“Kyivstar is preparing to open American and global markets for Ukraine
14 January 11:21
The global digital operator VEON and specialized asset acquisition company Cohen Circle announced the signing of a protocol of intent to conduct joint business with the aim of indirectly listing Kyivstar, VEON’s digital operator in Ukraine, on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange in the United States of America. This was reported by Kyivstar, according to
As noted, the completion of this transaction will make Kyivstar one of the first Ukrainian companies to be listed on the American stock exchange, allowing American and other international investors to directly participate in the development of Kyivstar and in the broader economic recovery of Ukraine.
“We are proud that with Kyivstar’s listing on the Nasdaq we are opening up the US and global markets to Ukraine. As the largest private investor in Ukraine, with this important step we are further strengthening our call to “Invest in Ukraine Now” by showcasing the country’s growth potential and offering U.S. investors direct access to its future economic opportunities,” said Augie C. Fabella II, Chairman and Founder of VEON.
As noted by Kyivstar President Oleksandr Komarov, “a new chapter begins today in the history of Kyivstar and Ukraine.
“This is not just about business – it is about faith in Ukraine and its future. Together with VEON, we have committed to invest one billion dollars in the country’s development and now we are opening the way for global investors,” said Mr. Komarov.
What is Kyivstar known for?
The company is a leading digital operator in Ukraine with the country’s largest mobile and fixed-line network and about 24 million subscribers. Kyivstar’s portfolio of digital services includes the digital healthcare platform Helsi with a registered user base of 28 million and the film and television platform Kyivstar TV.
“Kyivstar is also a leading provider of corporate services in Ukraine, supporting Ukrainian businesses with cloud, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence solutions, and is a growing player in the software development market in Ukraine through its Kyivstar Tech division.
In addition, Kyivstar, as a preferred partner for international technology companies, recently signed a landmark agreement with Starlink to introduce Direct to Cell satellite communications in Ukraine, which will help strengthen the resilience of the country’s communications infrastructure. Kyivstar is expected to launch Starlink Direct to Cell services with SMS and OTT messaging in the fourth quarter of 2025. The next stage will be voice and data services.
What else is known about Starlink Direct to Cell
Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellites have an advanced eNodeB modem on board that acts like a cell tower in space, providing network integration similar to a standard roaming partner. Thus, direct-to-cell provides connectivity even in the most remote regions.
Direct-to-cell works with existing LTE phones wherever the sky is visible. No changes to hardware, firmware, or special applications are required to use the service and ensure unimpeded access to text, voice, and data.
The new service should work anywhere in the world. But, according to experts, we should not expect that this Starlink technology will displace traditional cellular communication. According to Elon Musk, the issue is limited bandwidth. At least in the near future. It is worth recalling that Direct to Cell does not work indoors, meaning that the user must be “where you can see the sky”.
