The National Center for Telecom Network Management (NCM) plans to relax requirements for mobile operators regarding operation during blackouts.
The National Center for Telecom Network Management (NCM) plans to relax requirements for mobile operators regarding operation during blackouts.
According to Forbes Ukraine, instead of the current 10 hours of communication during power outages, operators will be required to ensure network operation for only six hours.
«The draft of a new order regarding the requirements of the National Communications Commission for operators is undergoing final discussions,» the publication quotes Denis Pozdnyakov, an advisor to the head of the Ministry of Digital Affairs on electronic communications. He does not disclose the details of the new decision.
Currently, the NCU Resolution obliges mobile operators to equip 100% of base stations with generators and batteries by February 1, 2025, guaranteeing 10 hours of uninterrupted network operation during blackouts. Also, by December 1, 2024, operators must ensure uninterrupted operation for 72 hours at 25% of their base stations.
The regulation also affects fixed internet providers. They were required to equip 95% of their network with generators and batteries by December 1, 2024, which should ensure uninterrupted operation of home internet for 72 hours.
The NCU’s order was decided to be changed so that operators could fulfill the license conditions for the frequency ranges allocated to them, says Pozdnyakov.
The terms of their use provide for coverage of small settlements and international and national highways. In case of failure to comply, the telecom regulator may revoke the licenses. «This is a compromise — the state can slightly soften the requirements so that operators have the resources to build coverage on the roads,» says Pozdnyakov.
Despite the planned reduction in requirements for operators, there will be no systemic communication problems in the event of power outages in the summer, Pozdnyakov is confident. «There may be occasional cases when the load on individual base stations will increase sharply and some subscribers will not have access to the Internet,» he adds.
To avoid this, the Ministry of Digital Affairs is considering about 30 options, but no decision has been made yet. «But these requirements will be relevant even after the war,» says Pozdnyakov. «Restoring the energy system is a matter of many years.»
