Starlink and Veon Forge Major Alliance for Satellite Phone Services

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

In a groundbreaking move, Elon Musk's Starlink, associated with SpaceX, has secured its largest direct-to-cell partnership, joining forces with Veon, a global telecommunications leader. This collaboration aims to connect over 150 million potential users directly to satellite networks, marking a significant advance in extending smartphone capabilities beyond the reach of traditional mobile towers.

The technology enables standard mobile devices to access satellite connections, addressing the urgent need for connectivity in hard-to-reach locations around the world. This development is part of a broader investment trend focused on bridging digital divides in isolated communities.

As part of the arrangement, Veon will incorporate Starlink’s offerings into its network portfolio, beginning with services for Beeline in Kazakhstan and Kyivstar in Ukraine. Kyivstar is expected to roll out its services in Q4 2025, with Beeline following suit in 2026. Veon’s operations span across Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan, presenting an opportunity for Starlink to connect countless more users.

Ilya Polshakov, Kyivstar's new business director leading the satellite projects, declared, “This partnership represents the most extensive customer reach we’ve seen on a global scale.” He also indicated the likelihood of further satellite connectivity agreements in the near future.

Although the agreement is nonexclusive, Veon has shown enthusiasm for potential collaborations with other satellite providers, such as Amazon’s Project Kuiper, AST SpaceMobile, and Eutelsat OneWeb, with prospects for partnerships emerging as soon as 2027.

With competition intensifying in the satellite communications arena, AST SpaceMobile has already formed alliances with Verizon and the Saudi carrier STC, while Amazon’s Project Kuiper is set to initiate commercial operations in 2026.

Currently, Starlink serves over 7 million customers internationally and has existing partnerships in 11 nations, including T-Mobile in the U.S. and Rogers in Canada. The constellation boasts over 8,000 satellites in orbit, with approximately 650 committed to enabling direct-to-cell service, positioning Starlink at the forefront of the satellite phone market.