Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Kyivstar, DoT, GTPL, BSNL, ACES, Eutelsat, among others.
Kyivstar Switches on Ukraine’s First 5G Pilot in Lviv Amid Wartime Challenges
Ukraine’s largest telecom operator Kyivstar has launched its first 5G pilot network in Lviv, marking a significant innovation milestone despite the ongoing war. Developed in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the pilot tests next-generation mobile connectivity in real urban conditions and supports preparations for wider 5G deployment across cities including Kyiv, Odesa and Kharkiv in 2026. The initiative reflects continued investment in advanced digital infrastructure under challenging circumstances, focusing on improving network speed, reliability and service quality for customers with 5G-enabled devices. Lviv was selected due to its strong infrastructure, security conditions and high smartphone readiness, enabling Kyivstar to assess performance, customer experience and scalability before future expansion.
DoT Licence Fee Notice Puts GTPL Broadband’s Internet Revenue Under Scrutiny
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a demand-cum-show cause notice to GTPL Broadband for FY25, questioning whether revenues from Pure Internet Services should be included in licence fee calculations under the Unified Licence framework. GTPL, part of GTPL Hathway, said it will respond to the notice and remains confident in its legal position, citing earlier favourable rulings by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal in similar cases. The company has not made any financial provision in its accounts but has disclosed a contingent liability of about ₹357 crore, highlighting the potential financial exposure as the matter continues under regulatory review.
BSNL Awards Record ₹819 Crore 4G Telecom Orders to K.P. Green Engineering
Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) has awarded ₹819 crore in advance work orders to K.P. Green Engineering for telecom infrastructure under the Government’s 4G Saturation Project, marking a historic contract for the company. The orders cover major regional clusters including Maharashtra, Goa, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, strengthening digital connectivity across urban and challenging terrains. K.P. Green will supply and erect ground‑based towers, install allied equipment as an Infrastructure‑as‑a‑Service provider, and manage operations and maintenance for up to ten years.
Eutelsat Supercharges Global Broadband with 340 New OneWeb Satellites
Eutelsat, the European satellite operator and rival to SpaceX’s Starlink, has ordered 340 additional OneWeb low‑Earth‑orbit satellites from Airbus, bringing its total contracted to 440 to refresh and extend its broadband constellation. This substantial investment, part of a broader €2 2.2 billion programme backed by French and UK government funding, supports service continuity and technology upgrades, including more advanced onboard processing and flexible payload options. Deliveries begin late 2026, helping Eutelsat meet growing global demand for high‑speed, low‑latency connectivity in underserved regions and maintain competitive customer offerings.
Shafana Fazal
