Recently there has been an expansion of the 3G network of one of the largest mobile operators in Ukraine - Kyivstar. 187 settlements joined the coverage with this type of data transfer, including cities such as Mirgorod, Shostka, Yuzhnoukrainsk, Kovel, Konotop, etc. At the moment, Kyivstar’s 3G coverage covers twenty-one Ukrainian regions. And the total number of settlements in which 3G-format is already available is equal to 1,177.
Expansion of 3G network from Kyivstar
In particular, on June 22, 2016 Borislav, Chervonograd, (Lviv region), Konotop, Shostka, Romny (Sumy region) and Ananyev (Odessa region) were connected to the 3G network. In addition, Mirgorod (Poltava region), Kovel (Volyn region), Dubno (Rivne region), Yuzhnoukrainsk (Nikolaev region) and Borschev (Ternopil region) joined the third generation mobile communication technology. In addition to these cities, Kyivstar’s 3G coverage is now also available in 176 villages of different sizes.
In addition, it should be noted that in about 200 settlements, the system of already built networks is being set up and tested. They are being prepared for subsequent launch for commercial use of Kyivstar 3G coverage.
By the way, it will be emphasized that the transition to the use of 3G does not entail any additional financial costs for existing subscribers. The use of the new network is carried out according to the current tariff packages. Users of all tariff plans have the opportunity to use high-speed Internet access without restriction. At the same time, there is no need for any special settings of the telephone or SIM card replacement. The cost of 3G Internet services is similar to the cost of using EDGE technology.
For the first time, information about the imminent implementation of this technology was announced in 2015. Just a year later, Kyivstar was able to offer its customers the special Internet 3G service, which makes it possible to connect to a wireless network at speeds up to 3.6 Mbps (UMTS) or 240 Kbps (EDGE).
Connection Terms
The company offers convenient and profitable options for connecting to Kyivstar 3G. Tariffs will also please old and new subscribers. They will have the opportunity to make an advance payment for a certain period.
When connecting under a contract, you must visit the Customer Service Center or the office of the operator’s dealer. You must have a passport with you. To use the 3G service from Kyivstar on a prepaid basis, it is enough to simply purchase one Internet 3G tariff package. In both cases, the user will need to pay a monthly fee for using the service.
Cost and composition of the starter pack
It will be worth mentioning that from August 14, 2016 the cost of all Kyivstar starter packs, which include a USB modem and a new SIM card, have been reduced to 199 hryvnias. This amount is the first investment in connecting and using a new generation network. By analyzing and comparing the pricing policies of various mobile operators in Ukraine, we can state that this offer of Kyivstar is the most attractive for private users from a financial point of view.
What is the composition of the Internet 3G Starter Pack? It includes the EDGE / UMTS modem ZTE MF100, a SIM card of a mobile operator with an already activated service, a USB cable and user instructions. The software for the modem and other useful and necessary software will be automatically installed the first time you connect the device. All applications are in the internal memory. That is why there is no laser disc in the start-up package.
Voice and Internet tariffs
To date, the modem offered as part of the starter pack allows the user to connect to 2G or 3G. Kyivstar tariffs for these two options are different.
As for the third generation network, one tariff package is installed for it, which includes 600 MB of traffic per month. In this case, the monthly fee will be 50 UAH. In other words, 1 GB of the Internet will cost the subscriber 84 UAH. The price for each megabyte after reaching the prepaid limit will be 15 kopecks.
One feature should be taken into account when connecting to the Kyivstar 3G service. Ukraine, as you know, uses VAT in its tax system. And this tax is indicated in the cost of tariffs. But the price of communication services also includes a mandatory 7.5 percent charge to the Pension Fund of Ukraine, which is not always indicated in prices and offers. Therefore, each mobile user who intends to connect to the network of the Kyivstar mobile operator must remember that he will have to pay an additional 7.5% to the amount indicated on the website or in advertising information. We give an example. When choosing the tariff plan “Internet 1000”, 7.5 hryvnias will be additionally debited from the subscriber’s personal account to the Pension Fund account.
3G in major cities of Ukraine
The Kyivstar company connected one of the largest cities in Ukraine - Kharkov - in the winter of 2016. It became the seventeenth regional center in which this technology was launched. 3G Kyivstar in Kharkov was introduced just a month after the start of system testing.
In another major economic and industrial center of Ukraine, a new data transfer technology was introduced six months before Kharkov. 3G Kyivstar in Dnepropetrovsk was launched back in the summer of 2015. The high-speed data network from this operator is considered the largest in this city and region.
The development of 3G technology in Ukraine
In conclusion, it will be worth mentioning that the 3G Internet technology for Ukraine is quite new and is currently under development. This is due to the rather long process of sharing frequencies and issuing licenses to national operators, which greatly impeded the implementation of advanced technology.
Against this background, the constant expansion of Kyivstar’s 3G coverage inspires some optimism regarding the future of this technology in Ukraine.
Given the above, for many users (especially for those actively traveling around the country) it will be advisable to consider using the Internet EDGE. This option is also suitable for those people who constantly live in the territory not covered by the 3G network. At the same time, it must be emphasized that for the active use of the Internet in the office or at home, 2G capabilities are not enough due to the relatively low data exchange rate. With such an Internet, you can’t play games or watch videos on YouTube.