Beeline Kazakhstan opens Starlink Mobile commercial service

Beeline Kazakhstan has opened Starlink Mobile as a commercial service for its customers. A compatible Android phone on an active Beeline SIM can connect directly to Starlink satellites for messages and basic internet where terrestrial coverage is unavailable, with no dish, bespoke satellite phone, or external antenna required.

The Kazakhstan Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development said on 28 September 2026 that the project, operated with Beeline and Starlink, has left testing and entered customer service. The partnership allows users to retain cellular connectivity across the country using an existing Beeline SIM.

Kazakhstan has become the first country in Central Asia where Direct to Cell has undergone practical testing and is now moving to the consumer service stage.

That “first in Central Asia” designation comes from Zhaslan Madiyev, deputy prime minister and minister of artificial intelligence and digital development, in comments to Kazakhstan Today.

Via Satellite described Kazakhstan as one of the first countries in the region to reach user service. Jabbor Kayumov, Beeline’s chief executive, said in a statement carried by Via Satellite that Beeline is the first company in Kazakhstan to launch this type of service.

Who Can Turn It On

Beeline’s Starlink page begins the launch with support for Android smartphones with 4G support. Other operating systems, including iPhone’s, are not currently supported, and Beeline says it will announce when they become available.

The ministry and carrier describe essentially the same activation process. Update Beeline’s Janymda app, activate Starlink, and allow location access. Beeline says the phone will not join the satellite network without location permission. Data roaming must also be enabled on an active Beeline SIM.

Outside terrestrial coverage, the handset should connect automatically. If it does not, users can select the network through the SIM settings. It can appear as Beeline Starlink or 401 04, sometimes with an R mark. The page also says users can manually select the network to try the service without leaving the city.

After the phone connects, Beeline says an SMS arrives with a link to complete activation. If the text does not arrive, users can open Janymda and go to the Starlink Mobile section. Beeline recommends an open view of the sky, with no large buildings or objects within about 50 meters, and says the connection can take several minutes.

What the Link Carries

The ministry says Starlink Direct to Cell offers SMS support and basic internet access where terrestrial coverage is completely unavailable. Beeline lists messengers, maps, websites, and apps, with data speeds of up to 2 Mbit/s.

Two megabits per second is enough to move a chat or map pin, but the service is not intended to replace a normal cellular connection.

The current offer is called “Starlink: Безлимитный интернет + 10 SMS,” or unlimited internet plus 10 SMS. Beeline says customers can use it without an additional charge alongside the family tariff. The ministry said the service will be free for Beeline customers during the promotional period.

Where the Ground Network Takes Over

The satellite connection is designed for coverage gaps in remote areas, on highways outside cities, in the mountains, and across the steppe. When the phone returns to terrestrial coverage, Beeline says it automatically switches back to the ground network.

A gap in cellular coverage does not guarantee a satellite connection. Buildings, trees, terrain, or other obstructions can prevent the phone from seeing the sky well enough to connect.

Free For Now

While the promotion lasts, a compatible Android phone on Beeline can use the service without an additional charge. The bigger question is what happens after that period ends, including how much Beeline will charge and where the satellite connection will actually be available.

Until those details are published, Starlink Mobile is primarily a way to fill cellular coverage gaps rather than a replacement for the ground network.