Kyivstar CEO on NASDAQ Listing, Starlink Direct-to-Cell, and Ukraine's Economy

Kyivstar's Historic NASDAQ Listing

• 🚀 Kyivstar became the first Ukrainian company to trade on the NASDAQ, with CEO Oleksandr Komarov ringing the opening bell.
• 💡 This listing aims to attract international investors to support the company's growth and potential rebuilding efforts.

Operational Resilience Amidst War

• ✅ Kyivstar is 99.9% operational in Ukrainian-controlled territories, demonstrating significant resilience.
• 🎯 The company is evolving beyond a traditional telecom operator to become a digital service provider, offering services like ride-hailing and entertainment.

Geopolitical Hopes and Economic Outlook

• 🕊️ There is a shared hope for a peace agreement with strong security guarantees, which is seen as crucial for Ukraine's long-term economic recovery and development.
• ⚠️ While acknowledging the painful nature of territorial disputes, the CEO believes a small land swap would not significantly impact Kyivstar's business.

Starlink Direct-to-Cell Technology

• 🛰️ Kyivstar has partnered with Elon Musk's Starlink to introduce direct-to-cell technology by the end of 2024.
• 📱 This technology will enable LTE phones to communicate via satellite, ensuring emergency services and 100% territory coverage, especially in areas currently lacking reliable mobile service.
• 🌍 The direct-to-cell capability is considered critical for maintaining connectivity for Ukrainians, particularly in emergency situations.