Ukrtelecom

History

The company was created from the Soviet network of communication only in 1993, however, the network itself came under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Communications in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. According to the company's history, the phone-telegraph communication network in Ukraine before 1991 was only sixth within the Soviet Union and was noticeably backward. All communications outside the Soviet Union was conducted through the Moscow's headquarters. In 1991 there were 7,630 thousands numbers listed, averaging 14.6 numbers for 100 residents.

In 1993 the government confirmed the complex program for creation of the single national system of communication in Ukraine. For the purpose of more effective managing of the industry, it was fully reorganized. Based on the government enterprises two main industrial unions were created: Ukrposhta and Ukrelektrozviazok. The latter was changed in 1994 to Ukrtelekom.

Ukrtelekom upon its creation consisted of seven enterprises and organizations: Ukrtek (Ukrainian enterprise of international and intercity communication and television), Kyiv telegraph, Kyiv city radio broadcasting network, Center of informational technologies, State Institutes "Ukrzviazokproekt", "Dniprozviazok", "Zakarpattelekom".

In January 1995 to Ukrtelekom were merged other 22 oblast networks as well as the Crimean republican and Sevastopol city communication enterprises. And by the end of the year "Ukrzviazoksuputnyk" was also added to the union. By January 1996 the union absorbed the last enterprise "Dniportelekom".

The union, however, was not as effective as it was thought it should have been and in 1998 Ukrtelekom was restructured to form a single entity out of the union of some 35 state enterprises. By the end of 1999 all the enterprises were reformed into stock associates of the Ukrtelekom company.

In 2009, Ukrtelecom introduced a new logo for the first time in 18 years since 1991, and were at the same time changing its corporate identity. It was reported that the rebranding cost an estimated $100,000 and was ordered in Britain.

The Ukrainian government planned to privatize the company as early as March 2009. On 12 October 2010, the first Azarov government announced the date and starting price for selling Ukrtelecom. Bidding took place on 28 December 2010, with the starting price of all government shares at ₴10.5 billion. Companies with over 25% of shares owned by government or government establishment were announced not eligible for the bidding. Also, the companies whose market share in communications in the country exceeds 25% were announced non-eligible either.

The sole bidder at the auction was Ukrainian-registered ESU, a cellular network builder and subsidiary of EPIC Invest, an Austrian-based investment company, which offered to pay the starting price of ₴10.5 billion. ESU then sold this 92.79% stake in Ukrtelecom to System Capital Management of Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov.

Operations

Public Joint Stock Company Ukrtelecom is one of the largest telecom operators in Ukraine, offering customers in every region virtually the full range of modern telecommunications services. As an infrastructure provider, Ukrtelecom concentrates on expanding its high-speed fiber-optic internet network and, in recent years, has been replacing copper lines with fiber. By early 2021 the company's broadband network covered 3,322 settlements and more than 2,000 local communities, with medical and educational institutions connected to its fiber backbone.

Ukrtelecom is also among the sector's biggest taxpayers and employers.

In 2023, the company maintained network operations in approximately 90 percent of the settlements served prior to the full-scale Russian invasion. It also restored connectivity in de-occupied areas, expanded fiber infrastructure, and delivered several infrastructure projects to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces, government bodies, businesses, and the general public.

In 2024, Ukrtelecom continued to provide telecommunications services to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, government agencies, businesses, social infrastructure facilities, and the general public across the country. Before the full-scale Russian invasion, the corporation maintained internet service availability in 90% of the communities covered by its network, despite the difficult circumstances. Ukrtelecom made timely tax payments, made significant investments in the expansion of the optical network, improved cybersecurity, and supported the Ukrainian Defense Forces.