Dec 30 (Reuters) - Ukraine's leading mobile operator

Kyivstar has signed an agreement with Starlink to introduce

direct-to-cell satellite connectivity in the country, Kyivstar's

parent company VEON said on Monday.

Direct-to-cell services are connected to satellites that can

beam phone signals from space directly to smartphones.

Ukraine will be one of the first countries in the world

where Starlink will roll out the technology.

Kyivstar expects direct-to-cell services with messaging

functionality to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2025,

the telecoms firm said in a joint statement.

Space X-owned Starlink, which also provides critical

internet connectivity to war-torn Ukraine and its military,

launched its first set of satellites with direct-to-cell

capabilities earlier this year.