Telecom

According to IKS-Consulting monthly statistics, number of Ukrtelecom [UTEL UZ, U/R] mobile users increased by 9% MoM to 238.62 thsd clients in March 2008. In the same based on 1Q2009 users pool increased by 47%. Overall number of mobile users decreased by meager 0.36% to 55.48 mln. customers. Level penetration decreased by 0.5% to 120.2%.

In March 2009, the number of Internet users in Ukraine rose 9.4% MoM to reach 11.969 mln unique users, according to a report by the Bigmir-Internet Company, the Internet branch of the Ukrainian KP Media holding.

On March 26, the National Communication Regulation Committee (NCRC) of Ukraine reviewed the current interconnect fee between fixed line and mobile operators.

On March 19, the Ukrainian Parliament rejected the draft law “About changes to additions to several Ukrainian laws regarding providing access to universal telecommunication services”.

In February 2009, the number of Internet users in Ukraine rose 5.1% MoM to reach 10.945 mln unique users, according to a report by the Bigmir-Internet Company, the Internet branch of the Ukrainian KP Media holding.

According to a press release issued by Ukrtelecom [UTEL UZ, U/R], the company ended 2008 with a significant net loss of UAH 1.525 bln (USD 288 mln). Net revenues for the same period decreased by 2.4% to UAH 6,646 bln (USD 1.254 bln.).

According to a press released issued by Ukrtelecom [UTEL UZ, U/R], its number of internet users was boosted by 2.5 times to 513 thsd clients in 2008. In the same period, the number of mobile users increased to 162.7 thsd users. This means that over the past year, Ukrtelecom managed to increase its internet and mobile subscriber pool by 307 thsd and 154.2 thsd clients, respectively.

According to Ministry of Property, all documents for the privatization of Ukrtelecom [UTEL UZ, U/R] are ready.

Ukraine’s giant telecommunications company Ukrtelecom [UTEL UZ, U/R] – the country’s fixed-line incumbent – is going to double interconnection charges for M2F (mobile to fixed line calls) with mobile operators from UAH 0.25 to UAH 0.5 According to company officials, UTEL consider the old contract regarding interconnection fees to already be invalid.

The National Communications Regulation Commission (NCRC) has initiated the process for increasing the ceiling for subscription fees for fixed phone numbers in cities and district centers by 10-20%. The new fee will be UAH 16.44-33.81 per month.