t cut it. Working on alternatives makes sense.”
Two Strategies in the Blueprint
- Target Hard‑to‑Reach Zones
- Only provide Starlink‑Kyivstar coverage to remote areas.
- City customers keep 4G/LTE as a safety net—because who wants a digital blackout?
- European Alternatives
- Plug into Eutelsat (Franco‑British) or the EU’s IRIS2 platform.
- But don’t forget: Starlink still rocks the leaderboard—most satellites, fastest launches, and a customer base of ~6 million as of July.
Bottom line: Ukraine’s internet future is a mix of Starlink’s sky‑high reach and a solid ground‑level backup. A move that keeps the tech giant in check while ensuring the nation stays online—no matter what the universe throws its way.