Ukrainian telco Kyivstar has launched a 5G pilot in Lviv, Ukraine.

In an announcement today (January 12), Kyivstar noted that it has created a 5G test zone in the center of Lviv, the first 5G pilot project in the country.

According to Kyivstar, the test zone has been implemented within a framework established by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

5G services are still yet to launch in Ukraine, amid the country's war with Russia, which started in 2022.

The carrier states that the pilot aims to "evaluate the performance of the new technology under real urban conditions."

Kyivstar plans to gradually expand 5G coverage to other Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv and Borodianka, with Kyiv and Odesa planned for 2026, if the pilot is successful. Ukraine's government determined the testing locations, selecting the most populous cities with advanced infrastructure, noted Kyivstar.

However, Kyivstar cautioned that a full-scale 5G rollout will only be possible in the country after the war ends.

“Even in the midst of full-scale war – under constant Russian attacks on infrastructure and during blackouts – Ukraine continues to move forward and expand innovation in the telecom sector," said Mykhailo Fedorov, first deputy prime minister of Ukraine and minister of Digital Transformation.

"The launch of the 5G pilot in Lviv is an important step that we have jointly prepared with mobile operators. Lviv is only the first city. We will soon begin pilots in Borodianka and Kharkiv as well. Our goal is to ensure that Ukrainians stay connected and have access to advanced technologies under any circumstances."

Before launching the pilot, Kyivstar said it carried out extensive preparations across its network infrastructure, including ensuring that the 5G activation would not interfere with military communications.

The first 5G tests carried out by Kyivstar took place in February 2024 at its head office in Kyiv. In Ukraine, 5G will operate in two frequency bands: 3,500 MHz (for high data transmission speeds) and 700 MHz (to ensure wider coverage).

Kyivstar, a subsidiary of Veon, previously launched Starlink's direct-to-cell satellite connectivity service for its customers in Ukraine back in November. In doing so, Ukraine became the first European country to switch on Starlink's direct-to-cell.

The telco is Ukraine's largest mobile network operator, serving close to 24 million customers.

In 2024, Veon increased its investment in the carrier to $1 billion for the period between 2023 and 2027.

By the end of this year, Kyivstar wants to cover 98 percent of the population with 4G coverage.