5G is now available in central Kyiv: how to get connected
This has been reported by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.
The next-generation network is already available in the central part of the capital. At the same time, operators are rolling out pilot coverage in different ways: Vodafone has stated that its test network is operational in all districts of Kyiv.
This is specifically a pilot project, rather than a full-scale commercial roll-out of 5G across Ukraine. Operators will be testing the stability of the equipment, data transfer speeds, coverage density and signal penetration through urban buildings.
Kyiv was chosen as one of the main testing sites due to the high load on mobile networks. With the help of 5G, operators plan to partially relieve the strain on LTE in areas where thousands of people are using the network simultaneously.
What speeds does 5G deliver?
During preliminary trials, data transfer speeds exceeded 1 Gbit/s, with an average of approximately 600–700 Mbit/s.
On the Kyivstar network, the average 5G speed in the capital is 600–800 Mbit/s, whilst the maximum exceeds 1.7 Gbit/s. Actual speeds will depend on the subscriber’s location, network load, smartphone model and signal quality.
Over 300 base stations have already been deployed to support the pilot network in Ukraine. Operators are continuing to expand the infrastructure and test its performance under various conditions.
How to connect to 5G on your smartphone
Your phone must support 5G technology. According to the Ministry of Digital Transformation, around 29 per cent of Ukrainians’ smartphones currently have this capability.
If your device is compatible with the new standard and is within the coverage area, it will usually connect automatically. In your mobile network settings, you’ll need to check that 5G is enabled and ensure you’re running the latest version of the operating system.
Power-saving and mobile data-saving modes may prevent the connection from working. If the 5G icon does not appear, you can switch on aeroplane mode for a few seconds and then switch it off, or restart your smartphone.
Even if all the conditions are met, your phone will not connect to 5G if there is no active base station from the relevant operator nearby. Therefore, network availability may vary in different parts of Kyiv.
Where 5G has already been tested in Ukraine
Prior to the launch in the capital, operators tested the technology in Lviv, Kharkiv and Borodianka. This allowed them to test the network’s performance in historic districts, at railway stations, in small communities and in a town near the front line.
According to lifecell, compared with the first few weeks of the pilot zones’ operation, traffic consumption on the 5G network has increased by 75 per cent, whilst the number of concurrent sessions has risen by 35 per cent.
In total, nearly 1.5 million Ukrainians have already benefited from the new-generation pilot network. The results obtained will be used to prepare for the full-scale roll-out of 5G once martial law has ended.
Odesa is set to be the next city where the pilot project is to be expanded. The Ministry of Digital Transformation and mobile operators are already preparing to launch a test network in southern Ukraine.
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