REUTERS
Ukraine's National Commission for State Regulation of Communications and IT has issued a copy of a license to the domestic mobile operator 3Mob for mobile telephone communications services for Lycamobile Ukraine of Lycamobile, the world's largest mobile virtual network operator (MVNO).
The decision was made by the commission at its Tuesday meeting.
"LLC 3Mob has been given a copy of a license for providing mobile telephone services with the right to operate and service telecommunications networks and grant the use of telecommunications channels throughout Ukraine to the telecoms provider Lycamobile Ukraine throughout Ukraine," the commission said.
Read alsoUkrtelecom stops operations in occupied DonbasLycamobile in turn announced on July 11 it had been granted an MVNO license in Ukraine with plans to launch services in the region imminently, in partnership with national telecoms operator Ukrtelecom and its mobile vehicle 3Mob.
"This development is another step towards expanding Lycamobile's global network presence to 22 countries worldwide and extending its reach in Eastern Europe, following the successful launch of Lycamobile Macedonia last year," the company said in a press release.
Lycamobile will be bringing its services to Ukraine in partnership with 3Mob, the mobile subsidiary of the largest national telecom operator Ukrtelecom. 3Mob introduced Ukraine's first 3G network, and on launch, Lycamobile customers will have access to the operator's extended coverage map across the country.
Read alsoUkraine's telecoms sector sees 10.7% rise in revenue in 2016, to $2.3 bln"With millions of Ukrainians living abroad, the upcoming launch will offer customers the opportunity to take advantage of Lycamobile's low-cost service to keep in touch with friends and family and connect with their loved ones around the world and at home. Lycamobile's domestic product offering will prove highly competitive, providing Ukrainians with value for money bundles offering high amounts of calls, texts and data," the press release said.
"As one of the most important markets in Eastern Europe, we look forward to helping Ukraine's growing and active customer base to connect with their loved ones both at home and abroad," Lyca Group Chairman Allirajah Subaskaran said.
Lycamobile plans to expand its product offering to the region in the coming weeks.
Yuriy Kurmaz, CEO of Ukrtelecom, added: "This partnership with Lycamobile, which will provide customers with access to Ukrtelecom's significant 3G coverage in Ukraine, creates a new opportunity for 3Mob. Existing barriers on calls between networks and the significant market power of Ukraine's largest mobile operators has historically limited the development of the country's smaller operators. Through this partnership with Lycamobile, a strong international player, Ukrainians will now have access to low cost data, calling and texting services, a considerable move towards removing communications barriers for customers in the region."
Ukraine has one of the most developed telecommunications markets in the region, with approximately 144 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, meaning many of the country's 42.5 million population have more than one mobile SIM.
UNIAN memo. U.K.-headquartered Lycamobile was founded in 2006. It serves 15 million customers globally across five continents. It launches low-cost calling, messaging and data services in new markets, including Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia.