Ukrainian mobile carrier Kyivstar has outlined plans to reallocate 3G spectrum for its 4G network development this year.
The Veon-owned carrier it will begin retiring 3G in favor of 4G in a number of areas in the Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv regions.
Kyivstar noted that it will begin reallocating the spectrum from August 26, 2025.
According to the telco, this phasing out of 3G is the next stage of modernization of the telecom infrastructure, as the company prepares to launch 5G.
The reallocation of the spectrum to 4G is part of Veon's investment into its Ukrainian subsidiary. Last year, the telco increased its investment in Kyivstar to $1 billion.
Kyivstar's network upgrades have taken place amid the country's ongoing war with Russia.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Kyivstar has upgraded more than 13,200 existing base stations to 4G.
By the end of next year, Kyivstar wants to cover 98 percent of the population in controlled territories with 4G coverage.
Kyivstar confirmed that its plans to reallocate the 3G spectrum for 4G will mean that cities in the Dnipropetrovsk region will no longer have 3G mobile service. This includes; Dnipro, Kamianske, Vilnohirsk, Pidgorodne, Slobozhanske, Novomoskovsk district, Kamianske district, and Samar (Novomoskovsk).
Elsewhere, 3G will no longer be available in several areas in Lviv, including; Drohobych, Stryi, Truskavets, Boryslav, and the Sheptytske village of Chervonohrad community.
At present, no commercial 5G network has been launched in Ukraine, although another telco in Ukraine, Vodafone, held trials last year.