Starlink technology for mobile communication has been successfully tested in Kazakhstan.

Field tests of the Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite communication technology, which allows ordinary mobile phones to connect directly to satellites without additional equipment, have been successfully conducted in Kazakhstan.

The tests were held with the participation of Zhasslan Madiev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Development, Evgeny Nastardin, President of Beeline Kazakhstan, and technical specialists from SpaceX. During the testing, text messages were successfully transmitted and a voice call was made using a standard mobile phone via the Starlink satellite network, integrated with the terrestrial network of the Beeline operator.

The Direct-to-Cell technology is designed to provide basic mobile communication in regions lacking traditional telecommunications infrastructure. It can be used in remote and hard-to-reach areas, including rural areas, mountainous and steppe zones, as well as in emergency situations.

The implementation of the technology is planned in stages. In the first stage, users will be able to send SMS messages. In the future, the service functionality will be expanded to include voice communication and other types of mobile services. The full launch of the Starlink Direct-to-Cell technology in Kazakhstan is scheduled for February 2026.

Kazakhstan has become the first country in Central Asia to conduct practical tests of the Starlink Direct-to-Cell technology. The agency emphasized that the implementation of the project will improve the level of digital accessibility and strengthen the country's telecommunications infrastructure.

Source: Gov.kz