Result of 4G tender coincide with Kyivstar's plans – company president
The largest mobile communications operator of Ukraine Kyivstar at a tender of the National Commission for Communications Regulation (NCCR) bought the right to use radio frequencies in the 2,530-2,535/2,650-2,655 MHz, 2,525-2,530/2,645-2,650 MHz and 2,520-2,525/2,640-2,645 MHz ranges for UAH 916.3 million to develop 4G network, which was in line with the company's plans.
"As we planned we bought three lots providing for the continuous frequency range of 2x15 MHz, which allows providing services at the highest speed as possible, understanding that… we soon would need additional frequencies for the full-featured launch of IoT products, developing Mobile ID and other services," the company said in a press release, citing Kyivstar President Peter Chernyshov.
He said that the auction turned out to be competitive, which underlines the good preparation of the regulator and the interest of the market.
Kyivstar has by now prepared more than 500 towers in the largest cities of Ukraine, sea resorts, at border crossing points to launch 4G in the 2,600 MHz band, and in 2018 plans to install another 600 towers, the press service said.
The company recalls that NCCR will officially announce the winners of the tender on its website within five days, and in the next 30 days the operators are required to pay the full amount of the license cost. The operators are obliged to start the provision of 4G communication services in one of the regions within a period not later than six months after receiving the license, and deploy the network in all regional centers - no later than 54 months from the date of obtaining the license.
Late August last year, Kyivstar reported that in 28 months after receiving the license for 3G communications, the operator built and put into commercial operation more than 7,300 3G towers.
Kyivstar is the largest Ukrainian mobile communication operator, serving about 26.4 million subscribers as of the end of the third quarter of 2017.