In a significant step toward expanding global mobile coverage, SpaceX’s satellite internet division Starlink has signed its largest-ever direct-to-cell connectivity agreement with Veon, the parent company of Jazz, according to a report by Reuters.
Under the partnership, Veon will integrate Starlink’s satellite-powered mobile network into its existing telecom operations, starting with Beeline in Kazakhstan and Kyivstar in Ukraine. The company’s presence in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan also positions it for further regional expansion in the near future.
The agreement is nonexclusive, giving Veon the flexibility to engage with other satellite providers as well. The telecom giant is reportedly in talks with Amazon’s Project Kuiper, AST SpaceMobile, and Eutelsat OneWeb to explore additional partnerships aimed at improving connectivity across developing markets.
Starlink, which currently serves over seven million users worldwide, has active collaborations with telecom operators in 11 countries. SpaceX operates a fleet of more than 8,000 satellites, out of which around 650 are dedicated to direct-to-cell services a technology designed to deliver mobile connectivity directly to standard smartphones without the need for traditional cell towers.
Industry experts say the partnership underscores a growing trend in the telecom sector, where satellite-based communication is increasingly seen as the next frontier for achieving universal internet access. For regions with challenging terrain or limited infrastructure like parts of Central and South Asia the collaboration could prove transformative.
While both companies have yet to disclose financial details, the deal marks a major milestone for Starlink as it continues to extend its footprint beyond broadband services and deeper into mobile connectivity potentially reshaping how millions of people access the internet across the globe.
