Proximus Global Taps Starlink to Expand Direct-to-Cell Coverage Across Europe
Proximus Global’s BICS division has signed a strategic partnership with Starlink, becoming the preferred IPX provider in Europe for Starlink’s direct-to-cell services. The agreement allows Starlink to use Proximus Global’s IPX roaming exchange to connect European mobile operators today and lays the groundwork for future smartphone broadband services delivered via Starlink’s next-generation constellation.
By routing traffic through the IPX network, standard 4G/5G smartphones will be able to connect directly to Starlink satellites in areas without terrestrial coverage. The partnership is also designed to support future non-terrestrial network (NTN) performance, security, and spectrum harmonization.
The first European operator to benefit from the move is Kyivstar in Ukraine, an early demonstration of how satellite-to-mobile services can sustain connectivity during emergencies or where infrastructure has been damaged.
Starlink VP of Engineering Mike Nicolls said the collaboration is key to “ending mobile dead zones” across Europe, while Proximus Global’s CRO Ben Vandermeulen framed the IPX platform as a bridge that benefits both satellite providers and terrestrial operators.