The Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov , has announced the launch of a pilot project to introduce 5G communications in three Ukrainian cities. The project will last for two years and aims not only to test the capabilities of fifth-generation networks but also to assess their compatibility with military networks. According to telecommunications expert Roman Khimich, such tests are a standard procedure to eliminate the risks of mutual radio interference during the implementation of 5G. In addition to the main infrastructure goals, the initiative underscores Ukraine’s commitment to technological development and integration of the latest communication standards already in place in many countries.
The fifth generation standard
Despite long talks about the introduction of 5G, real steps in this direction have only just begun. Although 5G testing does not provide immediate broadband access for all residents of selected cities, this step is still an important step towards a new era of communication.
5G is a fifth-generation mobile communications standard that delivers significantly higher data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps, which is ten times faster than 4G. This allows you to instantly download files, stream high quality video without buffering and work with large amounts of data.
As a result, 5G is becoming a key technology of the future, which is being rapidly implemented in different countries, creating a new market for digital solutions. The high reliability of 5G is particularly important for applications requiring stable connectivity, such as medical devices, autonomous vehicles and industrial systems. Even in heavily loaded networks, 5G is able to provide reliable communication, which opens up wide opportunities for its use in various fields.
In Ukraine, 5G can also contribute to economic recovery: private 5G networks can be used in industry, construction, transport and public facilities, enabling the Internet of Things (IoT) on a large scale – from individual buildings to entire cities. This will reduce the cost and speed up work processes, which will help modernise key industries in the country.
Given Ukraine’s aspirations for digital integration with Europe and growing international support, 5G could become an important factor for the country’s stable and competitive development. Since 2023, the process of rapprochement between Ukraine and the EU in the electronic communications sector (the so-called ‘digital visa-free regime’) has significantly intensified. Interaction with certain countries has also intensified in this area. Work is currently underway to implement the European Electronic Communications Code in Ukraine.
Lviv, Kyiv, Odesa…
International experience shows that the development of complex and large-scale areas of technological innovation requires not only tactical government decisions but also a comprehensive national 5G strategy. It should be the basis for state sectoral policy, including special legislation and action programmes, partnership standards and security issues. Ukraine is currently at the starting point, while the EU has been developing this area as a priority since 2015-2016.
In the pilot project, Lviv will be the first city to test 5G technology. If it turns out that the new equipment does not interfere with military networks, the project will be expanded to Kyiv and Odesa.
As a reminder, mobile operators have already tested fifth-generation technology with the government’s approval. In particular, in May 2024, Vodafone, in cooperation with Finnish company Nokia, introduced a 5G test zone on the territory of the Ivano-Frankivsk innovation centre Promprylad.
At the same time, there is no talk of a full-fledged network launch in these cities. Rather, the new technology will be introduced at several base stations. ‘The network rollout starts from individual locations, so users will be able to connect to 5G in the test locations,’ explains Roman Khimich.
The explanatory note to the draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers states that on 31 December 2022, the Ministry of Digital Transformation received a letter from the Ministry of Defence with a proposal to consider the possibility of practical 5G measurements after the end of martial law.
Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov also said that the full rollout of 5G in Ukraine is planned to be completed by 2030.
Top five 5G leaders
5G technologies are unevenly distributed around the world. The top 5G countries include China, South Korea, the UK, Germany and the US.
These five countries emerged as leaders following the first commercial launches of fifth-generation mobile networks in late 2018, as several companies in these countries have deployed their respective networks and are selling compatible devices. Countries including Switzerland and Finland are actively developing 5G, but network deployment there is currently limited.
Infographic: IA FACT
The United States is trying to lead the 5G race. But so far, they are not succeeding. The Chinese are about a year and a half ahead of Western companies in technology.
For America, however, 5G technology is a success story in the development of communications. Since 2019, US telecoms companies have been actively building 5G infrastructure, which builds on previous generations (from 1G to 4G) and brings significant innovations. The new network opens up advanced artificial intelligence and augmented reality capabilities, facilitating the digital transformation of various industries.
5G plays an important role in increasing productivity, implementing environmental initiatives and creating economic benefits. The network covers small businesses, temporary facilities (e.g. construction zones, farms), vehicles, and more than 60% of smartphones in the US are already connected to 5G.
Infographic: IA ‘FACT’
Investments in 5G have a significant economic impact. According to a study by Compass-Lexecon, in 2020 alone, investments over the past decade have created 1.8 million jobs in the US and added $450 billion to the economy.
Companies are using 5G for new solutions: for example, Verizon’s private networks are supporting small businesses in rural areas, AT&T’s 5G helmets are helping deaf athletes, and T-Mobile has launched the first hybrid 5G network for healthcare in Boston. With these opportunities, 5G will continue to transform industries, businesses and everyday life in the years to come.
The growing role of 5G in the private sector
Private 5G networks are becoming an important source of revenue for businesses as they offer significantly faster speeds, reliability and lower latency than 4G. The popularity of such networks is growing rapidly: at the end of 2022, 34% of operators were already launching or testing private 5G networks, and by the end of last year, this figure had almost doubled to 64%.
In some countries, private 5G networks are developing particularly fast. In Europe, the leaders are Germany, the UK, France, the Nordic countries and Spain. 5G networks are most commonly used in manufacturing, financial services and media. The technology is also being implemented in important facilities such as construction, mines, airports, ports, hospitals and clinics.
Thus, 5G technology opens up new opportunities for economic development and technological modernisation. In Ukraine, its implementation is already starting through pilot projects that will eventually cover more industries and regions. At the same time, international experience shows that the successful development of 5G requires not only technical infrastructure, but also a government strategy and business support. The introduction of 5G will be an important step towards Ukraine’s integration into the digital space of Europe and strengthening its position in the global economy.
