Vodafone Ukraine and lifecell mobile communications operators advocate the redistribution of spectra within the 900 MHz band (with the purpose of the further launch of 3G/4G standards within the band), taking into account the interests of all operators.

Thus, Director for Corporate Governance and Control at Vodafone Ukraine Olha Deineha told Interfax-Ukraine that the frequency spectrum in this band is distributed unevenly among operators, and it is also used by special users for analogue television.

"Most of the spectra at the disposal of operators are concentrated with one of the operators. In the case of an equal redistribution of only the "operators-used" resource, a significant competitive advantage is created only for this operator. The remaining operators, and most importantly, their subscribers will be in a discriminatory situation," she said.

According to the top manager of Vodafone Ukraine, this situation is a significant obstacle to the equal refarming, if redistribution occurs only within the limits of "operators-used" frequencies.

According to her, Vodafone Ukraine is holding a dialogue with the regulator and other market participants how to solve the situation.

The press service of lifecell said that the uneven distribution of radio frequency spectrum between telecommunications operators is typical for Ukrainian realities. At the same time, due to open tenders for the 2100 MHz (3G), 2600 MHz and 1800 MHz (GSM/LTE) bands, the situation has improved somewhat.

"But the 900 MHz band, which is critical for ensuring penetration and quality of communication, is still concentrated in the hands of one operator," the company said.

So, Kyivstar has a frequency spectrum of 2х10.6 MHz in the 900MHz band; Vodafone Ukraine - 2х5.3 MHz; and lifecell - 2х3.9 MHz. At the same time, due to the use of the 900 MHz band, existing GSM quality (2G) in line with communication quality requirements is provided, as well as to spread a signal deep inside the premises, business and shopping centers.

In order to provide the population with broadband connection using UMTS-900 technology, the National Commission for Communications and Informatization Regulation (NCCR) has developed a plan for redistribution of the spectrum available in the 900 MHz band, according to which each operator will have the opportunity of allocating 2x5 MHz for launching UMTS-900 by reducing the spectrum currently used for GSM-900.

"At the same time, it will be impossible to provide even the existing quality of GSM services, which is used by a significant part of Ukrainians, especially for subscribers of two operators," the lifecell said.

At the same time, the operator considers it possible to launch the UMTS-900 technology while maintaining the quality and availability of GSM services, and is now preparing the relevant proposals to the redistribution plan designed by the NCCR.