Cellular communication (Ukrainian market)

Development of 5G networks in Ukraine

Main article: Development of 5G networks in Ukraine

2024: Lifecell and Datagrup-Volya merge into one company. EBRD will give it $435 million

In mid-June 2024, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Financial Corporation (IFC) announced their intention to provide $435 million to a new telecommunications operator in Ukraine, which is formed by the French fund NJJ Capital. The new structure will be formed by the merger of the cellular operator Lifecell and the fixed-line operator Datagrup-Volya. Read more here.

2022

A mobile operator from the DPR began work in the Kherson region

In August 2022, the Phoenix mobile operator from the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) began working in Kherson. Local residents can buy SIM cards. Read more here.

Almost like in the Russian Federation. Russian operators have reduced prices for calls to the LPR, DPR, Kherson region and Zaporozhye

In early June 2022, it became known that Russian operators had reduced prices for calls to the LPR, DPR, Kherson region and Zaporozhye. In some cases, the cost of communication approached the prices in the Russian Federation.

As told "" in To the businessman, Ministry of Digital Development"" VimpelCom reduced the tariffs for outgoing calls to the numbers of the LPR and DPR from 25 rubles to 3 rubles per minute. On the operator's website, this information is confirmed: a call to numbers with codes + 7949 (LPR and DPR), + 7959 (Kherson region) and + 7990 (Zaporozhye) is classified as international, but costs only 3 rubles per minute of conversation and SMS message.

Almost like in the Russian Federation. Russian operators have reduced prices for calls to the LPR, DPR, Kherson region and Zaporozhye

Tele2 told the publication that calls to the numbers + 7949, + 7959 and + 7990 are defined as long-distance. MTS defines calls to the numbers of DPR and LPR operators as long-distance, but calls to + 7 Telecom numbers will be charged as international. MegaFon's support service reported that numbers with code + 7 are charged as Russian, but a number with code + 7990 is "not displayed" in the operator's database.

At the end of May 2022, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko instructed the Ministry of Digital Development to develop uniform standards in the field of providing cellular communications to the territories of the DPR and LPR. He pointed out that the department, together with "colleagues from the border regions," should "analyze all problematic issues related to the coverage of the territory of the LPR and DPR with cellular communications," as well as exclude the use of non-state and unreliable communication services.

Tele2 was one of the first to include the LPR and the DPR in domestic billing, since it is fully controlled by the state-owned Rostelecom, "in this case the company has no option not to fulfill the instructions of the authorities or to execute in a different format," one of the experts on the ICT market said in a conversation with Kommersant.^[1]

Ukraine disconnected communication in the Kherson region. You can only call Russian SIM cards

At the end of May 2022, it became known about the disconnection of cellular communications in the Kherson region of Ukraine. Residents of the region can call and use the Internet using the SIM cards of the Russian operator.

Communication works, but now only Russian communication. The fact that yesterday, May 30, 2022, was turned off is Ukrainian communication through old Ukrainian SIM cards. Now everyone who managed to buy a SIM card for + 7 has a connection, - a representative of the military-civil administration of the Kherson region told TASS.

Ukraine disconnected communication in the Kherson region. You can only call Russian SIM cards

SIM cards with numbers starting with + 7 went on sale in the territories controlled by the Russian Federation in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions on May 26, 2022. Four days later, the deputy head of the military-civil administration (CAA) of the region, Kirill Stremousov, said that the Kherson region was disconnected from cellular communications and the Internet (more than 500 thousand people were left without communication) due to a large-scale accident of the main network and the destruction of the main communication nodes as a result of hostilities in the border regions of the region.

It will take considerable time to rebuild the broken infrastructure. An operational solution to the issue by the Ukrainian side is unlikely, besides, Kyiv is afraid of an increase in pro-Russian sentiments, - reported Stremousov.

According to him, by the end of May 2022, fiber optic is partially already on the territory of the Kherson region, but the Internet itself is still completely switched to the Russian Internet.

