Two operators have officially launched 5G testing in Odesa

5G pilot project has officially started in Odesa. Mobile operators have already launched equipment and opened access to the network in certain areas of the city, and data transfer speeds during testing can exceed 1 Gbps.

This was reported by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

Odesa became the next location for scaling the pilot project after Lviv, Borodianka, Kharkiv, and Kyiv. During testing, operators and the state will analyze the operation of equipment in real conditions to prepare networks for a full transition to the fifth generation standard.

The Ministry of Digital Transformation noted that commercial full-scale implementation of 5G should occur after the end of martial law. The current tests allow infrastructure to be configured in advance and its operation checked under various conditions.

Where 5G works in Odesa

Vodafone opened test coverage in the central part of Odesa – in particular in the area of Prymorskyi Boulevard and Derybasivska Street, as well as near Pryvokzalna Square and Kulikovo Pole.

Separately, operators report network operation near Prymorskyi Boulevard, Potemkin Stairs, and adjacent areas.

No additional service activation is required for connection. The subscriber needs a smartphone with 5G support and a compatible SIM card. If the SIM already works in the 4G network, it generally supports 5G as well. The smartphone must also have the corresponding network mode activated.

5G traffic is charged on the same terms as 4G mobile internet, according to the subscriber's current tariff plan.

Hundreds of test stations operate in Ukraine

According to the Ministry of Digital Transformation, 340 5G base stations already operate in Ukraine, and the capabilities of the new standard have been tested by over 3.8 million unique subscribers during pilot trials.

The average speed during tests is about 600-700 Mbps, and in certain locations it exceeds 1 Gbps. Operators recorded even higher peak indicators: Vodafone reported that under load, the maximum speed at its base station approached 2 Gbps.

Vodafone also noted that during previous tests in Lviv, Borodianka, Kharkiv, and Kyiv, over 1.5 million unique customers of the operator connected to the 5G network.

According to the Ministry of Digital Transformation, almost 30% of smartphones used by Ukrainians already support 5G.

In addition to higher speed, the technology is expected to increase the capacity of mobile networks in places with large crowds and partially relieve the existing 4G infrastructure.

Based on materials from: Ministry of Digital Transformation, Vodafone Ukraine, mobile operator