The Ministry of Digital Transformation announced that Kyivstar has received permission to launch nationwide testing of Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity. This is an important technology that will allow basic communication in places with no mobile coverage at all.

The first stage will only support sending SMS without mobile signal. Later — voice and mobile data. Mass launch is expected at the end of 2025.

But it’s critical to understand immediately: this technology will not replace 4G internet.

Where Starlink Direct-to-Cell will NOT work in Ukraine

  • border regions

  • temporarily occupied territories

  • active combat zones

Exactly where stable emergency internet is needed the most — D2C will not be available.

Real throughput expectations

This is a very low-bandwidth channel.

In the best scenario — around 1 Mbit/s or lower.

Good enough to send a text or coordinates.
Not suitable for normal internet, video, messengers, cameras, work tasks etc.

During blackouts — situation becomes even more critical

During large blackouts, internet in Ukraine depends on whether mobile operator base stations remain powered. In cities, a portion of sites run on UPS/generators. And when signal becomes weak — the only realistic way to boost it is antenna + 4G router.

Even if D2C is active in rear safe regions — it will not give usable internet speeds. It is not designed for that.

Why 4G kits are required both in cities and rural areas

External antennas provide real signal gain.
Placing antennas outside window gives +17…25 dB improvement on average.
This means going from 1–5 Mbit/s to 10–30+ Mbit/s during blackouts (if at least one base station nearby is alive).

Recommended kit for cities (blackouts)

4G MobileGuard Kit with Olax MT80 + dual 10 dB MIMO magnetic antennas

Two antennas placed outside window, MIMO config, router powered by powerbank.
Ideal for apartments/offices in blackout conditions.

Recommended kit for rural / border rear / military rear

HomeWiFi MIMO internet kit with reinforced battery and directional MIMO panel antenna

Directional high-gain antenna reaches base stations at long distances where phones/portable routers cannot see any signal.

Final conclusion

Starlink Direct-to-Cell is a very positive development for Ukraine.
It gives additional emergency fallback connectivity.

But:

  • it will not work everywhere

  • it will not provide high speed

  • it will not replace 4G

For real usable internet — for civilians, military, rural areas, remote monitoring, drones, cameras, work — and especially during blackouts — 4G kit with external antenna + router remains mandatory.