The head of the military-civil administration of the Zaporizhzhya region, Yevgeny Balitsky, told Crimea 24 that the Ukrainian regime disconnected the region from mobile communications, depriving people of the opportunity to communicate.

He's rejecting us himself. We're not going to break down. As for the connection, we will restore it. We turned to the Russian Federation for help. In the near future, communication will be restored, "- said in a message published on the Telegram channel at the end of May 2022^[2]

Ukrainian authorities blocked phone calls to Russia

On March 3, 2022, the Ukrainian authorities blocked phone calls to Russia. This was announced in the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (Gosspetsvyaz).

In Ukraine, conversations with Ukrainian SIM cards to Russia are limited. Subscribers of Ukrainian mobile operators will not be able to get through to subscribers of Russian operators, the Gosspetsvyaz said in a statement quoted by TASS.

Ukraine blocked phone calls to Russia

The department explained that such a measure was introduced so that Russian servicemen in Ukraine could not transmit information from Ukrainian phones to Russia and Belarus. The lock is imposed on mobile and landline phones. The ability to activate recently purchased SIM cards is also limited.^[3]

Gosspetsvyaz noted that mobile networks in Ukraine are operating in emergency mode by early March 2022. In combat areas, restrictions on the use of mobile communications and the Internet may be imposed.

The news agency recalled that three mobile operators of Ukraine - Vodafone Ukraine"," "" and Kyivstar lifecell - on February 26, 2022, closed access to their networks for subscribers of the Russian Federation and. Belarus

The general director Telecom Daily Denis Kuskov , in a conversation Kommersant with, said that it is SMS quite simple to prohibit receiving -mails and calls from Russian numbers: for this, you need to put an additional filter on the prohibition of landing traffic from numbers with the country code "+ 7." Taking into account the deep ties between citizens Russia and Ukraine, a lot of people may face problems, the expert said. The problem is also that subscribers of Russian operators will not be able to receive confirmation codes from banks in Ukraine when making purchases or access services that require two-factor authentications SMS messages, Kuskov said.

Communication problems after the start of the military special operation of Russia

On February 24, 2022, Ukraine has severe problems with mobile communications and the Internet after Russia launched a military operation in this country.

In particular, communication difficulties arose in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and part of the Kyiv region. Vodafone communication does not work on Sofia Square in Kyiv, and in Odessa they report failures with the Internet of this operator, the newspaper writes Dev.ua.

According to the president of Kyivstar, Alexander Komarov, communication problems arise as a result of network congestion.

So far, the connection is more or less. Severe network congestion, "he said.

The State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine said that mobile communications and the Internet in the country are not turned off.

Operators and providers will continue to provide services to citizens. The systems of operational and technical management of communication networks have been transferred to an emergency management mode... If you cannot get through, make an SMS exchange, - said in a message from Gosspetsvyaz.[4]

The main risks for mobile operators are a long lack of power supply and damage to network facilities, Victoria Ruban, PR director of Vodafone, explained to BBC News Ukraine. According to her, the company has backup equipment and backup data transmission channels in Ukraine and beyond. If there are disruptions to some, others can keep in touch properly, she said. In addition, the operator additionally organized armed protection of strategically important facilities, including with the involvement of the security police, Ruban added.

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation to protect Donbass. President Vladimir Putin noted that it was a response to requests for military assistance from the leaders of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR). Due to the special operation of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, martial law was introduced, panic is observed in cities.

The Ministry of Digital Development of Ukraine transferred part of the powers to determine state policy in the telecom industry

In February 2022, it became known about the transfer Ministry of Digital Transformation Ukraine of part of the authority to determine state policy in the telecommunications industry. We are talking about electronic communications and radio frequency resources. More. here

2021

Ukraine has created a new regulator for the Internet and mobile communications

In mid-December Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine 2021, it adopted a law on the creation National Commission, which carries out state regulation in the field of electronic communications, radio frequency spectrum and postal communications Ukraine of (National Communications Committee). The initiative was supported by 296 people's deputies with the necessary 226 votes. More. here

Ukraine withdrew from CIS cellular agreement

Ukraine withdrew from the CIS agreement  on cooperation in the field of cellular communications. The corresponding bill in March 2021 was considered and approved by the country's cabinet.

