Kyivstar is testing 5G: nearly 500,000 subscribers have already used the network
Kyivstar has announced this.
Kyivstar, the national electronic communications operator, is analysing the results of pilot tests of fifth-generation mobile communications. The company notes that even with coverage limited to test sites, subscribers are already actively using the new standard, and traffic volumes are increasing.
Kyivstar is currently testing 5G technology in real-world urban environments. The company is assessing network load, user behaviour and network efficiency. Pilot zones have already been rolled out in three cities – Lviv, Kharkiv and Borodianka. The operator is also preparing to launch 5G pilots in Kyiv and Odesa.
The company emphasises that the results of these tests should help shape approaches to the further development of 5G in Ukraine once the war has ended.
Since the launch of the first pilot projects in January 2026, nearly 500,000 subscribers have already used 5G on the Kyivstar network. The average number of daily users of this technology totals around 50,000.
Within the pilot zones in Lviv and Kharkiv, 5G already accounts for 40% of total data traffic. In total, Kyivstar’s network has already processed over 358 TB of data on the fifth-generation network. According to the company, the highest levels of activity are demonstrated by owners of Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
What speeds did the tests show?
During closed-door tests conducted under conditions of minimal network load, the maximum data transfer speed on Kyivstar’s 5G network exceeded 2.4 Gbps.
Following the opening of access to all users and with an increase in the number of connections, the average speed on the test 5G network is 600–800 Mbps, whilst the maximum exceeds 1.7 Gbps.
The statement also explains that such mobile internet speeds make it possible, for example, to download an HD-quality film in a matter of seconds and watch 4K videos without any lag.
What will happen to 4G and why is 5G being rolled out
At the same time, Kyivstar emphasises that 4G will remain the main mobile communication technology in Ukraine for a long time to come.
The company continues to expand and modernise its 4G network, increasing its capacity and data transfer speeds, and claims to be the leader in terms of the number of 4G base stations in Ukraine. It is specified that this is confirmed by the company’s internal data and reports from providers of electronic communications networks and/or services using Form 1-T submitted to the National Commission for the Regulation of Electronic Communications (NCREC) as of 31 December 2025, excluding temporarily occupied territories.
High-speed LTE on the Kyivstar network is already available to over 96% of the population, and peak data transfer speeds on this network reach 1 Gbps.
The company adds that the roll-out of 5G will be the next stage in the development of digital infrastructure and will open up new opportunities, primarily for innovative solutions for business and the state.
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