Mobile telecommunications in Ukraine

Almamoori3 сказав(ла):

So what? Here we will speak only on English? ;-)

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Ukraine’s telecommunication market is way behind those of other developed countries, and won’t catch up with them any time soon, according to Kyivstar CEO Peter Chernyshov.

But speaking during a panel discussion at the Lviv IT Arena conference on Oct. 1 on the future for mobile carriers in the country, Chernyshov said being among the last in the race had some benefits – as Ukraine could see the typical mistakes made before by more developed countries, and, hopefully, avoid them.

“We’ve seen a lot of examples of epic fails,” Chernyshov said. “We’re way behind, so we have a great opportunity to avoid all these mistakes.”

At the same time, the Kyivstar head said that nobody can really predict how exactly technology will change the way the mobile communications business will work, especially in Ukraine.

“Our market is completely wrong,” he said. “In the rest of the world, SMS is a dying business, while it’s still growing in Ukraine. And we make good money on that.”

According to Chernyshov, over the years of Kyivstar’s existence, the company has paid over Hr 47 billion to Ukraine’s budget. Its client base is currently 25.4 million people.

But he thinks there is still room for growth. He said all of the technologies the company uses are either obsolete or old, or only relatively new.

For a substantial part of the discussion Chernyshov talked about the importance of telecom operators collecting and using big data in Ukraine, where 99 percent of the mobile market is pre-paid. That means that almost all customers are anonymous to providers: nobody knows how many customers throw away their old SIM cards and which mobile numbers are free for use.

He said the big data collected by tech professionals could help detect clients’ behavior more precisely and improve the way telecom operators run their business.

Underlining the significance of 3rd generation mobile networks for telecom providers, Chernyshov said that despite Ukraine not having any fast-speed mobile internet only a year-and-a-half ago, now it’s “running like tap water.” While everyone now expects high-speed mobile internet, access relies on the services of the largest providers, Kyivstar, Vodafone Ukraine and lifecell.

“But if all three operators have an accident, you will be really crying,” Chernyshov said.

Closing the panel, an ill-tempered sounding Chernyshov asked the audience to keep silent: “I don’t need your applause. Please call abroad with Kyivstar – money’s better than applause.”

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There are several companies serving cellular connection providing cellular service in Ukraine:

• Kyivstar
• Vodafone / MTS / Yezzz!
• lifecell
• 3Mob
• Intertelecom (CDMA 800)
  [*]PEOPLEnet (CDMA 800) {almost dead and useless for foreigners}
  

Network coverage:

3G coverage map

How to set up cell phone service:
There are two basic forms: "contract" and "prepaid." As the name suggests, contractual service involves signing a contract committing you to pay a certain monthly minimum (which can be very low).{Redundant. Almost anywhere in the world there are contract and prepaid cellular services}

The most unexpensive inexpensive way to stay available for calls in Ukraine with your cell phone supporting standards GSM 900, GSM 1800 or UMTS 2100 GSM 900, GSM 1800 or UMTS 2100 standards is to get a prepaid mobile package starter kit. The package starter kit contains a Sim-card - a chip to plug into the phone and a manual. You can simply add funds to your cell phone account by purchasing new vouchers/scratch cards.

Prepaid package starter kits can be purchased in every shop selling mobile phones or at stands selling mobile prepaid cards. {as well as supermarkets and newspaper kiosks}

If your operator works in one of the mentioned above standards, most probably you will be able to use your cell phone in Ukraine as well for both domestic and international calls. If your phone is carrier unlocked and supports the mentioned above standards, most likely you will be able to use it in Ukraine with local SIM cards. Please, find all details from your local cellular provider. All incoming calls, regardless of the operator are free.

It is possible to put more credits on your mobile phone You can refill your account not only by buying scratch cards from the stands{???} (you could get a SIM card (prepaid package) from the stands{???} as well), press kiosks or at the shops, butand also by using pay machines {refill terminals?}. They are easy to use, but usually they take up to 1 hrivnia commission percent. Also recharging of account by payment card Visa and MasterCard a Visa or MasterCard payment card is available through internet services: Portmone, EasyPay or WIDE:UP {or carrier websites}.

How to call to Ukraine from abroad:
Dial international access code in your country, then dial 380 (international code of Ukraine) + city code + city number (+380XXYYYYYYY).
For calls within Ukraine, dial 0, wait for the tone, and then dial the city code and telephone number.

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