VEON and Starlink Partner for Direct-to-Cell Services in Kazakhstan and Ukraine

VEON, the parent company of Jazz, has announced a partnership with SpaceX subsidiary Starlink to introduce Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity in Kazakhstan and Ukraine through its operators Beeline and Kyivstar, Reuters reported. The agreement allows Veon to integrate Starlink’s satellite-based mobile service into its networks, beginning with Beeline in Kazakhstan and Kyivstar in Ukraine. While VEON operates in several countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan, this agreement currently applies only to Kazakhstan and Ukraine. There are no immediate rollout plans for Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell service in Pakistan or other VEON markets at this stage. While the partnership is nonexclusive, Veon is also exploring talks with other satellite providers, including Amazon’s Project Kuiper, AST SpaceMobile, and Eutelsat OneWeb. Starlink currently serves more than seven million users worldwide, partnering with telecom operators in 11 countries. SpaceX operates a fleet of over 8,000 satellites, with 650 dedicated to direct-to-cell services. The deal marks a major step in expanding global connectivity.