Elon Musk's Starlink is expanding its satellite internet ambitions with a new partnership that brings direct-to-cell technology to Ukraine. Kyivstar Group Ltd. (KYIV), the country's largest telecom provider, announced Monday that it will begin offering the service to all its customers starting November 24.

A Year of Testing Pays Off

The technology isn't exactly brand new—Kyivstar has been testing it for over a year before this week's public launch. Initially, users will be able to send and receive SMS messages directly through satellite connectivity, even in areas without traditional cell coverage. Voice and video messaging capabilities are on the roadmap for future rollout.

"In Ukraine, staying connected means staying safe," said Oleksandr Komarov, CEO of Kyivstar.

The deal with SpaceX represents a couple of firsts worth noting. According to the company's announcement, this is the first time Starlink's direct-to-cell technology will be available across two markets simultaneously. It also makes Kyivstar the first European telecommunications company to offer direct-to-device satellite connectivity to its customer base.

Starlink's Growing Footprint

The Ukraine partnership comes as Starlink continues to expand its offerings and infrastructure. The company recently rolled out a more wallet-friendly option for U.S. customers—a "Residential 100 MBPS" plan priced at $40 per month. The plan caps download speeds at 100 Mbps but includes unlimited upload speeds and free installation, potentially opening up satellite internet to a broader customer base.

Meanwhile, EchoStar Corp (SATS) inked its own deal with SpaceX to acquire $2.6 billion worth of additional spectrum. As part of that agreement, EchoStar's satellite internet service HughesNet will refer customers to SpaceX as it navigates cash flow constraints—essentially acknowledging that if you can't beat them, send them business instead.

Space-Based Data Centers on the Horizon?

Never one to think small, Musk recently floated an ambitious concept at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum: data centers in orbit. He suggested that SpaceX could deploy solar-powered AI satellites to handle computing workloads from space.

According to Musk, the company's Starship rocket "should be able to deliver around 300 GW per year of solar-powered AI satellites to orbit." Of course, there's a catch—Musk acknowledged that chip production capacity could pose a significant challenge to making that vision a reality. But then again, when has limited chip supply ever stopped anyone from dreaming big about space-based infrastructure?