Ukrainian operators Kyivstar and Ukrtelecom have signed an agreement to cooperate under an open access model, based on the shared use of telecommunications infrastructure.
Kyivstar Group, the parent company of JSC Kyivstar, and part of Veon Group, has announced that both operators will reciprocally use parts of each other's networks, helping to bring fibre coverage to homes across the country quickly and efficiently.
As part of the project, Kyivstar will provide home internet services and access to its digital ecosystem by using Ukrtelecom's GPON network, while Ukrtelecom will provide optical internet services by using Kyivstar's extensive fibre network on an open market basis.
The open access model provides network access on transparent and non-discriminatory terms. According to the FTTH Council Europe, this approach promotes fair and transparent competition among service providers.
The partners say that the implementation of the project will contribute to the further development of Ukraine's telecommunications market while also enabling faster expansion of access to fibre broadband and modern digital services for a greater number of Ukrainians.
Yurii Kurmaz, CEO of Ukrtelecom, explains: "Open access gives us a practical way to make better use of the infrastructure we've already built, while accelerating the rollout of modern digital services." He adds: "We believe this model will become one of the key drivers behind the next stage of growth in Ukraine's telecoms sector. With 95,000 kilometres of existing fibre network, Ukrtelecom is ready to scale this approach and open up new opportunities for modern telecommunications services across the country."
Under this system, each operator retains its direct relationship with its subscribers by independently defining its tariff policy and commercial terms, while also providing customer support and billing. The owner of the network remains responsible for its operation and technical maintenance. Information exchanged between the companies is limited to the technical data required to provide network access as part of the project.
The first phase of the project, during which the companies will validate the cooperation model and the operation of the information systems integrated as part of the project, will begin in three regions – Odesa in the south-west, Vinnytsia (west-central Ukraine) and Kirovohrad (central Ukraine) – and will cover more than one million residents of the country. It is then expected to expand to other regions of Ukraine.
