Satellite connectivity \u2014 in every Ukrainian\u2019s smartphone. I tested Starlink\u2019s Direct to Cell @SpaceX<\/a> technology with @TwiyKyivstar<\/a> CEO Oleksandr Komarov. This is a technology of the future, and it will soon be available in \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 pic.twitter.com\/c0Us7TAo3T<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) August 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n With Starlink\u2019s Direct to\u00a0Cell system, Ukrainians will be\u00a0able to\u00a0send SMS messages in\u00a0remote or\u00a0hard-to-reach areas\u2014such as\u00a0in\u00a0the mountains, during severe weather, or\u00a0blackouts\u2014without the need for expensive satellite equipment.<\/p>\n The only requirements: a\u00a0standard 4G smartphone with a\u00a0SIM or\u00a0eSIM card, and a\u00a0clear view of\u00a0the\u00a0sky.<\/p>\n \u201cThis technology will ensure that Ukrainians can stay connected without mobile network coverage, via SMS,\u201d Fedorov said. \u201cReliable communication for every Ukrainian is\u00a0one of\u00a0our key priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n Fedorov and Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov personally tested the technology, successfully exchanging the first text messages sent via satellite directly from smartphones.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is\u00a0a\u00a0breakthrough that doesn\u2019t require buying special devices\u2014your regular phone will work,\u201d Komarov noted.<\/p>\n Ukraine joins the United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand as\u00a0one of\u00a0the first nations to\u00a0deploy Starlink Direct to\u00a0Cell.<\/p>\n The move comes despite the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials stressing that maintaining strong, accessible communications is\u00a0critical to\u00a0both civilian life and national resilience.<\/p>\n The service is\u00a0expected to\u00a0be\u00a0particularly valuable in\u00a0rural areas, war-affected zones, and during emergencies when traditional mobile networks may fail.<\/p>\n Earlier, reports emerged that Ukraine\u2019s largest telecom operator, Kyivstar, aims<\/a> to\u00a0raise between $50 million and $200 million through a\u00a0landmark stock market listing in\u00a0New York this year.<\/p>\n![\"Ukraine\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/620e3d16dd1c4f7a61b2703eabd2915e.jpg\" "\\"Ukraine\u2019s")
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\n Ukraine\u2019s Minister of\u00a0Digital Transformation of\u00a0Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov (R), with Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov (L), August 12, 2025. (Source: Mykhailo Fedorov)<\/p>\n
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