The French federation of professionals in the telecommunications infrastructure sector, InfraNum, has signed an agreement with Ukraine to rebuild and modernize its network.
The project builds upon InfraNum’s previous efforts to secure financial assistance for Ukraine’s telecoms sector. The federation successfully obtained a €756,000 grant through the French FASEP program (Study and Aid Fund for the Private Sector) in February 2024.
The initiative comes as Ukraine grapples with significant damage to its communications infrastructure. The destruction of telecommunication infrastructure has had a crippling effect on Ukraine.
According to a press release from InfraNum, Ukrainian officials estimate that between 15% and 20% of the network has been destroyed, translating to roughly 3,200 telecommunications stations and over 60,000 kilometers of optical fiber. The financial cost of this damage is estimated at $2.3 billion. This has led to widespread internet outages, hindering access to essential information and services.
Several international organizations, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), have called for increased support for Ukraine’s telecommunications sector. The ITU, commissioned in April 2022 to assess the damage, estimates that $1.79 billion is needed to restore the sector.
According to the ITU’s interim assessment report, direct damage to telecommunication facilities is estimated at US$0.71 billion. The report, which covers the period from the war’s beginning to August 2022, found significant destruction of infrastructure in over 10 Ukrainian regions. The eastern part of the country has suffered the heaviest losses.
The war has also hampered network expansion plans, with CAPEX (capital expenditures) for new broadband infrastructure dropping significantly. Additionally, cyberattacks targeting Ukraine’s IT and telecommunications sectors have added to the challenges.
Prior to the war, Ukraine was known for its thriving ICT and digital ecosystem. With over 4,000 local ICT companies, one of the largest 4G networks in Europe, and the fourth-highest number of certified tech professionals globally, Ukraine is highly digital. In 2020 approximately 80 percent of the population had access to the internet. The ICT workforce is dominated by young, driven, business-oriented, and tech-savvy professionals who are keen to develop the sector into the main driver of the Ukrainian economy.
The agreement between InfraNum and Ukraine leverages the expertise of InfraNum’s members, who collectively generate €32 billion in overseas revenue and employ over 100,000 people internationally. This international experience positions InfraNum well to support Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.
The agreement outlines an initial eight-month pilot project, serving as the first phase of a potentially larger undertaking. French business newspaper Les Echos reports that the full project could span fifteen years and involve a total investment of €10 billion.
This initial phase will focus on a comprehensive assessment. InfraNum will conduct a technical, institutional, and legal inventory of the Ukrainian telecoms landscape. Additionally, the project will involve establishing “very high speed” internet access in a location situated at a safe distance from the active war front.
The successful reconstruction of Ukraine’s telecom network is crucial for the nation’s recovery. Re-establishing communication infrastructure will facilitate critical activities such as coordinating relief efforts, maintaining essential services, and reconnecting Ukrainians with loved ones. InfraNum’s involvement brings significant expertise and resources to this vital undertaking.
