Elon Musk’s Starlink to beam ‘uninterrupted’ cell service to Ukraine from space


  • Kyivstar signed a deal to give customers in Ukraine access to Starlink’s space-based cell service.

  • Customers will be able to send text messages if the terrestrial network is down, Kyivstar said.

  • Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian infrastructure since it launched its invasion in 2022.

Elon Musk’s Starlink has signed a deal with Ukraine’s largest telecoms operator to provide consumers in the country with “uninterrupted” satellite-powered mobile connectivity.

The deal is set to give Kyivstar customers the ability to send text messages even if the terrestrial network is down, the company said on Monday.

Starlink’s direct-to-cell service is expected to come online in the fourth quarter of 2025, with voice and data transmission services coming later.

Kyivstar said Ukraine would become one of the first countries to deploy the service, which can be accessed on phones without any additional hardware or software so long as they have 4G LTE capabilities.

Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, has sent thousands of Starlink kits to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in February 2022. The kits are portable terminals that receive broadband connections directly from Starlink’s constellation of satellites, rather than a mass-consumer network rollout.

Ukraine’s military has been using Starlink terminals for internet connectivity in remote locations, making the service an important front-line resource.

Since invading nearly the country three years ago, Russia has consistently attacked Ukraine’s infrastructure, including a drone and missile strike on its energy infrastructure on Christmas Day.

Kaan Terzioglu, the CEO of Veon Group, Kyivstar’s parent company, said in an announcement that the Starlink deal would “significantly increase the resilience of our services thanks to satellite technologies” for its more than 23 million mobile subscribers.

SpaceX completed its first constellation of Starlink direct-to-cell satellites during a Falcon 9 rocket launch in early December.

The company has struck deals with telecom companies elsewhere around the world for direct-to-cell service, including T-Mobile in the US, and has partnered with airlines to offer free WiFi on flights.

Global internet traffic from Starlink more than tripled in 2024, according to data from the IT service provider Cloudflare.

Read the original article on Business Insider



Elon Musk’s Starlink to beam ‘uninterrupted’ cell service to Ukraine from space

Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, is set to provide “uninterrupted” cell service to Ukraine from space. This groundbreaking initiative comes at a crucial time as Ukraine continues to face challenges with its existing telecom infrastructure.

Starlink, which aims to provide high-speed internet to underserved areas around the world, will now expand its services to include cell service in Ukraine. This move is expected to improve connectivity for millions of Ukrainians, especially in rural and remote areas where traditional cell service is limited.

With Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellites, users in Ukraine can expect faster and more reliable cell service, even in areas with poor network coverage. This will not only benefit individuals but also businesses, emergency services, and government agencies that rely on seamless communication.

Elon Musk’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and providing connectivity to those in need is evident in this latest endeavor. With Starlink’s innovative technology, Ukraine is poised to experience a significant improvement in its telecommunications infrastructure.

As the world watches this unprecedented collaboration between SpaceX and Ukraine unfold, it is clear that Elon Musk’s vision of a connected world is becoming a reality. The future of communication is indeed looking brighter with initiatives like Starlink leading the way.

Tags:

  1. Elon Musk
  2. Starlink
  3. Cell service
  4. Ukraine
  5. Space technology
  6. Satellite internet
  7. Connectivity
  8. Innovation
  9. SpaceX
  10. Global communication.

#Elon #Musks #Starlink #beam #uninterrupted #cell #service #Ukraine #space

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