Overview
- Kyivstar activated satellite-delivered SMS for its 4G customers at no extra cost under a commercial deal with Starlink owner SpaceX and parent company VEON.
- Coverage spans most of Ukraine but excludes occupied territories, border areas, and active combat zones as stated by the companies.
- The rollout is designed to keep people connected where terrestrial networks are down or under repair, including recently re‑occupied regions and during rescue and humanitarian missions.
- The launch follows VEON’s framework agreement with Starlink, with further market expansions signaled after a separate deal announced by Beeline Kazakhstan.
- Access is currently available on Android phones with Apple support promised later, according to The Register.