KYIV, Ukraine, Jan. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kyivstar (Nasdaq: KYIV; KYIVW), Ukraine's leading digital operator, has launched a 5G test zone in the historical center of Lviv, Ukraine. This marks the company’s first local pilot 5G project, implemented within a framework established by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. The goal of the pilot project is to evaluate the performance of the new technology under real urban conditions. Following a successful evaluation, Kyivstar will gradually e ...

Core Insights - VEON's subsidiary, Kyivstar, has launched a 5G test zone in Lviv, marking its first local pilot project in Ukraine [1] - The pilot aims to assess network performance in urban conditions, with plans for gradual expansion to other cities like Kharkiv and Borodianka, and later Kyiv and Odesa in 2026 [2][3] - Kyivstar is investing USD 1 billion from 2023 to 2027 to enhance Ukraine's connectivity and digital infrastructure, including 5G and other advanced technologies [5][8] 5G Pilot Project - The 5G pilot in Lviv is a collaborative effort with the Ukrainian government, focusing on populous cities with existing infrastructure [3][4] - Full-scale 5G rollout will be considered post-war, while Kyivstar continues to enhance its 4G network, achieving peak speeds over 1 Gbps in some areas [3][4] - The 5G network in Ukraine will operate on two frequency bands: 3500 MHz for high speeds and 700 MHz for broader coverage, with peak download speeds exceeding 2.4 Gbps during testing [6] Company Commitment and Strategy - Kyivstar's CEO emphasized the company's role in driving digital transformation in Ukraine, including partnerships for satellite connectivity [5] - The company has conducted extensive preparations to ensure 5G activation does not interfere with military communications, having previously tested 5G in February 2024 [5] - Kyivstar's investments are aimed at supporting Ukraine's recovery and enhancing digital services, including a sovereign Ukrainian language model [5][8]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant improvements in the lives of rural residents in the Huizhou region, driven by the efforts of Huizhou Mobile to enhance communication infrastructure and services, thereby bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas [2][11]. Group 1: Communication Infrastructure Development - Huizhou Mobile has invested a total of 65 million yuan in the "Two Mountains" area to improve communication services, focusing on signal coverage, broadband access, and line rectification [2]. - The company initiated a signal enhancement campaign, planning to build 153 new base stations, including 70 4G and 83 5G stations, resulting in a 19.3% year-on-year increase in base station scale [5]. - The region has achieved 100% 5G/4G signal coverage in administrative villages, with over 95% coverage in natural villages, raising the overall coverage rate to 98% [5]. Group 2: Broadband Access and Digital Life - Huizhou Mobile invested 30 million yuan to lay optical cables in 1,720 natural villages, enabling 85,000 households and 350,000 villagers to access stable broadband networks [7]. - The company has developed a special plan to ensure that the remaining 12 extremely remote natural villages achieve fiber optic coverage by the end of October, aiming for "broadband access in every village and network in every household" [7]. - The extension of fiber optic networks has supported the development of rural e-commerce, smart agriculture, and rural tourism, with a 30% year-on-year increase in orders for local agricultural products [8]. Group 3: Line Rectification and Safety - Huizhou Mobile has invested 35 million yuan in line rectification, completing 218 kilometers of main road and 289 villages, removing 129 kilometers of old poles and 418 kilometers of old cables [9]. - The company has implemented an innovative model for line rectification, allowing for shared resources and coordinated construction, which has reduced costs and avoided repeated construction [9]. - The improvements in line aesthetics and safety have enhanced the environment, attracting more tourists and supporting the development of the local tourism industry [9]. Group 4: Future Plans and Community Impact - Huizhou Mobile aims to continue its efforts in network construction and service optimization, guided by party building, to ensure that more urban and rural residents benefit from digital development [11]. - The initiatives undertaken by Huizhou Mobile are seen as a pathway to achieving common prosperity and enhancing the quality of life for rural residents [11].

Core Viewpoint - The Jiangsu Provincial Communication Administration is implementing a "signal upgrade" initiative to enhance mobile network quality across 28,000 key locations by the end of October, focusing on critical scenarios such as tourism and major events [1][3] Group 1: Initiative Details - The "signal upgrade" action targets 10 categories of key scenarios, aiming for completion by the end of October [1] - Measures include increasing signal source equipment and upgrading to 5G-A networks to improve mobile network quality [1] Group 2: Evaluation and Results - A previous evaluation of 3,927 locations across six categories showed a dual compliance rate (both 4G and 5G coverage and speed meeting standards) exceeding 99% [3] - Since the start of the "signal upgrade" initiative, telecom companies in the province have invested a total of 4.93 billion yuan, added 15,000 signal sources, and constructed 32,000 new 5G base stations and 11,000 new 4G base stations [3]