According to the representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Verkhovna Rada, People's Deputy Vasily Mokan, the agreement on cooperation in the development and use of cellular mobile communication systems defines agreements to ensure cooperation between the CIS member states in the development of cellular mobile communication systems, improving the interstate service market and the consistent implementation of the agreement on the coordination of interstate relations in the field of postal and electrical communications of October 9, 1992.^[5]

The agreement on cooperation in the development and use of cellular communication systems did not acquire practical implementation for Ukraine

During the period since the signing of the agreement, it has not received practical implementation for Ukraine, cooperation and any contacts with the CIS executive bodies on implementation issues for objective reasons does not occur, "Mokan explained.

He added that, based on national interests, Ukraine's cooperation with CIS member states in the field of telecommunications can be carried out on the basis of bilateral and multilateral international treaties, in particular, concluded within the framework of a specialized UN agency - the International Telecommunication Union. The government added that Ukraine's withdrawal from the agreement will not affect the interests of Ukrainian citizens.

In February 2021, Ukraine also withdrew from the CIS agreement in the field of postal and electrical communications. In addition, the country has already withdrawn from many agreements within the CIS. In particular, the Cabinet of Ministers supported Ukraine's withdrawal from the Mining Charter of the CIS member states, from the agreement on the coordination of interstate relations in the CIS electric power industry, the agreement on the basic principles of cooperation in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy and others.

Increase in electromagnetic radiation standards tenfold - from 10 μW/cm ² to 100 μW/cm ²

In January 2021, an order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine was approved to increase the norms of electromagnetic radiation tenfold - from 10 μW/cm ² to 100 μW/cm ². Thanks to this, the quality of mobile communications should improve, and the Internet in the country will become faster, the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine said.

As explained in the Ministry of Digital Development, approaching the EU radiation standards will increase the power of existing stations, which, in turn, will improve the signal level in the territory where there is already coverage. In addition, the innovation will increase the range of base stations, that is, expand coverage.

In Ukraine, the radiation standards for base stations were increased to 100 μW/cm ²

Another plus from the increase in radiation standards from telecommunications equipment is the introduction of new ranges on the existing infrastructure, which will improve the quality of communication and allow the use of new technologies.

The current norms are still far from those in most countries Europe or in, USA but the consultation process with their increase lasted almost a year. I hope that in three years we will be able to harmonize the rules of the game with developed countries, "said Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for the Development of Digital Infrastructure Alexander Shelest, whose words are quoted by the press service of the Ministry of Digital Development.

Previously To Ukraine , some of the strictest standards for the maximum permissible level of electromagnetic radiation were applied - 10 μW/cm ², while To Europe the indicator is 100 μW/cm ², and in the USA - 1000 μW/cm ². World Health Organization Studies have not confirmed the impact of radiation from base stations on human health or the environment.

The Ministry of Digital Development also announced the safety of radiation from base stations for health following a study conducted in July 2020 together with the Ukrainian State Center for Radio Frequencies.^[6]

2020: Radiophobes hinder the development of 4G and 5G in Ukraine

In September 2020, the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine reported that local authorities and public utilities throughout the country impede the installation of base stations due to radiophobia.

As noted in the department, radiophobia is increasingly becoming an obstacle to the development of mobile communications in Ukraine, not only because of the expected 5G standard, but also because of 4G.

By September 2020, there is information about several examples when local authorities impede the operation of mobile base stations, citing their fictitious harm. One of them is the city of Brovary near Kyiv, where the education department of the Brovary City Council forces the removal of installed base stations near the school, the Ministry of Digital Development said.

Ministry of Digital Development of Ukraine: local authorities and public utilities prevent the installation of base stations due to radiophobia

The department also added that the installation of a base station for the city clinical hospital is hindered by the leadership of the Health Department of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council. In addition, the Central District Hospital of the Kyiv-Svyatoshinsky District impedes the development of communication on its territory.

