Ukraine: the French telecoms sector in the ranks to rebuild the networks

Cyberattacks but especially bombs and shells do not spare the telecom networks in Ukraine. While the fighting against the Russian army is still going on but the country has just obtained 60 billion dollars in international aid for its reconstruction, the French telecom sector does not want to miss the opportunity to export its know-how. TO DO.

According to our information, the Infranum federation, which brings together French telecom network specialists, will defend its proposal this week before the Ukrainian executive, during a videoconference meeting with Valeriya Ionan, the deputy minister in charge of digital transformation. “It is not a question of playing the predators, especially in this context, but of carrying out a French collective project so that Ukraine can rebuild itself”, ures Philippe Le Grand, the president of Infranum.

International aid fund

Fifteen French telecom companies – but none of the major operators for fear of the risk of corruption – are in the running to rebuild and modernize fixed and mobile networks. From the design office to specialists in the resale and installation of European equipment, the idea is to support this effect by taking equity stakes in their local counterparts, undervalued due to the war. Some will ask to take advantage of international aid funds for Ukraine. If the plan materializes, these investments would be accompanied by a transfer of skills.

To convince, Infranum boasts the almost complete deployment of fiber optics in France. Like Germany – where 35% of fiber sockets have been connected by French companies to date – international markets are now a growth driver. As such, Ukraine has something to seduce even if a large part of the largest country on the European continent has already been fibred.

“Stolen or broken equipment”

“About 22% of the fiber optic network was destroyed or damaged at the start of the conflict. In the occupied and then reconquered areas, a lot of equipment has been stolen or broken,” describes Olena Lutsenko, regional director of the wholesale operator Retn in Ukraine. Infranum estimates the reconstruction and modernization of telecom networks at “about 10 billion euros” but hopes for help from Bercy to subsidize a more precise diagnosis.

Infranum claims to be able to count on tax exemption systems put in place by Ukraine. The country is clearly opening the door to foreign investors in telecoms. “Ukraine is the best testing ground for any innovative solution, and companies that have been able to exploit this opportunity in times of war will certainly have a competitive advantage over others,” an official said last April at a conference. to Madrid.

Infranum’s meeting with the government representative should make it possible to discuss other regulatory issues. In particular questions of access to mobile frequencies or access to telephone poles and other underground conduits.

Competitors on the lookout

But Infranum is not alone in eyeing the Ukrainian market. In London, a few days ago, the Dutch operator Veon announced that it was going to invest 600 million dollars over three years to extend the 4G network of its subsidiary Kyivstar.

However, the Dutch offer raises questions since Veon will rely on Chinese equipment from Huawei and ZTE, the same equipment become undesirable in the European Union that Ukraine would like to join… “The Ukrainians are fighting for their independence, it is not to then lose their digital sovereignty”, wants to believe Philippe Le Grand.

In London, the British groups Vodafone and BT have also announced their intention to help rebuild Ukraine.