Ukraine's largest mobile network operator, Kyivstar, has discontinued the outdated 3G radio technology in 17 cities, resulting in a 62% average increase in mobile internet speeds, according to the company's press release.

Kyivstar has been testing the reallocation of the 2100 MHz radio frequency spectrum, previously used for 3G, and is now repurposing it for 4G. As part of this project, the 3G technology has become temporarily unavailable. Testing in these 17 Ukrainian cities yielded surprising results, with significant improvements in mobile internet speeds using 4G technology, the company said on September 20.

The average increase in mobile internet speed reached 62%, with notable jumps such as 63% in Sumy, 42% in Kolomyia, 46% in Lutsk, and 64% in Nizhyn. The experiment involved about 6% of Kyivstar's customers.

This project is part of preparations for launching 5G technology in Ukraine. An essential step in this process is freeing up frequencies from outdated technologies like 2G and 3G, the company said.

Kyivstar and other mobile operators in Ukraine are implementing the 3G Sunset program, which aims to shut down 2G and 3G networks to free up frequency bands for 4G and 5G technologies. The first cities where Kyivstar conducted these tests were Sumy and Kolomyia, and the replacement of outdated technologies with modern ones is expected to continue until the end of 2025.

Previously, Kyivstar's president, Oleksandr Komarov, explained that the 2100 MHz frequency range (1935-1950/2125-2140 MHz) was allocated for 3G technology. Due to martial law, the entire industry has been granted the ability to use these frequencies for LTE (Long-Term Evolution), the fourth-generation (4G) wireless communication standard that offers significantly higher network capacity and speeds compared to 3G.

Komarov expressed hope that after the auction for three mobile communication frequency bands, scheduled for November 11, the 2100 MHz frequency would officially be neutral, allowing it to be used for LTE technology.

Kyivstar also noted that as of now, 56% of European mobile operators have already abandoned 3G, with another 42% expected to follow suit by 2025.