Kyivstar partners with Starlink Mobile to launch satellite-powered 'light data' service for 4G Android smartphones

Type: Partnership · Technology: Telecom · Country: Ukraine · Announced: 2026-06-17

Ukrainian telecom operator Kyivstar partnered with Starlink Mobile to launch a satellite-powered 'light data' service enabling 4G Android smartphone users to access Viber, WhatsApp, and Google Maps in areas lacking terrestrial network coverage. The service follows Kyivstar's November 2025 deployment of satellite-based SMS services, with over 10 million SMS messages transmitted via satellite since launch, including 6 million during Ukraine's January-February 2026 blackouts. Additional apps are planned for integration as they meet Starlink's technical requirements, with future Apple device support anticipated. Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov stated the partnership is elevating satellite connectivity in Ukraine, positioning the service as a critical resilience tool during wartime disruptions.

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