VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON) has announced that Beeline Kazakhstan, the firm’s digital operator in Kazakhstan, is partnering with Starlink Direct to Cell to make essential connectivity accessible across Kazakhstan, including in remote areas that have not been covered by terrestrial networks. Beeline Kazakhstan plans to first launch messaging in 2026 and then introduce data connectivity as the next phase.
VEON has signed a non-exclusive agreement with Starlink that establishes the conditions for future collaboration on bringing Direct to Cell satellite connectivity to all of VEON’s operating markets. With this agreement, VEON became the first global telecom operator to enter into such a multi-country framework arrangement with Starlink.
Evgeniy Nastradin, CEO of Beeline Kazakhstan, said, “From the mountains to the steppe, our aim is to provide reliable communication, and integrating Starlink Direct to Cell satellite with terrestrial connectivity brings that vision closer. This integration is a great opportunity to address the coverage gap in the most remote regions of our country in an efficient way.”
The unique conditions of the markets where we operate requires innovative solutions that empower communities to stay connected. I’m delighted to see that we are on track to deliver this through our collaboration with Starlink Direct to Cell in a second VEON market – Kazakhstan – following Ukraine,” said Kaan Terzioglu, VEON Group CEO. “We will explore the potential to offer integrated terrestrial and satellite connectivity to VEON’s more than 150 million subscribers across all five of the markets where we operate.”