In Ukraine, iPhone users can now connect to satellite communication thanks to the Starlink Direct to Cell technology. Previously, this service was only available to Android smartphone owners, but now, owners of iPhone 13 and newer models with iOS 26.2 and above can send SMS directly via satellite in areas without mobile network coverage.
This is reported by Finway
Expanding the Availability of Starlink Direct to Cell
The launch of Starlink Direct to Cell across Ukraine was recently announced by the company Kyivstar. According to Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, just three weeks after the technology’s launch, over 2 million subscribers connected to the satellite service and were able to send and receive more than 540,000 SMS.
“Ukrainians will remain connected in hard-to-reach places: during bad weather, power outages, or network disruptions. The system operates through a network of 600 Starlink satellites supporting Starlink Direct to Cell,” Fedorov explained.
This cutting-edge technology allows regular 4G smartphones to connect directly to satellites, bypassing the need for ground-based base stations. This is especially relevant for residents of remote areas where traditional mobile coverage may be absent or unstable.
Availability and Future Development Plans
The Starlink Direct to Cell coverage is available throughout Ukraine, except for temporarily occupied regions by Russia, border areas, and regions where active hostilities are taking place. Ukrainian subscribers of Kyivstar can use the satellite SMS service even in the complete absence of mobile signal and without additional charges.
The next phase plans to introduce voice calls and mobile internet through Starlink Direct to Cell — this feature is expected to be available by 2026. Ukraine has become the first country in Europe and one of the first in the world to implement this innovative satellite technology.
Additionally, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law regulating mobile communication quality standards, including requirements for mobile internet speed. This document establishes clear criteria to ensure quality communication for all citizens of the country.