Ukrainian operator lifecell has completed a network modernisation project in Kyiv in just five months, delivering major improvements across key performance metrics to meet rising demand for connectivity.

In a translated statement, the operator said it had significantly enhanced mobile service quality and coverage in the capital for more than 1 million users. Average download speeds increased by 29%, coverage expanded by 23%, and latency was reduced by more than half – from 43 milliseconds to 25 milliseconds.

lifecell explained it adopted an alternative deployment approach, opting for “targeted modernisation” rather than traditional large-scale, multi-year projects. The company conducted extensive testing across different districts of Kyiv to create an interactive map of key radio and service performance indicators, including signal strength, radio quality, and upload and download speeds.

A key priority was improving indoor coverage as well as capacity and outdoor coverage. As part of the project, lifecell upgraded more than 700 base stations with additional 4G modules, boosting coverage and network stability in high-demand areas.

“To ensure our subscribers could enjoy high-quality connectivity right now, we abandoned the traditional ‘years-long mega-project’ approach in favour of rapid modernisation focused on actual user needs. The results confirm the correctness of this strategy,” said Serhii Tereshchuk, CTO of the Datagroup-Volia-lifecell Group.

The operator plans to extend this modernisation strategy to other regions of Ukraine, tailoring upgrades to the needs of each location.