Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Dubai and Kyiv, 30 December 2024: VEON Ltd (AS:). (Nasdaq: VEON (NASDAQ:)), a global digital operator (VEON or VEON Group), today announces that Kyivstar, its digital operator in Ukraine, has signed an agreement with Starlink, a division of SpaceX, to produce t Fast process at all. -cell satellite connection of Ukraine.
When launched, the service will make Ukraine one of the first countries to have Starlink’s game-changing direct-to-cell service, boosting the country’s connectivity stability. Kyivstar expects to launch Starlink services directly to the cell with SMS and OTT messaging functionality in the fourth quarter of 2025 for Kyivstar customers, and plans to expand to voice and data in later stages.
Kyivstar has made a major investment in Ukraine’s 4G network, expanding coverage in remote areas and increasing the power of its network. Today’s announcement enables us to take our commitment to Ukraine connectivity to the next level, significantly enhancing the robustness of our satellite connectivity services. We are excited to work with Starlink to make Ukraine one of the world’s leading countries for direct-to-cell services, and we look forward to exploring opportunities across our markets which are home to 520 million people, said Kaan Terzioglu, CEO of VEON Group.
Kyivstar has been the backbone of Ukraine’s stability throughout the war, and we are determined to stop at nothing to keep Ukraine connected. Our partnership with Starlink is a game-changer in our journey to achieve our goal of ˜LTE everywhere’. We are humbled to be an operator that serves its customer with exceptional services, and a company that brings the valuable capabilities of the world’s technology giants to the people of Ukraine through our international partnerships, said Oleksandr Komarov, CEO of Kyivstar.
With its dedication to expanding 4G coverage in remote areas of Ukraine and maintaining the stability of connectivity and digital services during power outages, Kyivstar has invested heavily in its 4G network, spectrum and redundancy of power from the start of the war. With access to Starlink technology directly to the cell, Kyivstar customers will benefit from satellite-based connectivity even when the global network cannot serve the area.
VEON, Kyivstar’s parent company, has invested more than USD 10 billion in Ukraine since 2013 and committed USD 1 billion to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the country from 2023 to 2027. 2023 by Forbes Ukraine and NV Ukraine .
VEON’s pioneering spirit has always put us at the forefront of serving the underserved in frontier markets. Working with Starlink, we will now use space technology to bridge connectivity gaps to expand our reach beyond the current 160 million people we serve. This deal marks a year of change for VEON, from moving our headquarters to Dubai to centering our entire business on Nasdaq New York and finally strengthening our commitment to innovation and growth in the areas that need it most. said Augie K Fabela II, Chairman and Founder of VEON.
About Kyivstar
Kyivstar is the largest telecommunications operator in Ukraine with over 23 million subscribers and over 1 million home network subscribers. As a leading manufacturer in the Ukrainian market, the company has maintained internet availability above 90% on average since January 2022, supporting the connectivity of not only its customers but also the citizens of many Ukrainians. Kyivstar is 100% owned by VEON Group.
About VEON
VEON is a Nasdaq-listed digital operator headquartered in Dubai that provides connectivity and digital services to approximately 160 million customers. It operates across six countries that are home to more than 7% of the world’s population, VEON transforms lives with technology-driven services that empower individuals and drive economic growth. For more information visit: www.veon.com
About Starlink Direct to Cell
As the world’s leading provider of launch services, SpaceX uses its deep expertise in spacecraft and orbit systems to deliver and operate the world’s most advanced spacecraft. of satellites to provide global connectivity, including direct access to many mobile devices. Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capability have an advanced eNodeB modem on board that acts as a cell tower in space, allowing for a network connection similar to that of a conventional satellite. roaming around. Direct to Cell enables connectivity in remote locations, providing peace of mind when customers need it most. Direct to Cell works with LTE networks as far as the sky can see. No changes to hardware, firmware, or special tools are required, providing unlimited access to text, voice, and data. Learn more at https://www.starlink.com/business/direct-to-cell Follow Starlink on X https://x.com/Starlink
Freedom
This release contains forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in Section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended . Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and include statements related to, among other things, VEON’s technology strategy, business plans and transactions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which VEON cannot predict accurately and some of which VEON may not anticipate. Forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date of this release. VEON does not undertake to publicly update, except as required by US federal securities laws, any forward-looking statement to reflect events or conditions after such dates or to indicate the occurrence when unexpected events occur.
Contact information
VEON
Hands Asik
Group Director of Communications and Strategy
pr@veon.com
