Kyivstar, one of Ukraine’s leading mobile operators, is advancing its efforts to phase out 3G services in favor of faster and more efficient 4G connectivity.
The company has announced that frequency redistribution will begin on March 25, 2025, in selected settlements within the Poltava and Transcarpathian regions. This move is part of a broader initiative to enhance network performance and prepare for future technological advancements.
Related: Kyivstar to Shut Down 3G in 2025, Prioritizing 4G Expansion
Timeline of 3G Shutdown
On April 29, 2025, 3G services will be deactivated in Odessa, Izmail, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Chornomorsk, Pryluky, as well as the villages of Ovidiopol, Pivdenne, and Fontanka.
Kyivstar emphasizes that transitioning away from 3G represents a significant step for the telecommunications industry as it enables improved customer experiences, facilitates higher data speeds, and prepares the network for future innovations. The company reassures users that those with SIM cards incompatible with 4G can replace them with a USIM free of charge while retaining their current phone numbers.
For customers who have not yet upgraded to 4G, or choose not to, essential mobile services such as voice calls and SMS will remain accessible even after the discontinuation of 3G.
Read more: 2G and 3G in Europe: Challenges and Transitions
Impact on the Network and Future Plans
The shift from 3G to 4G will significantly enhance data transfer speeds, reduce network congestion, and improve overall service reliability. Additionally, the freed-up spectrum may eventually facilitate Kyivstar’s deployment of 5G networks in Ukraine, further modernizing the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.
As part of this transition, Kyivstar has launched an awareness campaign, urging customers to check their devices and SIM cards for 4G compatibility. The company is also working closely with local authorities and businesses to ensure minimal service disruption and a smooth user migration process.