Vodafone Ukraine, Kyivstar mobile operators complete 2100 MHz spectrum swap
Ukraine's largest mobile operators, Kyivstar and VF Ukraine (Vodafone Ukraine), have completed the swap of frequencies in the 2100 MHz spectrum, resolving the issue of fragmented spectrum allocation, Vodafone Ukraine CEO Olga Ustinova announced.
"We have completed the frequency swap," Ustinova said on the sidelines of the NadLiudy (Superhuman) forum organized by Forbes Ukraine.
Vodafone Ukraine and Kyivstar initiated the frequency exchange at the end of January, with the final region being Dnipropetrovsk. As a result, both companies were able to consolidate contiguous 2x20 MHz bands in the 2100 MHz range, allowing for reduced costs through more efficient resource utilization and faster data transmission speeds.
Kyivstar had acquired a license for additional spectrum in the 2100 MHz band – neutral for 3G and 4G technologies – at an auction held by the National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications, Radiofrequency Spectrum and the Provision of Postal Services (NCEC) on November 19, 2024. However, the newly acquired spectrum block was not adjacent to Kyivstar's existing holdings, prompting the company to initiate the frequency swap process.
The NCEC approved the frequency exchange between Kyivstar and VF Ukraine (Vodafone Ukraine) at a meeting on January 15, 2025.
