Ukraine develops UASAT to replace Starlink on the battlefield.
UASAT collaborates with HughesNet to provide leased internet; speeds of 100/5 Mbps, equipment costing $2,500, packages ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 UAH; susceptible to interference, limited use on the front line.
Ukraine is developing a domestic satellite internet solution, UASAT, to replace Starlink and TOOWAY services. According to radio technology expert Serhii Beskrestnov (also known as Serhii Flash), UASAT has signed an agreement with satellite provider HughesNet to offer services on a "leaseback" model, allowing for immediate deployment even without Ukraine's own geostationary telecommunications satellite. The system achieves a maximum download speed of 100 Mbps and an upload speed of approximately 5 Mbps; the terminal equipment costs $2,500, and packages range from 2,500 UAH (approximately $60) to 20,000 UAH (approximately $470), significantly higher than Starlink.
Overview and context
Serhii Beskrestnov stated that Ukraine currently does not possess geostationary telecommunications satellites capable of providing high-speed internet. With the agreement with HughesNet, UASAT can immediately offer the service on a lease basis. In the future, "if the number of customers is large enough, UASAT can lease entire transponders," expanding its capacity options.
According to him, the satellite is providing “coverage to Ukraine with nine beams” and “is positioned for easy adjustment,” with an “azimuth angle of approximately 240–270 degrees.” This information indicates that the satellite platform has a suitable coverage configuration for the target market.
Technical analysis
Infrastructure and coverage
UASAT uses partner geostationary satellites, providing coverage with nine beams. This configuration allows for optimized capacity by region, while the satellite's position, with an azimuth angle of 240–270 degrees, facilitates antenna targeting in Ukraine, according to expert Serhii Beskrestnov.
Terminal
UASAT engineers combined imported components with a domestically produced mechanical satellite tracking system and electrical system. Measured speeds reached a maximum of 100 Mbps for downloads and approximately 5 Mbps for uploads. This is sufficient for common data transmission tasks, but the geostationary nature of the satellite results in significant latency, impacting real-time applications.
Costs and packages
The terminal assembled in Ukraine costs $2,500. The service fee starts at 2,500 UAH (approximately $60) for several tens of GB of data; unlimited packages go up to 20,000 UAH (approximately $470). According to sources, this price is "significantly higher than Starlink."
Risks and limitations in a conflict environment
Experts note that geostationary satellites can be jammed by Russian electronic warfare, posing a risk in conflict environments. Additionally, the terminal antennas are easily detectable, and significant signal latency is a major limitation. In terms of cost, he assesses the current price as more suitable for businesses or government agencies; “use on the front lines remains very limited.”
Targeted comparison with Starlink
Previous reports mentioned that Starlink faced difficulties on the front lines due to insufficient bandwidth for ground-based robotic systems; the terminals mounted on these vehicles only achieved around 10 Mbps, causing a degradation in image transmission and control quality.
| Criteria | UASAT | Starlink (first line/UGV) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform provider | Rented from HughesNet; transponders may be rented out when there are enough customers. | — |
| Coverage area | Nine beams of light hit Ukraine. | — |
| Speed | 100 Mbps down / ~5 Mbps up | Approximately 10 Mbps (device mounted on the ground robot) |
| Equipment costs | 2,500 USD | — |
| Package | 2,500–20,000 UAH; significantly higher than Starlink. | — |
| The possibility of interference. | Geostationary satellites can be subject to interference. | — |
| Signal delay | Large (characteristic of geostationary orbit) | — |
| Frontline capability | Limitations (cost, detection, delay) | Experiencing difficulties due to insufficient bandwidth. |
Deployment and technical support capabilities
A notable advantage of UASAT is its rapid and convenient technical support right in Ukraine, coupled with the ability to assemble terminal equipment domestically. This shortens deployment time and ensures maintenance under complex combat conditions.
Prospects
Serhii Beskrestnov stated, "Ukraine will certainly benefit from having another satellite internet provider to replace Starlink." However, at the current stage, the cost configuration and technical characteristics make UASAT more suitable for businesses, government agencies, or logistics needs, while frontline applications are limited. If the number of users increases, leasing all or part of the satellites could expand capacity and reduce dependence, enhancing network autonomy.
