The resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers on approving terms for introducing fourth-generation communications (4G), which allows for a “digital breakthrough” of Ukraine. However, the new technology launch time, and the new network coverage totally depend on the frequency spectrum to be used for launching 4G communications.
For the time being, the government offers to Ukrainian telecom operators two options of introducing 4G communications technology, i.e. in the band of 2600 MHz and 1800 MHz. However, in the first case, operators have to build new mobile networks, requiring billions of investment and taking many years. At the same time, Ukrainian mobile networks already apply special solutions that allow developing fourth-generation communications technology at frequencies of 900 and 1800 MHz. For example, 92% of “Kyivstar”’s radio equipment is ready for operation in the 4G standard. If the new technology is developed at frequencies of 1800 MHz, a number of Ukrainian cities can get 4G services by the end of 2018.
Petr Chernyshov, President of “Kyivstar”: “Ukraine has to overcome the digital gap with other countries, i.e. it is necessary to introduce technological neutrality and allow operators to run 4G at frequencies of 1800 band. These undertakings will significantly accelerate the process.”
Due to launching new communications technologies, Ukraine will not only receive more revenues from selling licenses and new services tax liabilities, but also an opportunity to develop cloud technologies, IOT and other services that will contribute to the economic growth of the country.
Igor Ereshchenko, the chief spectral strategy expert at “Kyivstar”: “The 1800 MHz band is the most universal for developing 4G/LTE technology. There are more than 580 commercial 4G networks in the world, of which 272 networks operate at 1800 MHz. Getting an opportunity to develop 4G-standard services at frequencies of 1800 MHz, operators will be able to use other radio frequencies (for instance, 2.6 GHz) for further capacity increasing.”
