VEON's Beeline Kazakhstan Launches Direct-to-Cell Service With SpaceX's Starlink

VEON Ltd. announced that its subsidiary, Beeline Kazakhstan, has launched SpaceX Starlink's direct-to-device satellite-to-mobile connectivity service, making it the first operator in Kazakhstan to offer the capability. The service enables standard LTE smartphones to access connectivity directly in remote areas and cellular dead zones without specialized hardware. Beeline Kazakhstan, which serves 11.8 million mobile subscribers, is providing the service free during an initial rollout period. Following the announcement, VEON shares climbed approximately 4% in early morning trading. The launch follows a memorandum of cooperation signed in November 2025 and trials in December.