đź“ŤOn May 26, 202 eQualitie. and
InternewsUA brought together local ISPs, telecom companies and the government in Kyiv to answer the question:
How Ukrainian internet has remained resilient even during bombardments / Russian aggressionâť“
The Ukrainian telecom market incurred $2.3B in losses during the initial year of the invasion – data by World Bank.
Still, Ukrainians are connected and mainly have access to broadband internet and mobile across the country.
How is it possible?
Some lessons learned from the private-state partnership in #Ukraine during the war:
▶️ fees were abolished or providers and operators to access electric power infrastructure, saving UAH 800 million
▶️ free frequencies were provided to enhance network capacity for mobile operators
▶️ extra months for expiring licenses of telecommunications companies were granted
▶️ passage through checkpoints during curfew for telecoms employees to conduct network repairs was approved.
▶️ set up a collaboration to deliver equipment within #KeepUkraineConnected campaign
The hashtag became popular within the initial GNA pledge to collect equipment for Ukrainian telecom, later eQualitie joined the call
What were the main risks for ISPs and telecom in Ukraine?
▶️Disruption of equipment and material supply chains
▶️ Anticipating potential banking system failures
▶️ Fuel supply interruptions, exacerbated by long distances required to repair highways
▶️ Mobilization of employees responsible for ensuring the stability of communications.
▶️ Ensuring the physical safety of employees.
▶️ Potential communication disruptions or damage to trunk lines
All risks were mitigated and Ukrainians have lessons learned for the world
Local ISPs, such as Elit-Line, Kramatorsk, Donetsk region share their experience:
We had to work in territories that were mined, and we, had more than 100 km of optical cables damaged
Our income from subscription fees dropped by 40-70% as many local inhabitants fled the region – Mykola Kucheruk of Elit-Line
Nevertheless, local ISPs in Ukraine continue to work and provide services in frontline communities even under the shelling
#ISPs #Ukraine #KeepUkraineConnected #internet #keepiton #rightscon
âś… 100 participants joined the conference "Ukraine: Resilience of Communications and the Internet During War" on May 26, in Kyiv, Ukraine
The goal of the conference was to facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing among Ukrainian ISPs, telecommunications companies, civil society representatives, and government officials.
✏️What should be done to help the industry’s recovery:
▶️ Legislative Assistance: Developing methodologies to determine losses and procedures for cost compensation, providing a legal framework to support the industry’s restoration efforts.
▶️ Administrative Assistance: Prioritizing the restoration of power supply, demining facilities with telecommunications infrastructure
▶️ Financial Assistance: Offering equipment and cable products free of charge through funds and contributions
The last point refers to the international community, while Global NOG Alliance (GNA) and @eq will facilitate the help for Ukraine within #KeepUkraineConnected
Join the conversation on Internet resilience that kicked off during the conference in Kyiv!
How can you help to sustain Ukraine's internet connectivity?
Vitaliy