Starlink, Veon Announce Major Direct-to-Cell Partnership
- tech360.tv
- 3 hours ago
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Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, has secured its largest direct-to-cell deal yet with telecoms group Veon, granting access to over 150 million potential customers. This partnership intensifies competition in satellite-to-smartphone connectivity.
Direct-to-cell technology enables smartphones to connect directly to satellite networks in space, which then beam telephone signals back to Earth. The market has gained significant momentum through investment aimed at closing coverage gaps in remote areas.
The agreement allows Veon to integrate Starlink’s service into its networks, beginning with operators Beeline in Kazakhstan and Kyivstar in Ukraine. Veon also maintains operations in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan.
Kyivstar is scheduled to launch the service in the fourth quarter of 2025, with Beeline to follow in 2026. The Kazakhstan agreement was announced during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Washington.
Ilya Polshakov, Kyivstar’s new business director who spearheaded Veon’s satellite connectivity efforts, commented, "This is the biggest partnership in terms of addressable customer base in the world." Polshakov added, "There will be more announced soon."
The partnership remains nonexclusive, permitting Veon to pursue agreements with other satellite providers. Veon Chief Executive Officer Kaan Terzioglu stated in Aug. that Veon was in discussions with Amazon’s Project Kuiper, AST SpaceMobile, and Eutelsat OneWeb.
Polshakov noted, "These plans with other players will be in 2027, 2028. I don't want to wait. I want to develop business today." Competitors, including AST SpaceMobile and Amazon’s Project Kuiper, are advancing their satellite constellations, with initial commercial launches anticipated in 2026.
AST has already signed deals with Verizon and Saudi carrier STC. EchoStar announced it would expand its previous deal with SpaceX to sell additional U.S. airwave rights to Starlink for USD 2.6 billion, allowing Starlink to access more customers.
Starlink currently serves more than 7 million users globally and collaborates with telecom operators in 11 countries, including T-Mobile in the U.S., and Rogers in Canada. The company operates over 8,000 satellites, with 650 dedicated to direct-to-cell services.
Starlink, a SpaceX subsidiary, partnered with Veon in its largest direct-to-cell deal to date.
The agreement provides access to over 150 million potential customers across Veon’s operating countries.
Kyivstar in Ukraine will launch service in the fourth quarter of 2025, followed by Beeline in Kazakhstan in 2026.
Source: REUTERS