Kyivstar launches 5G pilot in Ukraine's Lviv

Kyivstar, Ukraine's digital operator and a unit of VEON (NASDAQ: VEON), launched a 5G test zone in Lviv's historical center on January 12, marking the company's first local 5G pilot project in coordination with Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation.

The pilot aims to evaluate network performance in urban conditions. Following testing in Lviv, Kyivstar plans to expand 5G availability to Kharkiv and Borodianka, with Kyiv and Odesa scheduled for later in 2026. A full-scale 5G rollout will only be considered after the war ends.

"Even in the midst of full-scale war — under constant Russian attacks on infrastructure and during blackouts — Ukraine continues to move forward and expand innovation in the telecom sector," said Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. "Lviv is only the first city. We will soon begin pilots in Borodianka and Kharkiv as well."

Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov said the company is investing $1 billion over 2023-2027 into rebuilding Ukraine's connectivity and digital infrastructure. The company conducted its first 5G tests in February 2024 at its Kyiv headquarters.

During pre-launch testing in Lviv, the 5G network achieved peak download speeds exceeding 2.4 Gbps. In Ukraine, 5G operates in two frequency bands: 3500 MHz for high data transmission speeds and 700 MHz for wider coverage. The company ensured 5G activation would not interfere with military communications.

Kyivstar continues focusing on its "4G Everywhere" target while modernizing its network, with peak 4G speeds already exceeding 1 Gbps in some areas during off-peak hours. The company trades on NASDAQ under ticker KYIV.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Apple suing OpenAI over alleged misappropriation of trade secrets
• InterDigital adjusts conversion rate on 3.50% senior convertible notes
• Faraday Future registers up to 62M shares for resale