Ukrainian operators reach agreement on 900MHz redistribution

Ukraine’s National Commission for State Regulation of Communications & Informatization has reported on its website that the country’s GSM 900MHz operators – Kyivstar, VF Ukraine (Vodafone Ukraine) and Lifecell – have reached a “basic agreement on the redistribution of radio frequency resources” in the 900MHz range.

The agreement aims “to ensure maximum coverage of the territory of Ukraine by modern mobile networks, to provide broadband internet access within the framework of the implementation of Presidential Decree of 8 July 2019 No. 497/2019.” The decree calls for the ‘release’ of the 880MHz-915MHz/925MHz-960MHz band for 3G/4G LTE usage by 1 October 2019.

The agreement defined “dimensions for maximum and efficient use of radio frequency resource” for each operator, although details were not made public. The NCCIR added that the next essential step is “eliminating the fragmentation” of the 900MHz band, involving agreements on regional distribution and finding “a compromise solution to establish … special [licensing] conditions for the coverage of settlements and roads”. Once the final arrangements have been reached, the relevant draft decisions will be forwarded for government approval.