While Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 seemed to be all about AI, AI, and even more AI, to me the most important announcement of the week was about satellite connectivity. At MWC, Kyivstar announced that 5 million customers have now connected to its network via Starlink Mobile satellites. This places Kyivstar among the leading global providers of Starlink Mobile satellite connectivity. The number of users is remarkable when you consider that Starlink Mobile direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity was only launched by Kyivstar in November 2025.
D2D satellite connectivity allows smartphones to connect directly to satellites, enabling Kyivstar to offer hybrid connectivity that combines terrestrial cellular infrastructure with satellite coverage from Starlink. This approach can eliminate coverage gaps and ensure that Kyivstar customers have access to critical connectivity and digital services.
At Qvantel, we are proud to be part of the mobile satellite connectivity service for Kyivstar customers in Ukraine. As the Digital BSS and managed services provider to Kyivstar, our system manages connectivity partners, and we also provide zero-rating for calls on the Starlink satellite network for existing Kyivstar 4G bill-pay customers. For Kyivstar customers, the switchover from terrestrial network coverage to satellite coverage is seamless, as their 4G phones automatically detect Starlink coverage without any modifications to device settings, enabling resilient connectivity.
“Kyivstar is shaping the global practice of integrating Starlink Mobile with its terrestrial network, and the Ukrainian use cases are directly influencing the development of direct-to-device technology.”
Ilya Polshakov, Director of New Business Development, Kyivstar
Satellite connectivity was one of the hot topics at MWC 2026, and as you can see from the quote above, Kyivstar is leading this next evolution of the industry.
While the Kyivstar news was, in my opinion, the main satellite announcement of the week, there were many other advances announced and demonstrated that highlighted the growing importance of satellite connectivity. We are seeing many new partnerships between satellite networks and mobile operators, providing satellite connectivity as an extension of traditional mobile networks and enabling coverage in areas where terrestrial connectivity is limited or unavailable.
At MWC, several satellite-enabled devices and use cases were presented, including tracking devices, IoT applications, and automotive connectivity solutions that combine cellular and satellite connectivity through a single subscription.
While many companies are talking about the potential use cases for satellite connectivity, Kyivstar is already expanding its use for businesses and public services. Tests are already being conducted in several sectors, including financial services, where Kyivstar and Mastercard validated the operation of 4G-enabled POS terminals via satellite.
This ensures access to payments for millions of Ukrainians and businesses, even in the most challenging conditions.
AI may have been the main talking point at MWC, but in my view, satellite connectivity was the most important development of the week, as it enables access to critical communications and digital services for millions of people.
Flaviano Gonzalez
VP Europe, Qvantel
