Post by : Badri Ariffin

Elon Musk’s Starlink, the satellite division of SpaceX, has finalized a significant collaboration with the international telecom company Veon. This partnership presents a chance to connect more than 150 million users directly with satellite networks, marking a fresh advancement in smartphone connectivity.

The direct-to-cell technology empowers standard mobile devices to link up with satellite systems circling our planet, thereby delivering connectivity to remote locations lacking traditional telecommunications infrastructure. This initiative is timely, considering the increasing investments aimed at bridging connectivity discrepancies in underserved areas.

As part of the plan, Veon will incorporate Starlink’s capabilities into its services, commencing with Beeline in Kazakhstan and Kyivstar in Ukraine. The launch is slated for Q4 2025 for Kyivstar, with Beeline expected to follow suit in 2026. Veon also serves various countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan, further extending Starlink’s potential user base.

“This is a landmark partnership in terms of the global customer base we can address,” commented Ilya Polshakov, Kyivstar’s new business director responsible for Veon's satellite projects. He also hinted at upcoming additional satellite connectivity agreements.

Although this deal is nonexclusive, Veon has shown a proactive stance towards collaborations with other satellite entities, including Amazon’s Project Kuiper, AST SpaceMobile, and Eutelsat OneWeb, with potential partnerships anticipated for 2027 and later.

The competition within this industry is intensifying. AST SpaceMobile has made heads turn with its partnerships involving Verizon and Saudi telecom STC, while Amazon’s Project Kuiper is set to unveil its first commercial launches in 2026.

Currently, Starlink caters to over 7 million users globally and boasts partnerships across 11 nations, including ties with T-Mobile in the U.S. and Rogers in Canada. Its satellite network comprises more than 8,000 satellites, with around 650 focused on direct-to-cell applications, solidifying its foothold in the thrilling satellite-to-smartphone ecosystem.

#Global News #Tech News