Starlink Strikes Massive Deal with Veon to Expand Satellite Phones

Elon Musk’s Starlink, the satellite arm of SpaceX, has scored its biggest direct-to-cell partnership yet, teaming up with global telecom group Veon. The deal opens access to over 150 million potential users, marking a new milestone in the push to connect smartphones directly to satellites.

Direct-to-cell technology allows regular mobile phones to tap into satellite networks orbiting Earth, providing coverage in areas where traditional towers can’t reach. This move comes amid a surge in investment aimed at closing connectivity gaps in remote regions worldwide.

Under the agreement, Veon will integrate Starlink’s service into its networks, starting with Beeline in Kazakhstan and Kyivstar in Ukraine. Kyivstar plans to launch the service in Q4 2025, with Beeline following in 2026. Veon also operates in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan, potentially extending Starlink’s reach across millions more users.

“This is the largest partnership in terms of addressable customer base globally,” said Ilya Polshakov, Kyivstar’s new business director spearheading Veon’s satellite initiatives. He also hinted that more satellite connectivity deals are expected soon.

While the deal is nonexclusive, Veon has expressed interest in working with other satellite operators, including Amazon’s Project Kuiper, AST SpaceMobile, and Eutelsat OneWeb, with potential collaborations projected for 2027 and beyond.

Competition in this sector is heating up. AST SpaceMobile has already secured agreements with Verizon and Saudi carrier STC, while Amazon’s Project Kuiper is preparing its first commercial launches for 2026.

Starlink currently serves over 7 million users worldwide and has partnerships in 11 countries, including T-Mobile in the U.S. and Rogers in Canada. Its constellation includes more than 8,000 satellites, with around 650 dedicated to direct-to-cell services, further strengthening its position in the emerging satellite-to-smartphone market.