Beeline Kazakhstan Partners with Starlink for Nationwide Satellite Connectivity
Beeline Kazakhstan, part of VEON Group, has signed an agreement with Starlink Direct to Cell to extend mobile connectivity across Kazakhstan, including remote and sparsely populated regions where terrestrial networks are limited. The initiative, backed by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, marks the country’s first large-scale integration of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity.
Following the commercial agreement finalized in September, Beeline plans to launch satellite messaging services in 2026, followed by data connectivity in a later phase. The rollout will use Starlink’s Direct to Cell LEO constellation, allowing smartphones to connect directly to satellites without specialized hardware — addressing coverage gaps across one of the world’s largest land areas.
The announcement was formalized during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to the United States, where Beeline, the Ministry, and Starlink outlined the collaboration’s role in expanding universal mobile access and public safety resilience.
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of AI and Digital Development, Zhaslan Madiyev, said the project “integrates satellite and terrestrial networks to enable connectivity in areas where traditional infrastructure is not feasible,” adding that the technology “has the potential to save lives.”
The partnership is part of VEON’s broader global framework agreement with Starlink, making VEON the first multinational telecom operator to establish a multi-country arrangement for Direct to Cell integration. The move follows successful Starlink messaging demonstrations with VEON’s Kyivstar in Ukraine earlier in 2025.