Starlink Mobile Services: A New Era of Connectivity in Ukraine
Ukraine will become the first European nation to introduce mobile Starlink services. Messaging features will be launched by the end of this year, while satellite broadband access is expected by mid-2026.
This information is reported by Reuters, citing the CEO of "Kyivstar," Oleksandr Komarov.
Field trials have already begun under an agreement signed in late 2024 with Space. This will enable Elon Musk's company to provide direct communication services to mobile phones in Ukraine.
Communication will occur via satellites equipped with modems. They will function like cellular towers, transmitting phone signals from space directly to smartphones.
"The first stage is messaging through OTT technologies (over-the-top messaging)... meaning messaging via WhatsApp, Signal, and other systems," Komarov said to Reuters in Rome.
According to him, this will be implemented by the end of the year.
"And likely, at the beginning of 2026, in the second quarter, we will be able to offer mobile satellite broadband data and voice services," the Kyivstar director added.
