Kyivstar (NASDAQ:KYIV), Ukraine's leading mobile operator and a subsidiary of VEON (NASDAQ:VEON), launched a 5G pilot network in the western city of Lviv on January 12, 2026, in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.
The pilot is designed to evaluate real-world network performance in an urban environment.
Pre-launch testing demonstrated peak 5G download speeds exceeding 2.4 Gbps, while Kyivstar's existing 4G network already delivers peak speeds above 1 Gbps in select areas.
The 5G deployment will utilize the 3500 MHz and 700 MHz frequency bands allocated for commercial use in Ukraine.
Following the Lviv pilot, Kyivstar plans a phased expansion to Borodianka and Kharkiv in the coming months, with potential rollout to Kyiv and Odesa later in 2026.
A full nationwide 5G deployment will be considered only after the ongoing war concludes, reflecting the company's cautious approach amid security and infrastructure challenges.
As part of its broader commitment to rebuilding Ukraine's connectivity, Kyivstar is investing approximately USD 1 billion between 2023 and 2027 to restore and modernize digital infrastructure damaged during the conflict.
The initiative underscores VEON's long-term strategy to support Ukraine's digital recovery and position Kyivstar as a leader in next-generation mobile technology in the region.