Mission: Stay connected. What will happen to mobile communication and the internet during power outages?

Why does the connection disappear immediately after the power goes out?

80% of internet traffic in Ukraine operates through fixed Wi-Fi networks. However, when the power goes out, phones automatically search for mobile networks. At this moment, the number of mobile network users increases exponentially — more than the network can handle. This increased load affects the quality of mobile internet during power outages.

All networks were designed with stationary power in mind, so during prolonged outages, it is nearly impossible to maintain equipment operation at the same level as under normal conditions, as explained by hromadske in lifecell.

During blackouts, the quality of connection depends on several factors, including:

• The intervals between power outages, as batteries may not fully charge;
• The number of active subscribers within the coverage area connected to a single base station;
• The location of the user;
• The intensity of network usage, meaning the volume of traffic consumption. For example, viewing photos and videos requires more traffic than messaging in chat apps.

How are operators preparing for outages?

According to regulations, by February 1, 2025, operators must equip their base stations to ensure 10 hours of network operation without power, instead of the previous 4 hours.

Starting from October 1, 2024, at least 60% of base stations must operate under this standard. By November 1, this will increase to 70%, by December 1 to 80%, and by the end of January 2025 to 100%.

We asked “Kyivstar,” Vodafone, and lifecell about their preparations for potential blackouts. It turns out they believe that meeting the new requirements on time is simply impossible.

“Kyivstar”

The operator’s press service reported that currently, 60% of the network has four hours of backup power, while 40% has between two to four hours. The company is working on providing six hours of backup power.

As of September 2024, the operator has installed 126,000 new lithium batteries at its base stations, ensuring operation for up to 4 hours. Additionally, 2,300 generators support critical network facilities of “Kyivstar” during power outages.

The operator assures that all critical facilities identified by the NSDC are equipped to maintain communication for at least three days in the event of large-scale blackouts.

Operation of the wired “Home Internet” is supported by 51,000 uninterruptible power supplies, which have been installed in 23,000 apartment buildings.

Currently, “Kyivstar” is implementing the second phase of investments in energy independence for the network: by the end of the year, they plan to purchase over 61,000 new batteries for base stations and 848 industrial generators. The goal is to provide 23-25% of the network with generator operation capability.

lifecell

lifecell reported that they have over 10,000 base stations nationwide. 65% of them are already equipped with backup power sources — generators and lithium batteries that can support base station operation for 4-6 hours.

100% of the “Datagroup-Volia” backbone network can operate during power outages for up to 72 hours.

The company expects to receive several tens of thousands of additional batteries soon. According to specialists' calculations, this amount will be sufficient to ensure network operation for 10 hours without stationary power.

Base stations are also connected to generators. lifecell uses both stationary and mobile generators, as well as partner ones. Thanks to generator power, equipment can be maintained for a long time after battery depletion.

Regarding the timeline for meeting the requirements to ensure network operation for up to 10 hours during outages, it is currently expected that the project will continue until the end of 2025.

Vodafone

The operator states that all their base stations are equipped with backup power and automatically switch to battery power during outages. During planned outages, Vodafone continues to provide both voice and mobile internet services. However, they emphasize that in the case of prolonged blackouts, the duration of operation for each specific base station is influenced by “far more factors than the availability of a certain number of batteries capable of powering the equipment for 10 hours.”

Vodafone supplies its facilities with a new type of batteries. As stated by the company, these are much better suited to harsh operating conditions during prolonged and frequent power outages.

Currently, they have already installed 72,200 battery packs. As a result, the company has 1.5 times more power reserve than at the beginning of 2024. Additionally, they are awaiting the delivery of another 87,900 such batteries.

Vodafone is also actively purchasing generators — they currently have 1,932, which include not only the company’s equipment but also that of partners and clients. In 2024-2025, they plan to purchase an additional 250 stationary and 250 mobile generators.

Why is it hard to “stock up” on electricity?

Equipping all base stations requires significant investment. Throughout the full-scale war, all three operators have invested over 3 billion hryvnias in network autonomy. “Kyivstar” invested 1.4 billion hryvnias, lifecell 1 billion hryvnias, and Vodafone 1.3 billion hryvnias.

According to data from Forbes, purchasing thousands of batteries, generators, and tons of fuel for autonomous operation for 10 hours will cost the three operators over 13 billion hryvnias in investments.

However, it is not just about the money. Mobile operators list a long list of problems they encounter on the way to achieving 10-hour connectivity:

• Permits from regional energy companies. A large amount of electricity is required for fully charging batteries. This requires obtaining permits from regional energy companies for power increase.
• Lack of specialists with the necessary skills. A significant portion of the work is performed by contractors who cannot be exempted from mobilization.
• Generators cannot be installed and operated everywhere. Building regulations prohibit the installation of generators and batteries on the roofs of buildings, where most base stations are located.

• Lack of the required number of batteries and generators on the market, which need to be imported with complicated logistics and long delivery times. The delivery time for batteries is 120-180 days, and installation requires an additional 60-90 days.
• Installing additional batteries at sites requires extra climate cabinets, which need special structures on roofs (loading frames). To carry out this work, new lease agreements must be signed, which is often impossible due to building construction specifics.

Operators explain: any battery needs time to recharge — from 4 to 6 hours. To charge uninterruptible power supplies requires 8 hours.

If the power outages are unpredictable — both in the number of outages per day and in duration — the batteries simply won’t have time to charge.

At “Kyivstar,” they state that the technical specialists responsible for network support start their work at five in the morning and “make every effort to maintain round-the-clock operation of the equipment.”

“However, even with the dedication of the staff, connecting all telecom network facilities to autonomous generation is technically impossible. Therefore, when power outages are large-scale and prolonged, the company must prioritize the power supply of base stations,” the operator's press service states.

How will compliance be checked and what are the penalties?

Whether operators can reach the necessary level of energy supply on time, by February 1, will be checked by the electronic communications regulator — the National Commission for State Regulation of Electronic Communications (NKEK).

As explained by hromadske in the regulator, the inspection occurs in several stages, and if violations are found, NKEK allows the operator to rectify them within a specified timeframe (up to 30 days). A follow-up inspection is then conducted — if violations are found again, NKEK issues a directive for their rectification and allocates additional time for this.

If the situation does not change even after the third inspection, NKEK may impose a fine — from 0.1% to 0.3% of the operator's revenue for the previous year. This means that if a fine is imposed in 2024, its amount will be determined based on the operator's revenue for 2023.

“There is no immediate fine for non-compliance with the requirements. The primary goal of all state supervision measures is to ensure compliance with legal requirements, not to issue fines. The entire process, from the first inspection of the operator to the NKEK's decision to impose sanctions, takes more than six months, but actively motivates operators to meet the