VEON's Beeline Kazakhstan partners with Starlink for satellite connectivity

VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON) announced that its subsidiary Beeline Kazakhstan will partner with Starlink Direct to Cell to provide satellite connectivity across Kazakhstan, including remote areas without terrestrial network coverage.

The partnership received support from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development through a memorandum of understanding signed during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's official visit to the United States. Beeline Kazakhstan plans to launch messaging services in 2026, followed by data connectivity in a subsequent phase.

"Beeline Kazakhstan's partnership with Starlink is a prime example of how global technology can strengthen national infrastructure," said Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan.

The initiative builds on Beeline Kazakhstan's existing efforts to extend mobile internet access to remote communities in Kazakhstan, the world's ninth-largest country by land area. The company previously expanded terrestrial network coverage to villages with approximately 100 residents and deployed solar panels for off-grid base stations.

VEON holds a global framework agreement with Starlink that covers potential Direct to Cell satellite connectivity across all of VEON's operating markets. The company states it became the first global telecom operator to enter such a multi-country arrangement with Starlink.

The Kazakhstan partnership follows earlier progress in Ukraine, where Kyivstar Group Ltd (NASDAQ: KYIV) demonstrated messaging capabilities with Starlink Direct to Cell earlier this year. VEON serves nearly 160 million customers across five countries and operates in markets representing more than 6% of the world's population.

Beeline Kazakhstan serves 11.7 million mobile customers and approximately one million fixed internet customers. The launch of Starlink Direct to Cell services in Kazakhstan remains subject to regulatory approvals.

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