Following the auction of LTE spectrum in the Ukraine Kyivstar has emerged as the biggest winner.
The auction, organised by the country’s National Commission for State Regulation of Communications and Informatization (NCCIR), raised a total of UAH434 billion (US$204 million) in one-off licence fees. As a result of the auction 2x75MHz of spectrum in the 1800MHz band was awarded to the three leading Ukrainian mobile operators.
The Ukraine’s largest mobile operator Kyivstar was the biggest winner, gaining 2×10MHz via competitive bidding for UAH1.520 billion, and paying UAH1.325 billion for a further 2×25MHz block guaranteed to it prior to the auction (receiving a total 2×35MHz in the 1800MHz band for UAH2.845 billion).
The second largest cellular operator Vodafone Ukraine (owned by Mobile TeleSystems [MTS] of Russia) won 2×5MHz for UAH742 million in the competitive auction, and was guaranteed a further 2×20MHz costing UAH1.325 billion (paying a total of UAH2.067 billion for 2×25MHz of 1800MHz spectrum).
Ukraine’s third-placed mobile player Lifecell (part of the Turkcell group) did not win any blocks in the competitive auction, but was guaranteed 2×15MHz in the 1800MHz band in return for UAH795 million.
All 1800MHz licences are valid for 15 years, nationwide. Earlier this year the same three operators all won 15-year 2600MHz LTE mobile licences – the first 4G concessions awarded in Ukraine.
