Without coverage, but with communication: Ukraine launches satellite SMS from Starlink

Ukraine became one of the first countries in the world to launch Starlink Direct to Cell technology , which allows you to send SMS even without mobile network coverage.

This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov .

Together with Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov, he tested the new technology. The first text messages from smartphones via satellite have already been successfully sent. Users do not need additional equipment – a regular 4G smartphone with a SIM or eSIM is enough.

Direct to Cell will allow Ukrainians to stay connected during war and emergency outages, in the mountains, during bad weather, or in any area without mobile coverage. The only requirement is direct visibility of the sky.

Ukraine is testing the technology alongside the US, Japan, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Despite the war, the country continues to innovate to ensure stable connectivity for its citizens.

Direct to Cell is currently in beta testing, with an official launch planned for this fall.

As previously reported, Ukraine has launched a new joint initiative with NVIDIA to create sovereign artificial intelligence and develop a national AI infrastructure.

As a reminder, the European Commission officially addressed the EU Council with a proposal to start negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the government satellite communication segment Govsatcom and participation in the European Union’s IRIS² Secure Space Connectivity Program.

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