Kyivstar, Ukraine’s national communications operator, has expanded its 5G pilot project, bringing fifth-generation mobile connectivity to Kharkiv.
The city becomes the third location in the country to test 5G, following previous pilot zones in the historical center of Lviv and the central part of the village of Borodyanka.
During the pilot programs in Lviv and Borodyanka, Kyivstar reported handling more than 89.2 terabytes of data through its 5G network. In Lviv, over 186,000 subscribers participated in the trial, with 5G traffic accounting for more than 32% of total usage. Borodyanka saw approximately 9,000 users joining the test.
Testing 5G in Kharkiv will assess the network’s performance under the challenging conditions of full-scale war. The launch underscores the ability of Ukrainian businesses to implement innovative technology projects even under martial law.
Kyivstar prepared extensively before the official rollout, including verifying equipment compatibility with military technologies. The new 5G base stations are already operational on Kharkiv’s Maidan Svobody. Users can expect average download speeds of 600–700 Mbit/s, with peak speeds reaching 1.5–1.7 Gbit/s. The network operates on the 3500 MHz frequency band.
Subscribers need a 5G-capable smartphone with the latest software updates, a USIM card (compatible with 4G), and to be within a 5G coverage area. Data usage will follow the terms of existing tariff plans.
While full nationwide 5G deployment will only be possible after the war, Kyivstar continues to expand its 4G coverage. Currently, more than 96% of the population in Ukraine-controlled territories has access to 4G, with LTE peak speeds exceeding 1 Gbit/s.
The rollout of 5G in a front-line city highlights the resilience and innovation of Ukrainian business despite ongoing wartime challenges.