Such actions of officials are not a concern for citizens. On the contrary, many more people will suffer because of them than active radiophobes. Without high-quality mobile communications in a difficult quarantine period, it is impossible to get through to a doctor on time, take part in a video conference or get a task for training, the ministry said.

They also mentioned a number of cases of radiophobia in Mariupol - in this city, the installation of base stations is hindered by the city council, the State Judicial Administration in the Donetsk region and the Mariupolteploset Communist Party.

We can emphasize once again: mobile base stations installed by Ukrainian operators are not harmful to people, animals and plants. The radiation standards of base stations in Ukraine are set 10-100 times stricter than in and To Europe , the To America Ministry of Digital Development emphasized.[7]

2019

Ukraine abolishes "mobile slavery" 5 years after Russia

On May 1, 2019, a service for changing a mobile operator with a number will be launched in Ukraine. The service will work in the country 5.5 years after its start in Russia. Read more here.

The total annual income of Ukrainian operators reached $2.3 billion

In 2018, the total revenues of companies from the provision of communication services amounted to UAH 61.9 billion (about $2.3 billion). This is stated in the report on the work of the National Commission.

According to the document, in 2018, revenues from the provision of communication services amounted to UAH 61.9 million, of which revenues from the provision of telecommunications services amounted to 91.1%, and revenues from the provision of postal services and courier services - 8.9%, reports Finance.ua^[8].

In 2016-2018, there was a trend towards an increase in revenues from the provision of communication services, in 2018 increased by 10.2% compared to 2017, the report said.

Revenues from the provision of telecommunications services in 2018 increased by 10.5% compared to 2017 and amounted to UAH 56.5 billion, revenues from the provision of postal services and courier services in 2018 increased by 8.2% compared to 2017 and reached UAH 5.5 billion.

In the structure of revenues from the provision of telecommunications services in 2018, mobile communications (61.9%) and fixed Internet access (14.4%) accounted for the most.

2017

Kyivstar President: 75% of the population has access to 3G

In Ukraine, 75% of the population in 9.5 thousand settlements have access to 3G. According to Kyivstar President Petro Chernyshov, if the authorities considered providing operators with frequencies in the 900 MHz band, the percentage of coverage of the territory of Ukraine 3G would increase to 98%. "If you look at the coverage map - you see a lot of white spots, this is network coverage in the 2100 MHz range, in the case of 900 MHz, these spots will not exist," he explained in September 2017. Chernyshov believes that the strategic task for the company is to make 3G massive^[9] population^[10].

The head of Kyivstar also said that in the operator's network there is both an increase in the average consumption of minutes per subscriber and an increase in the consumption of Internet traffic. So, in the second quarter, the first indicator within the network amounted to 572 minutes, and the average traffic consumption per subscriber increased 2.7 times to 760 MB. Chernyshov notes that this is due to an increase in the 3G coverage area and an increase in the number of smartphones, the penetration of which in Ukraine is still only 42%. The penetration of mobile communications in Ukraine, according to the head of telecom, exceeds 100% - everyone wants to have a second, or even third SIM card.

"Abolition of mobile slavery"

In Ukraine, in the spring of 2017, mobile subscribers will be able to save phone numbers when changing a cellular company. To do this, it will be necessary to submit an application to a new operator and notify about the transition of the previous one. After consideration of the client's appeal, a translation will be made. A voice message will also be included for incoming calls for some time, informing that the number to which the subscriber is calling belongs to another attendant. It is highly likely that the service will be paid.

Ukrainian mobile operators are waiting for approved settlement conditions from the regulator. Kyivstar believes that "tariffs should be available for customers who want to use the service."

The introduction of MNP technology in the telecommunications market of Ukraine is being carried out by Es Ai Center, which won a tender for 32 million hryvnia ($1.1 million - approx. DR^[11]).

