Starlink inks largest direct-to-cell deal with Veon, opening access to 150M potential users

SpaceX's Starlink signed its largest direct-to-cell commercial agreement with telecom group Veon, giving Starlink access to more than 150 million potential customers across Veon's markets. The deal accelerates Starlink's push into satellite-to-smartphone connectivity amid mounting competition from carrier-backed rivals.

Discovered 2025-11-06T12:34:11.353155-08:00 | 2025-11-06T12:34:11.353155-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

The agreement immediately expands Starlink's commercial addressable market to over 150 million potential users, representing a material step in scaling direct-to-cell revenue opportunities.
The deal follows SpaceX's consolidation of mobile spectrum rights in its $17 billion EchoStar S-band purchase, which underpins Starlink's ability to pursue carrier partnerships and blunt competitors: https://hype.aero/?story=309b5eef-d125-4d23-aaa6-05fd5fd2d76e
Carrier partnerships and rival commercial tie-ups are accelerating — examples include Verizon's commercial agreement with AST SpaceMobile and Virgin Media O2's planned 'O2 Satellite' using Starlink — highlighting a fast-moving market for direct-to-device services: https://hype.aero/?story=5aa66b56-fde6-4ac6-a8ce-73f629071774 https://hype.aero/?story=5f46a643-3035-4bc5-8938-c6cbcd999134

Reported By

smallsatnews.com satnews easterneye.biz Reuters