“Open testing of SpaceX’s Starlink Direct to Cell technology has begun in Ukraine. Thanks to this new function, “Kyivstar” subscribers can send and receive SMS even in places where there is no mobile connection. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine. Instructions on how to enable Starlink Direct to Cell on a smartphone. Starlink Direct to Cell: Why this technology is important Starlink Direct to Cell”, — write on: ua.news
Open testing of SpaceX’s Starlink Direct to Cell technology has begun in Ukraine. Thanks to this new function, “Kyivstar” subscribers can send and receive SMS even in places where there is no mobile connection.
This is reported by RBC-Ukraine.
Instructions on how to enable Starlink Direct to Cell on a smartphone.
Starlink Direct to Cell: Why this technology matters
Starlink Direct to Cell can become a critical communication tool during blackouts and in hard-to-reach or front-line areas.
Thanks to the new technology, users will be able to stay connected even during long power outages, in remote villages, mountains and places where ground infrastructure is damaged or still being restored. This is especially important for rescuers, humanitarian missions and citizens living in frontline regions.
Technology too opens up additional opportunities for business – from the agricultural sector to financial companies – allowing to maintain work in conditions of lack of stable coverage.
Note that Ukraine became the first country in Europe to use this system.
The importance of SMS in wartime conditions
Industry representatives emphasize the importance of satellite communication in wartime conditions.
“In critical moments, every message is important – it can cost lives. We start from the basic level – the exchange of SMS. Millions of Ukrainians will be able to stay in touch even in the most difficult conditions”, – said the CEO of Kyivstar Oleksandr Komarov at the briefing.
Currently, only SMS exchange is available due to the limited bandwidth of the satellite channel.
However, it is planned to introduce voice calls and mobile Internet in the future.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov emphasized that Ukraine is among the world leaders in implementing Direct to Cell.
“Despite infrastructure attacks and constant blackouts, we continue to innovate. Reliable communication under any circumstances is one of the key priorities,” he said.
How Starlink Direct to Cell technology works
Testing is available to owners of smartphones with 4G (LTE) support on Android.
For iOS devices, the service will become available after the next update – iPhone 13 and newer will receive it.
To catch a satellite signal, you need to be in the open sky in an area where there is no mobile coverage. There is no additional charge.
The coverage is valid throughout the territory of Ukraine, except temporarily occupied areas, border zones and places of active hostilities.
How to use Starlink Direct to Cell
Technical requirements
Access to the technology is possible if the following conditions are met:
- you are using a SIM card with 4G support
- your smartphone or modem supports 4G (LTE) and works in the operator’s network
- your device works on Android (support for iOS will appear later – on iPhone 13 and newer after the next software update).
What to do if you find yourself in an area without mobile coverage
Get out into the open space
For a stable satellite signal, it is important to be in the open sky – without tall buildings, dense forests or other obstacles blocking direct visibility.
Technology is especially useful:
- in the country or in the countryside
- in transit
- during fishing or outdoor recreation
- in mountains and tourist routes
- in remote regions
- in case of long blackouts and damage to ground infrastructure.
Check your smartphone settings
Smartphone will automatically connect to the “Kyivstar-SpaceX” satellite networkif automatic network selection is enabled.
What should be done next?
- Open the device settings
- Go to “Connections” and “Mobile networks”
- Select your SIM card
- Open the “Network Operators” menu
- Enable automatic network selection.
“Kyivstar-SpaceX” will appear in the status bar after connecting.
It is important to note that when connected to the satellite network, mobile Internet and voice calls do not work – only SMS exchange is available.
Send an SMS and make sure it’s delivered
Only text messages are supported during testing. SMS may take longer than usual to send.
If the message was not sent:
- check that the smartphone is connected to the “Kyivstar-SpaceX” network (255707 4G)
- make sure the device has not switched back to the normal 4G network
- resend the message.
According to tests in New Zealand, SMS delivery can take between 3 and 10 minutes. Ukraine conducts its own testing to evaluate the operation of the technology in local conditions.
After returning to the coverage area, the phone will automatically connect back to the terrestrial network.
Functions of voice calls and mobile Internet will be added later – at the next stages of implementation.
An important element of national security
“Direct to Cell provides access to communication and emergency services even outside the coverage of mobile networks. In war conditions, this is critically important for the protection of citizens,” said Liliya Malyon, Head of NKEK.
In the world, Direct to Cell has already shown high efficiency in the conditions of natural disasters – hurricanes, floods, fires.
In Ukraine, the new technology will become an additional level of protection and communication, and its functionality will be expanded in the future.
We would like to remind you that a number of websites and Internet services are experiencing outages around the world.
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