VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ:VEON), a global digital operator ("VEON" or the "Company"), today announces that Kyivstar, its digital operator in Ukraine, has received regulatory approval to conduct testing of Starlink Direct-to-Cell (D2C) services from the Ukrainian National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications, Radio Frequency Spectrum and the Provision of Postal Services (NCEC). Today's regulatory approval for field testing follows successful integration of Kyivstar's core mobile network with Starlink's Direct-to-Cell service.
The planned launch of D2C services with support for SMS and over-the-top (OTT) messaging is scheduled for Q4 2025 and is expected to further enhance Kyivstar's ability to provide essential connectivity for Ukraine, especially in areas impacted by infrastructure damage and rural regions, as well as during emergencies. Field testing is planned to commence in select Ukrainian regions this summer, beginning with text message services.