
Kyivstar is Ukraine's largest mobile operator, with a rich history dating back to 2000. The company was founded by the Ukrainian conglomerate System Capital Management (SCM) and has since grown to become a leading provider of telecommunications services.
Kyivstar offers a wide range of services, including voice, data, and internet services, as well as value-added services such as mobile financial services and digital entertainment. The company has a strong presence in Ukraine, with a network that covers over 99% of the country's population.
Kyivstar's network is based on a 3G and 4G technology, providing fast and reliable internet access to its customers. The company has invested heavily in its network infrastructure, with over 10,000 base stations across Ukraine.
Veon Regulatory Disclosures
VEON has completed a reorganization ahead of Kyivstar's planned Nasdaq listing. This move is a significant step towards listing Kyivstar on the Nasdaq exchange in New York.
VEON has filed a Form 6-K report, which is a regulatory disclosure related to Kyivstar's listing. This report is required by US securities laws and provides important information to investors.
VEON has also completed a consent solicitation for its 2027 Notes, which received unanimous support from its investors. This is a positive development for VEON's financial stability.
VEON has signed a letter of intent with Cohen Circle to list Kyivstar on the Nasdaq exchange in New York. This partnership will help facilitate the listing process and provide valuable expertise to VEON.
VEON has moved forward with Kyivstar's landmark Nasdaq listing, marking a significant milestone in the company's history. This listing will provide Kyivstar with greater visibility and access to international capital markets.
Leadership and Growth
Kyivstar's leadership has been a key factor in the company's resilience during the full-scale war. CEO Oleksandr Komarov has led the company through this challenging time.
Under Komarov's leadership, Kyivstar is actively developing its infrastructure. This is a testament to the company's commitment to growth and innovation.
Kyivstar is undergoing a transformation from a traditional telecom provider to a full-fledged digital ecosystem. This transformation is a significant step towards the company's future growth and success.
Industry and Technology
Kyivstar is making a significant investment in artificial intelligence. They're working on a Ukrainian-language large language model (LLM) that will be released in December 2025.
This project is a collaborative effort between Kyivstar and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. They're using open-source architectures and training the model exclusively on Ukrainian data sources.
The goal is to create a model that captures the full range of Ukrainian dialects, terminology, history, and cultural context. This will be a valuable resource for sectors like government, defense, healthcare, and financial services.
Sensitive national data will be securely stored and processed within Ukraine, ensuring that it remains protected. This is a major step forward for Ukraine's digital development.
Support and Services
Kyivstar is committed to supporting its subscribers during the war. The company has been providing free mobile and fixed-line services in Ukraine and abroad, as well as access to news and educational resources on the Kyivstar TV platform.
During this challenging time, Kyivstar has also offered bonuses for mobile communication of doctors in war zones. This is a thoughtful gesture that acknowledges the critical role these medical professionals play in keeping people safe.
The company's leadership team is comprised of individuals with exceptional reputations and international experience. This expertise is a testament to Kyivstar's commitment to providing top-notch services to its customers.
Ownership and Structure
Kyivstar's ownership structure is quite complex, but it's owned by the international telecom group VEON, which is based in the Netherlands.
VEON shares are traded on stock exchanges in the USA and the European Union, and thousands of people own shares, including large investment funds from the USA, Great Britain, Italy, and more.
These investors include Exor NV, Shah Capital, Prosperity Capital, Kopernik Global Investors, and many others, but no single shareholder has a majority stake or decisive influence on the company's activities.
In fact, VEON's structure is designed to prevent any one person or group from having control, ensuring that decision-making is distributed among its diverse shareholders.
The VEON Group has taken steps to distance itself from certain individuals, excluding those subject to EU sanctions from its Board of Directors and freezing their financial assets in February 2022.
This move was part of a broader effort to withdraw from the Russian market, which was completed on May 30, 2023, after all necessary legal formalities were finalized.
News and Listings
Kyivstar offers a range of mobile plans to suit different needs, including a prepaid option that allows users to top up their balance as needed.
Kyivstar's mobile plans include varying amounts of data, voice minutes, and SMS messages, so users can choose the one that best fits their lifestyle.
Their prepaid option is a great choice for those who don't use their phone frequently, as it allows them to only pay for what they use.
Kyivstar's mobile plans also include a range of add-ons, such as extra data or international roaming, that users can purchase separately.
Kyivstar's customer service is available 24/7 to help with any questions or issues users may have.
Network and Expansion
Kyivstar has been expanding its network and services to provide better coverage and faster speeds to its subscribers. With a focus on innovation and development, the company has introduced several firsts in Ukraine's telecom market.
Kyivstar was the first company to provide SMS services in Ukraine in 1998, and it also introduced mobile Internet using WAP technology in 2000. This marked the beginning of Kyivstar's journey to modernize the telecom market and develop new mobile technologies.
The company has continued to invest in its network, with the latest equipment supporting 3G, 4G (LTE), and VoLTE communication standards. This investment has paid off, with Kyivstar's network providing high-speed mobile data transmission technologies.
Kyivstar has also been at the forefront of 4G technology development in Ukraine. The company voluntarily donated part of the radio spectrum in the 1800 MHz and 900 MHz bands to the state, allowing all mobile operators to form continuous radio frequency bands. This move gave a significant boost to the development of 4G communication technology in Ukraine.
Kyivstar's network expansion has also enabled the company to provide 5G roaming access to its subscribers. As of now, 5G is available in 15 countries, including Poland, Romania, Italy, Great Britain, and others. This service allows subscribers to use high-speed mobile Internet without any additional configuration or extra costs.
Here is a list of countries where Kyivstar's subscribers can use 5G roaming:
- Poland
- Romania
- Italy
- Great Britain
- Danmark
- Sweden
- Finland
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Estonia
- Iceland
- Vietnam
- Armenia
- Moldova
- Egypt
The expansion of Kyivstar's network and services has had a significant impact on the Ukrainian economy. The company is one of the top 20 largest taxpayers in Ukraine and has provided over 90 billion hryvnias of revenues to the state budget in taxes and mandatory payments.
Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had a significant impact on the country, particularly on Kyivstar, Ukraine's largest mobile network operator. Kyivstar's network was severely affected, with over 70% of its base stations being damaged or destroyed.
Many Ukrainians relied on Kyivstar for communication during the invasion, with the company's network remaining operational in some areas despite the chaos.
The Russian military targeted Kyivstar's infrastructure, disrupting mobile services and internet connectivity for millions of people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kyivstar TV free?
Yes, Kyivstar TV is free to watch online without registration. You can access Ukrainian TV channels without any cost or subscription.
Does Kyivstar work in Poland?
Yes, Kyivstar works in Poland and 26 other countries, offering Roam like at home tariffs with data, call, and SMS options. Check your tariff details for specific benefits and rates.
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