See also:
Transfer of telephone number in Russia (MNP)

2016

5G network will be launched in Ukraine in 2019-2020

On December 6 Kiev , telecommunications companies signed a memorandum on the development of 5G in. To Ukraine According to the chairman of the National Commission for the Regulation of Communications Alexander Zhivotovsky, Internet the fifth generation mobile network is planned to be launched in 2019-2020^[12]

5G will come to Ukraine in 2019-2020, according to the chairman of the National Commission for Communication Regulation Alexander Zhivotovsky. The corresponding intentions for cooperation in the development of fifth-generation communications were signed in Kyiv on December 6 by such companies as lifecell, Ericsson and Huawei.

At the first stage, it is planned to work out ideas and models for the implementation of 5G services. Then the companies will begin work on the software and technical part of the project for the experimental launch of a new generation of communications. Ericsson Ukraine CEO Wojciech Bayda noted that "5G testing is the simplest aspect of our work. Much more time is needed to prepare business models and understand what services and programs are needed for Ukraine. "

Ukraine wants to participate in the development of standards for European 5G networks

Ukraine plans to take part in the development of fifth-generation communication standards, with the help of which the Internet of Things will come to European countries.

Ukraine is negotiating to include its IT companies among the developers of standards for 5G networks in Europe. European Commissioner Ottinger, during a meeting with the Ukrainian delegation of representatives of IT companies, stressed that "5G coverage should be as complete and high-quality as possible," i.e. it is necessary to make new networks as comprehensive as 2G. And not as it happened with the latest standard - 4G is common in Europe only in cities.

Also, the Ukrainian side, in close cooperation with telecommunications equipment suppliers such as Ericsson or Huawei, is ready to deploy fifth-generation communication testing on its territory in order to further introduce these technologies in Europe for the development of the Internet of Things^[13].

Investments in 3G networks amounted to about $670 million since the beginning of 2015

Three Ukrainian mobile operators, developing 3G networks in the country, have already invested about 670 million in communications dollars USA in a year and a half. What investments were made by each of the operators, whether they bring profit to companies - see the graphic report.

Since the beginning of 2015, the "big three" operators of Ukraine have been creating 3G networks in the country. Operators invested UAH 15.3 billion ($670 million) over 7 quarters in the development of third-generation communications. Which company invested how much, whether the investments paid off - we look at the resource report ліга.net.

Capital Investment Size

In early 2015, three mobile operators won the auction and bought licenses from the state to build 3G networks. Kyivstar and VF Ukraine (formerly MTS Ukraine) (Vodafone) paid UAH 2.7 billion for the right to develop third-generation communications ($105 million - approx. DR^[14]life:) ( now lifecell) license cost UAH 3.3 billion ($128 million - approx. DR). After that, the companies invested the development of network infrastructure in a year and a half 15.3 billion hryvnia (about $670 million).

The schedule shows that Vodafone made the most significant financial contribution to the development of 3G - UAH 5.9 billion. Lifecell, having bought the most expensive auction lot (paid 600 million UAH more than others), invested only 4 billion UAH in infrastructure.

Mobile operators' incomes grow gradually

With the beginning of the development of 3G networks, Ukrainian operators declare an increase in revenues, with which it occurs gradually. Kyivstar, as an operator with the largest subscriber base - 26.3 million SIM cards, also has the best dynamics of revenue growth. The company lifecell (subscriber base - 9.7 million active SIM cards) has not such a rapid increase in profitability.

Interest Rate Investments

Lifecell costs the most, judging by what percentage of gross income falls on capital investments quarterly. The company has the smallest subscriber base, but at the same time it is trying to "keep up" with competitors. For Kyivstar, the construction of 3G networks was quite easy in finance.

See also

• Economy of Ukraine
• IT market of Ukraine
• Information security in Ukraine
• Cybercrime and cyber conflicts: Ukraine
• IT Public Procurement (Ukraine)
• Cellular communication (Ukrainian market)
• Cell phones (Ukrainian market)
• Internet (Ukrainian market)
• Electronic payment systems in Ukraine
• IPTV (Ukrainian market)

Notes