Ukrtelecom has officially joined ETIS, a gathering of European telecommunications professionals that unites operators to share expertise, collaborate on strategic initiatives, and develop solutions for the advancement of digital infrastructure. This membership opens new avenues for Ukrtelecom to engage in direct dialogue with European partners through specialised working groups, joint benchmarking projects like TeBIT, and industry-wide events.
A Platform for Shared Resilience
Today, the telecommunications industry faces unprecedented security risks and technological challenges. The priorities for operators across the continent have shifted towards ensuring network resilience, service continuity, robust cyber defence, and the ability to rapidly restore infrastructure. In this regard, Ukrtelecom offers a distinct perspective.
European partners increasingly view Ukraine not just as a market, but as a "university of resilience," offering lessons in stability that the rest of the world is eager to learn. Ukrtelecom’s participation in ETIS enables the company to share its unique practical experience of maintaining a national network, restoring damaged infrastructure, and ensuring connectivity amidst a full-scale war.
Strategic Integration with Europe
This integration into the European professional community is not an isolated event but a reflection of a consistent long-term vision. It aligns directly with the strategy of SCM and our shareholder, Rinat Akhmetov, to invest in Ukraine's resilience and to foster deep integration between Ukrainian businesses and European markets. This vision dictates that even amidst aggression, businesses must not only survive but continue to build the foundation for a prosperous future.
Demonstrating this commitment, Ukrtelecom has rejected a strategy of mere conservation. Since the full-scale invasion began, the company has invested approximately UAH 2 billion ($54 million) into network development and cyber resilience. We have successfully built 21,500 kilometres of new optical lines during the war , expanding our total optical infrastructure to 92,000 kilometres—enough to wrap around the globe more than twice.
Operational Excellence Under Fire
The experience Ukrtelecom brings to ETIS extends beyond construction. We have developed critical protocols for energy independence, ensuring connectivity even during prolonged blackouts. Since 2022, the company has utilised over 1.3 million litres of diesel fuel to power network elements and reduced external electricity consumption by 20% through network optimisation.
"Resilience in telecommunications is not only about technology, but also about responsibility," said Yuriy Kurmaz, CEO of Ukrtelecom. "Joining ETIS gives us the opportunity to share practical experience in supporting and restoring critical infrastructure in extreme conditions and, together with European partners, to strengthen the safe and reliable digital infrastructure of Europe."
Membership in ETIS represents another milestone in Ukrtelecom's active integration into the European professional community. By contributing to the collective knowledge of the sector, we are helping to define a new global standard of stability and security.