Digital integration with the EU: Ukraine begins clearing the 700 MHz band

EU legislation requires member states and candidate countries to free up the 700 MHz radio frequency band, particularly for the development of 5G. The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine (Mintsyfra) has successfully completed the first phase in the Lviv, Volyn, and Rivne regions, where equipment was upgraded to eliminate spectral interference. This marks a significant step towards launching a 5G pilot and strengthening partnerships with Poland, which is already actively expanding its next-generation network.

“Ukraine is moving towards the European Union not only by implementing EU standards but also by actively contributing to forming a shared digital future. Clearing the 700 MHz band is crucial to full digital integration with the EU. This is not just about meeting technical requirements — we are implementing the vision of a unified digital space where Ukraine is not just a participant but also a contributor, sharing its digital expertise and innovative solutions. Together with our Polish and international partners, we are building a common European digital future,” said Valeriya Ionan, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for European Integration.

To fulfill its obligations to the EU, Mintsyfra collaborated with Polish colleagues and international partners, established a working group, and determined the optimal technical solution — replacing combiners, equipment that merges transmitter signals. Zeonbud LLC, a telecommunications network operator with the necessary infrastructure and expertise, carried out the technical implementation.

“Through this initiative, we support Ukraine in implementing technical solutions that enhance cross-border frequency coordination and digital integration. This strengthens cooperation with European partners and brings Ukraine closer to the EU Digital Single Market,” said María Gastón Betrán, FIAP Technical Institutional Coordinator of EU4DigitalUA.

What has been accomplished?

Since December 2024, preparatory work has been underway, and the first phase was completed on March 20, 2025:

– Transmission station equipment was upgraded in the Lviv, Volyn, and Rivne regions.
– Some interference affecting Poland was eliminated, allowing for uninterrupted 5G use.
– Conditions were created for further frequency clearance across Ukraine.

Next steps

The next phase involves work in the Zakarpattia region to eliminate interference along the borders with Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. Frequency adjustments across the entire country will follow this.

The project was realised with the support of DTA program (USAID) and EU4DigitalUA project which is financed by the European Union and implemented by FIAP.