Kyivstar Launches Large-Scale Telecom Network Modernization Project

Rhea-AI Summary

Kyivstar (Nasdaq: KYIV) launched a large-scale network modernization program running through 2025–2026 to boost 4G capacity and prepare infrastructure for 5G, the PR states. The program targets high-traffic sites and involves equipment replacement, radio-module updates, and software upgrades.

According to the company, initial upgraded sites are showing ~30% higher data transfer speeds and ~50% greater network capacity. Kyivstar also notes short-term, localized service impacts during reconfiguration. The PR highlights Ookla Speedtest awards and a USD 1 billion VEON–Kyivstar investment commitment for 2023–2027.

Positive

• Data transfer speed +30% at upgraded sites
• Network capacity ~+50% at upgraded sites
• USD 1 billion committed investment (2023–2027)

Negative

• Short-term mobile internet and call disruptions during upgrades
• Modernization spans 2025–2026, causing temporary coverage reductions

Insights

Telecom Infrastructure Analyst

Kyivstar's 2025–2026 network modernization boosts capacity and speeds, supporting future 5G readiness and customer experience.

The article states Kyivstar launched a large-scale modernization running through 2025–2026 that targets high-traffic sites with equipment replacement and radio module updates to expand 4G capacity and prepare for 5G.

What it means: upgrading the busiest sites and deploying modern radio equipment typically raises usable capacity and peak/average speeds; the release reports observed gains of about 30% in data speed and roughly 50% in network capacity at early sites, which are concrete operational signals rather than promotional claims.

Why it matters: higher capacity and documented speed gains reduce congestion, improve quality under load, and create a technical baseline for adding 5G services; the disclosed multi‑year timeline and the group's commitment of $1 billion for 2023–2027 provide a funding context for scale. Monitor the published rollout milestones for 2025–2026 and further measured Speedtest or operator metrics to verify network-wide results.

KYIV, Ukraine, Oct. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kyivstar (Nasdaq: KYIV), Ukraine’s leading digital operator, has initiated a large-scale network modernization project that will run throughout 2025–2026. The initiative aims to enhance service quality, expand 4G network capacity, and prepare infrastructure for fifth-generation (5G) mobile communications rollout.

Network modernization is a comprehensive set of technical measures aimed at upgrading and developing infrastructure, improving service quality, and enhancing customer experience. This includes replacing outdated equipment, updating radio modules, and more.

While Kyivstar conducts regular network upgrades, this large-scale modernization program will deliver substantially higher service quality and unlock new opportunities for customers.

The company is prioritizing modernization of telecom sites with the heaviest traffic — those with the highest number of users and data consumption. Deploying state-of-the-art equipment will increase network capacity and boost data transmission speeds while enabling new software features that allow significantly more data transfer within the same timeframe. This results in faster download speeds and stable service even under heavy network load.

Kyivstar is currently analyzing initial results of already-completed work. The modernization effort began with sites most in need of upgrades, and those locations are now demonstrating an average increase of about 30% in data transfer speed and roughly 50% in network capacity.

During equipment replacement and network reconfiguration, short-term changes in mobile internet speed, call quality, and temporary reductions in radio coverage may occur in certain areas. These are standard steps of the modernization process, which will ultimately deliver greater stability and service quality.

Thanks to significant infrastructure investments and ongoing network expansion and modernization, Kyivstar has once again been recognized as Ukraine’s Best Mobile Network by Ookla — the global leader in connectivity analytics and developer of the Speedtest service. Based on results from H2 2024 and H1 2025, the operator received all key Speedtest Awards in Ukraine: Best Mobile Coverage, Fastest Mobile Network, and Best Mobile Network.

Kyivstar Group Ltd
Kyivstar Group Ltd (Nasdaq: KYIV; KYIVW) ("Kyivstar Group") is a Nasdaq-listed holding company that manages the Kyivstar group of companies in Ukraine. Through its subsidiaries, Kyivstar Group is the country’s leading digital operator and the first Ukrainian company to have its shares traded on a U.S. stock exchange.

The group’s companies provide a broad range of connectivity and digital services, including mobile and fixed-line voice and data, ride-hailing, e-health, digital TV, and enterprise solutions such as big data, cloud, and cybersecurity.

Together with VEON, Kyivstar Group has committed to investing USD 1 billion in Ukraine during 2023–2027, focusing on infrastructure and technology development, charitable support, and strategic acquisitions

For more information, please visit https://investors.kyivstar.ua.

About JSC Kyivstar
JSC Kyivstar (“Kyivstar”) is Ukraine’s leading digital operator, serving around 22.4 million mobile subscribers and over 1.1 million fixed-line Home internet customers as of June 30, 2025. The company provides services using a wide range of mobile and fixed technologies, including 4G, Big Data, cloud solutions, cybersecurity services, digital TV, and more. Kyivstar is advancing new telecommunication technologies in Ukraine and together with VEON plans to invest USD 1 billion in this direction during 2023–2027.

Kyivstar is wholly owned by Kyivstar Group Ltd (Nasdaq: KYIV; KYIVW), the first Ukrainian company to have its shares traded on the U.S. stock exchange Nasdaq.

The company contributes to overcoming the challenges of wartime and, over the past three years, has allocated more than UAH 3.4 billion to support the Defence Forces, its subscribers, and the implementation of social projects. Kyivstar has operated in Ukraine for 27 years and is recognised as the largest taxpayer in the digital communications market, a top employer, and a socially responsible company. Additional information: pr@kyivstar.net, www.kyivstar.ua.

FAQ

What is Kyivstar announcing in the October 6, 2025 PR about its network modernization?

The PR states Kyivstar started a large-scale modernization running through 2025–2026 to expand 4G capacity and prepare for 5G.

How much did Kyivstar report speeds and capacity improved at upgraded sites (Nasdaq: KYIV)?

According to the company, upgraded sites show about 30% faster data transfer speeds and roughly 50% higher capacity.

Will Kyivstar (KYIV) customers experience service issues during the modernization?

The PR warns of possible short-term, localized reductions in mobile internet speed, call quality, and radio coverage during reconfiguration.

What investment commitment did Kyivstar note in the press release?

The PR references a joint commitment with VEON to invest USD 1 billion in Ukraine during 2023–2027.

Did Kyivstar receive any industry recognition mentioned in the October 6, 2025 PR?

Yes. The PR states Kyivstar won all key Ookla Speedtest Awards in Ukraine for results from H2 2024 and H1 2025.