The Ministry of Digital Transformation, together with its partners, has presented for the first time a strategy for the development of electronic communications, which contains specific actions to restore and improve the sector.

“Electronic communications is one of the top priorities of the Ministry of Digital Transformation. This is a crucial area for the comfortable life of people, the functioning of the digital state and warfare, which directly affects our advantage over the enemy. That is why we must do everything possible to ensure that every Ukrainian is connected and to help restore the electronic communications infrastructure. Together with our partners, we have formed a strategy for the effective development of the sector until 2030, which will take into account both the challenges of war and technological trends. What is important is not only our vision, but also a clear action plan for its implementation,” said Mykhailo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development and Minister of Digital Transformation.

The strategy focuses on two main areas: access to sustainable communications and the development of electronic communications as the foundation of the economy. It also defines the measures required to restore and develop the sector in wartime and post-war. These include improving customer services, enhancing public policy, creating conditions for the provision or improvement of mobile communications services and fixed and mobile internet, integrating Ukraine into the EU’s single roaming area, etc.

According to Jeffrey Lehrer, Acting Deputy Director of the USAID Mission to Ukraine, preliminary estimates show that operators are ready to invest six billion dollars over the next seven years, which is a testament to the confidence and commitment of the sector and to Ukraine’s digital future. These investments represent not only financial contributions, but also confidence in Ukraine’s potential, resilience, and vision for a brighter future. USAID is proud to support this strategy not only as a document, but also as a commitment to every Ukrainian that their voices will be heard, their needs will be met, and their future will be brighter through the transformative power of electronic communications.

One of the priorities of the strategy is to promote internet resilience and technology neutrality. Internet resilience becomes crucial in the context of constant attacks on infrastructure, when failures can lead to significant economic and social losses. Therefore, developing mechanisms to ensure the stability and reliability of network infrastructure is a critical need.

According to Stefan Kossoff, Director of Development at the UK Embassy, it is remarkable how the people of Ukraine have adapted quickly to the new environment of continuous attacks and infrastructure destruction and have found short-term solutions to ensure uninterrupted communications, mobile and internet services. However, long-term solutions are also needed. This strategy sets out how the government will mobilise much-needed investment to help rebuild infrastructure and spur innovation. This will restore communication networks in war-affected regions, provide high-speed internet access, expand mobile coverage and increase the competitiveness of Ukrainian companies in the European digital market.

The implementation of the electronic communications development strategy will involve three stages and focus on two main areas: Internet accessibility and development of the electronic communications sector as the foundation of the economy. As a result, the following goals are expected to be achieved:

• connection everywhere and all the time. Regardless of place or time, every citizen will have access to reliable and high-speed electronic communications services;
• Ukraine is in the EU’s Digital Single Market;
• state online services are available to all citizens and allow them to receive online education, use telemedicine and other important public services;
• a foundation for the development of innovations has been created, which will enable Ukraine to become a centre of innovation and technology in Europe. This will contribute to the growth of the startup ecosystem and the development of digital content and e-commerce.

The Ministry of Digital Transformation is now officially announcing the start of public discussions on the strategy, which will last for two weeks. Upon completion, the strategy will be approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. You can read the text of the strategy and join the discussion here (in Ukrainian).

During the event, Mykhailo Fedorov signed a memorandum with representatives of the National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications, Radio Frequency Spectrum and the Provision of Postal Services, Kyivstar, Vodafone Ukraine and Datagroup. The purpose of the memorandum is to join forces to restore and develop electronic communications in Ukraine.

The parties will develop solutions for:

• expanding mobile phone and broadband mobile internet coverage to the population;
• restoration of the electronic communications infrastructure destroyed as a result of hostilities;
• ensuring the functioning of electronic communications during and after wartime.

The Strategy will be monitored and evaluated by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications, other central executive authorities, civil society institutions and international organisations.

The Strategy for the development of electronic communications was created at the initiative of the Ministry of Digital Transformation with the support of the USAID / UK aid Transparency and Accountability in Public Administration and Services (TAPAS) Project in cooperation with the Better Regulation Delivery Office.