Satellite Payments: Kyivstar and Mastercard Successfully Test Payment Terminals Using Starlink Direct to Cell Technology

Global technology company Mastercard in partnership with Ukraine's leading digital operator Kyivstar has successfully tested 4G-enabled POS terminals using Starlink Direct to Cell satellite technology. Testing has confirmed that the technology can be deployed across a wide network of POS terminals, opening up new opportunities in the financial services market. The new solution ensures the resilience and availability of payment infrastructure even in areas where terrestrial networks are unavailable or damaged, including remote locations and during emergencies.

"Today, cashless transactions are not only about convenience and security, but also about the vital need to make payments anywhere and anytime. As the cashless trend accelerates — with 9 out of 10 payment card transactions already being cashless[1] — we recognise the importance of expanding the payment acceptance network and ensuring the resilience of this infrastructure.

The results of the Starlink Direct to Cell POS terminal testing, conducted by Kyivstar in partnership with Mastercard, confirm the enormous potential of this technology both for financial market and for consumers as it enables transactions even where standard communication channels may be unavailable. We are proud to be Kyivstar's partner in this important project supporting payment infrastructure resilience, and we are committed to applying our efforts and expertise to expand its reach," emphasizes Inga Andreieva, Country Manager of Mastercard Ukraine & Moldova.

"Ukrainians and businesses can continue using financial services even where mobile networks are unavailable. We have confirmed that 4G terminals can operate via satellite, which strengthens the resilience of the financial services market. Testing has shown that the technology can be adopted by banks within their business infrastructure to make payment services even more accessible and reliable for customers across the country. This will provide additional access to payments in the most challenging conditions — when people need to pay for goods or receive a service," noted Illia Polshakov, Director of New Business Development at Kyivstar.

Starlink Direct to Cell from SpaceX is a satellite communications technology that operates through a network of over 650 satellites in low Earth orbit. Each satellite is equipped with hardware that functions as a 'cell tower in space,' providing connectivity directly to customer LTE devices — with no need for special equipment or software modifications.

The test took place as part of the strategic partnership between Mastercard and Kyivstar and a signed Memorandum of Cooperation. Through this collaboration, the companies are working on the development of innovative technological solutions across several areas: strengthening the resilience of financial infrastructure, expanding the accessibility of financial services, developing new products based on Big Data and analytics, including financial scoring solutions, as well as promoting cashless payments among small and medium-sized businesses.

Collaboration with Kyivstar aligns with Mastercard's current strategy aimed at supporting Ukrainians and the Ukrainian economy. This strategy includes partnerships with banks and other financial market participants to ensure the resilience of their infrastructure, development of digital services and implementation of the Digital First program for mobile banking with optional physical card issuance. It also involves cooperation with merchantsolution andal institutions to expand the payment acceptance network and broaden digital services, such as a ‘Purchase with cash withdrawal’ solution, and supporting small and medium-sized businesses through innovative digital services.

Last year, Mastercard also launched a digital country partnership with the Government of Ukraine — a comprehensive framework initiative aimed at accelerating the implementation of the country's digital strategy. It encompasses several key tracks: advancing financial inclusion, developing digital solutions to simplify government disbursements, fostering digital maturity of businesses, modernizing public transport payment systems, and supporting the GovTech and fintech ecosystems.

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About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential. www.mastercard.com

About Kyivstar Group Ltd

Kyivstar Group Ltd (Nasdaq: KYIV; KYIVW) ("Kyivstar Group") is a Nasdaq-listed holding company that manages the Kyivstar group of companies in Ukraine. Through its subsidiaries, Kyivstar Group is the country’s leading digital operator and the first Ukrainian company to have its shares traded on a U.S. stock exchange. The group’s companies provide a broad range of connectivity and digital services, including mobile and fixed-line voice and data, ride-hailing, e-health, digital TV, and enterprise solutions such as big data, cloud, and cybersecurity. Together with VEON, Kyivstar Group has committed to investing USD 1 billion in Ukraine during 2023–2027, focusing on infrastructure and technology development, charitable support, and strategic acquisitions. For more information, please visit https://investors.kyivstar.ua.

About Kyivstar

JSC Kyivstar (“Kyivstar”) is Ukraine’s leading digital operator, serving around 22.4 million mobile subscribers and over 1.1 million fixed-line Home internet customers as of June 30, 2025. The company provides services using a wide range of mobile and fixed technologies, including 4G, Big Data, cloud solutions, cybersecurity services, digital TV, and more. Kyivstar is advancing new telecommunication technologies in Ukraine and together with VEON plans to invest USD 1 billion in this direction during 2023–2027.Kyivstar is wholly owned by Kyivstar Group Ltd (Nasdaq: KYIV; KYIVW), the first Ukrainian company to have its shares traded on the U.S. stock exchange Nasdaq. The company contributes to overcoming the challenges of wartime and, over the past three years, has allocated more than UAH 3.4 billion to support the Defence Forces, its subscribers, and the implementation of social projects. Kyivstar has operated in Ukraine for 27 years and is recognised as the largest taxpayer in the digital communications market, a top employer, and a socially responsible company. Additional information: pr@kyivstar.net, www.kyivstar.ua.