{
  "id": 1498347,
  "title": "Kyivstar and Ukrtelecom start cooperation in joint use of telecommunications infrastructure",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/kyivstar-and-ukrtelecom-start-cooperation-in-joint-use-of",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-17T14:21:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Interfax-Ukraine",
    "slug": "interfax-ukraine",
    "url": "https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/telecom/1193766.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kyivstar, Ukraine's mobile operator, has partnered with Ukrtelecom, the country's fixed-line operator, to collaborate on the Open Access model. This agreement allows both operators to utilize a portion of their respective networks, starting in the Odesa, Vinnytsia, and Kirovohrad regions. According to a press release, Kyivstar plans to offer home internet services and access to its digital ecosystem via Ukrtelecom's energy-independent GPON network. In return, Ukrtelecom will supply optical internet services using Kyivstar's extensive branched optical network on an open market basis.\n\nThe CEO of Ukrtelecom, Yuriy Kurmaz, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating that it will serve as a catalyst for the Ukrainian telecom market's growth. Kyivstar's President and CEO, Oleksandr Komarov, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the model's potential to expedite access to high-quality optical internet and optimize the utilization of existing infrastructure.\n\nEach operator will maintain autonomy in establishing their tariff policies, commercial conditions, and service support. The network owner will be responsible for the operation and technical support, while the exchange of technical data necessary for network access will be limited to essential information. The collaboration is expected to be expanded to other regions across Ukraine in the future.\n\nSince January-June 2026, Ukrtelecom's total revenue grew by 12.6% year-over-year, reaching UAH 2.78 billion, while EBITDA increased by 50%, exceeding UAH 810 million. The company employs over 95,000 individuals and has continued to modernize its infrastructure nationwide. Meanwhile, Kyivstar's EBITDA profit grew by 21.1% in Q2 2026 to UAH 8.3 billion, with revenue increasing by 27% to UAH 14.9 billion. The net profit for the same period rose by 36.1% year-over-year to UAH 7.1 billion in UAH and 28.8% year-over-year to $162 million. Notably, Kyivstar's subscriber base declined by 2.8% in the same period, standing at 21.8 million.",
  "summary": "Kyivstar, the mobile operator of Ukraine, together with the fixed-line operator Ukrtelecom have started cooperation on the Open Access model, which provides for the use of part of the networks of both operators and will be carried out at the first stage in Odesa, Vinnytsia and Kirovohrad regions.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}