Govt exempts less than 1% of Kyivstar network from power outage

Only 40 sites of the largest mobile operator Kyivstar were included in the list of critical facilities exempt from power outages, which is less than 1% of its network.

The second largest mobile operator VF Ukraine (Vodafone Ukraine) submitted a list of facilities for approval to the National Center for Operational and Technical Management of Telecommunication Networks, which "does not cover thousands of base stations across the country."

"On November 1, 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers added critical facilities of electronic communications operators to the list of facilities that must be provided with priority power supply during the period of martial law and six months after its termination. Kyivstar welcomes and supports this initiative, as it will contribute to the growth of the stability of the network in the event of potential outages… According to the government resolution, for Kyivstar the number of such sites is up to 40, less than 1% of the entire network," the Kyivstar press service reported in response to a request from the Interfax-Ukraine agency.

According to the Cabinet of Ministers' resolution, the list of technical means of electronic communications and/or structures of electronic communication networks that cannot be disconnected from electricity is formed by the above mentioned center, the Kyivstar press service emphasized.

At the same time, if the center agrees to increase the number of facilities on the list, only those that have a separate cable input can be connected to an uninterruptible power supply, the operator's press service emphasized.

"To ensure uninterrupted power supply to such facilities, it is necessary to build a separate cable entry. However, the technical possibility of building such an entry does not exist for all network facilities, which may affect the practical implementation of this initiative," the Kyivstar press service said.

The company reported that Kyivstar continues to prepare for the 2024-2025 winter season. The operator has begun implementing the second phase of investments, which includes the installation of 113,000 new batteries at base stations and 1,427 industrial generators. More than 75% of the Kyivstar network is provided with a four-hour backup power supply, and the company is currently working to increase the number of base stations with six-hour backup for all key sites.

"In case of long blackouts, Kyivstar will provide continuous communication for at least three days for all critical network nodes and for more than 2,000 objects for the functioning of the economy and the country's security system, determined by authorized state bodies in the framework of the implementation of the relevant decision of the National Security and Defense Council," the press service emphasized.

Since 2022, Kyivstar has invested more than UAH 1.9 billion in the energy independence of the network.

The company reported that it "submitted to the center for consideration a list of nodal objects that primarily need a stable power supply."

"The list does not cover thousands of base stations throughout the country, whose energy independence we continue to ensure on our own. Final approval is expected at the state and local levels," the press service of Vodafone Ukraine clarified.

Since the beginning of 2024, Vodafone Ukraine has invested UAH 1 billion in network energy sustainability, said Olha Ustynova, CEO of Vodafone Ukraine, at the tenth Kyiv International Economic Forum (KIEF) on Thursday.

According to her, the company has provided 100% of the network with "professional generators that can operate for 72 hours and even up to two weeks. The company also continues to install batteries.

"The batteries are all new, they are very powerful, but they need some time to charge. Therefore, the big question is what the power supply intervals (outage schedules) will be. If there is no power for 4-5 hours, it will be very difficult to charge the batteries," she said, noting that 19% of the company's 1,000 base stations located in Kyiv are on the roofs of buildings. This makes it impossible to install generators there due to the risk of fires.

Earlier, it was reported that the Cabinet of Ministers expanded the list of critical facilities with priority power supply by including technical means of electronic communications and/or structures of electronic communications networks according to the lists determined by the National Center for Operational and Technical Management of Telecommunication Networks. Resolution No. 1260 on amendments to the resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated May 24, 2024 under No. 600 and dated July 25, 2024 under No. 856 will be in effect throughout the entire period of martial law and six months after its termination.