Page 99 - UKRRptFeb24

9.2.7 TMT corporate news
Kyivstar’s parent company invests $1B in Ukraine. The Dutch company VEON, the parent company of Kyivstar, the largest operator in Ukraine, plans to invest $1B in Ukraine within five years, VEON CEO Kaan Terzioglu said. The company announced plans to invest $600M over three years. "However, we have to start thinking about a five-year perspective and a minimum of $1B in investment during that period," he said. It is noted that, first, investments will go to the restoration of the primary backbone network, data processing centers, and fiber optic infrastructure. These things will enable faster and more efficient deployment of 5G and open technologies in the country. When asked when 5G from Kyivstar might appear in Ukraine, Terzioglu said: "The exact time will depend on many factors, but we have already begun to lay the groundwork for research and development through our international partnerships focused on Open RAN."
An international crypto exchange has started its work in Ukraine. On February 1, the CoinW cryptocurrency exchange announced the start of operations on the Ukrainian market. “We started studying the Ukrainian market a year ago and have decided to start operations," the company said.
A French billionaire will pay $500M for a Ukrainian mobile operator. The French investment company NJJ Capital agreed to pay $500M for the Ukrainian carrier Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS. Turkcell announced the sale of its Ukrainian business, including Lifecell, at the end of 2023. The contract with NJJ Capital was signed on December 29. French billionaire Xavier Niel's telecommunications businesses are already operating in Poland through telecom company Iliad, and the high volume of roaming traffic between the countries means the deal "makes sense," Niel said. He said the price was "cheap" compared to the profits generated by Ukrainian telecommunications operator Lifecell. The deal, which was initially announced in December without specifying a value, is awaiting regulatory review, including clearance from Ukraine's antitrust authority, the French billionaire said.
Nova Poshta, a leading Ukrainian courier and express delivery service company within the Nova group, expanded its operational network across Ukraine, adding 5,000 units in 2023 to reach a total of 27,000 service points, marking a 23% increase, the company's press service announced Interfax Ukraine reported on January 26.
In a year of aggressive expansion, the company inaugurated 2,242 new branches and installed 1,853 additional post terminals. By the onset of 2024, Nova Poshta's comprehensive network is set to comprise 11,460 branches and 15,590 parcel terminals. Notably, 60% of these terminals are strategically located indoors and within residential complexes, while the remaining 40% are situated outdoors.
A significant development in the company's services has been the introduction of PUDO (Pick Up Drop Off) points, strategically located within the premises of existing business partners. These points, designed for sending or receiving pre-paid parcels up to 10 kg, are conveniently located in pharmacies, stores, and gas stations. Notable partnerships include BRSM, Moyo, and Delvi, among others.
99 UKRAINE Country Report February 2024 www.intellinews.com