Direct-to-Cell technology, which turns a regular smartphone into a satellite phone, is now available to Apple users on the Kyivstar network. The company’s press service reported this.
Earlier, on November 24, 2025, this feature became available for Android smartphone owners. Now iOS users are joining the testing program.
Device requirements: the technology is supported on iPhone 13 and later models.
Starlink Direct to Cell technology is a joint development of SpaceX and mobile operators (in Ukraine, Kyivstar), which allows a phone to connect directly to Starlink satellites in orbit.
- The main advantage: No additional equipment (terminals, antennas) is required for communication. The phone works as usual, but receives a signal from space.
- When to use: The technology is designed for “dead zones” – areas without coverage from ground-based stations (mountains, forests, blackout zones, or infrastructure damage).
- Functionality for today: Subscribers can currently only send and receive SMS messages.
The company emphasizes that text messages are only the first stage. In the future, the functionality is planned to be expanded:
- Voice calls
- Mobile Internet
For Ukraine, in war conditions, this is a critically important communication backup technology. If ground infrastructure is damaged by shelling or power is cut off, phones will automatically search for a satellite signal, allowing people to stay in touch with relatives and emergency services. Previously, satellite communication was available only to owners of specialized, expensive phones (Iridium, Thuraya) or Starlink terminals, but now it is becoming widespread.
