Ukraine is first in Europe to launch Starlink mobile internet
Photo: Starlink internet will be launched in Ukraine in 2026 (Getty Images)
Ukraine will become the first European country to offer Starlink mobile communications services. Messaging will be launched by the end of the year, while mobile satellite broadband is expected to be launched in mid-2026, says Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov in an interview with Reuters.
Field trials have now begun as part of an agreement concluded at the end of 2024 with Space X. Communication will be via satellites equipped with modems. They will function as cell towers, transmitting phone signals from space directly to smartphones.
"The first phase is over-the-top (OTT) messaging ... So messaging via WhatsApp, Signal, and other systems ... It will be in place at the end of this year," he said.
"And probably at the beginning of 2026, let's be on the safe side, Q2 2026, we will be able to propose mobile satellite broadband data ... And voice," added the Kyivstar CEO.
Communication under rockets
Komarov said that Ukraine's telecommunications infrastructure has withstood the escalation of Russian attacks in recent weeks.
Last year, attacks on power grids and transmission lines led to daily blackouts in major cities, knocking out about half of Ukraine's available generating capacity.
"I think that we are much more resilient than we used to be in 2022. Right now we can run our fixed and mobile services up to 10 hours during the blackouts, even national blackouts," he said.
Komarov gave the interview before the conference on Ukraine's recovery in Rome. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also expected to attend the conference.
In 2024, Kyivstar entered into an exclusive partnership with Elon Musk's Starlink to develop and provide direct mobile communications in Ukraine.
Kyivstar significantly increased its mobile tariffs in Ukraine at the end of 2024.
