The unified group of companies DVL (Datagroup-Volia-lifecell) is continuing the large-scale construction of an energy-efficient gigabit GPON network, a project initiated by Volia in May 2024. Within one year of the project’s existence, high-speed internet access using this advanced technology has been provided to almost 2,900 apartment buildings (297,800 apartments) in five major Ukrainian cities: Kyiv, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Kharkiv, and Dnipro. Additionally, 47,300 homes in other settlements have gained access.
Replacing FTTB and DOCSIS with GPON
As part of this construction, the existing FTTB and DOCSIS technologies are being replaced with GPON. This modernization addresses subscriber demand for high-speed internet access (up to 1000 Mbps), which, with appropriate user equipment, can continue to operate even during power outages. Furthermore, GPON technology is more energy-efficient, allowing the operator to partially reduce electricity costs.
After a pilot program in Kyiv in autumn 2023 and subsequent calculations, the project officially launched in several cities in spring 2024. Network modernization from DOCSIS began in Kyiv, Lviv, and Vinnytsia, while in Kharkiv, it involved replacing FTTB. Despite the challenges faced by technical teams due to constant shelling, connections for 106,300 apartments were successfully provided to residents in Kharkiv during this period. This year, the project also expanded to Dnipro.
GPON Penetration: Up to 60%
The DVL group of companies plans to achieve a GPON penetration of up to 60% in each city undergoing large-scale network modernization. Consequently, in just the first five months of 2025, construction in these cities has covered over 135,100 apartments.
In addition to Kyiv, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Kharkiv, and Dnipro, targeted work is actively underway in 26 other Ukrainian cities. These include Sumy, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, Khmelnytskyi, Rivne, Odesa, Chernivtsi, Lutsk, Ternopil, Truskavets, Ivano-Frankivsk, and other settlements. As of May 2025, over 47,300 homes in these areas have gained access to energy-efficient gigabit GPON internet as part of this construction.
The cities with the largest local coverage so far are:
- Nizhyn (Chernihiv region): 29% of apartment buildings.
- Izium (Kharkiv region): 15% of apartment buildings.
- Dobrotvir (Lviv region): 25% of apartment buildings.
- Kropyvnytskyi: 10% of apartment buildings.
“3-in-1” Offerings
The merger of the DVL group companies in autumn 2024 not only enabled the continuation of the large-scale GPON network construction, leveraging the combined potential of the companies’ technical teams, but also allowed lifecell subscribers to benefit from gigabit network access when subscribing to the new “3-in-1” offer – “Lifeset M” tariff. This package provides mobile communication, home internet, and TV services for only UAH 175 for 4 weeks. This cost-effective offer, providing more advantages to users, aligns with the DVL group’s strategy of offering customers maximum possibilities at an optimal price.
Despite the challenges of wartime, including the constant restoration of destroyed infrastructure due to shelling, the implementation of redundancy for key network nodes to ensure stable operation, and the need to reserve technical team personnel, the modernization and construction of the GPON network continue. The total investment in this project is planned to reach UAH 1.5 billion.
About DVL Group
DVL Group is a telecommunications platform that unites the Datagroup, Volia and Lifecell brands and related companies. In September 2024, NJJ Holding, led by French investor Xavier Niel, completed the acquisition of these companies, creating a new dynamic player in the Ukrainian telecommunications market. The synergy of expertise, experience and infrastructure of the three telecommunications operators provides a full range of communication services: mobile, broadband Internet access (including satellite) and pay TV.
The presence of a tower rental service provider and a company specializing in contact center outsourcing in the DVL Group contributes to high quality of service and efficient investments in network development. The combined Datagroup-Volia-lifecell group opens up new opportunities for private customers and businesses through an expanded portfolio of services and converged services based on IoT, Big Data, artificial intelligence (AI), OTT, IPTV and cloud solutions, among other technologies.
The companies of the group employ more than 5,000 professionals who serve about 14 million customers in the B2C, B2B and B2G segments. They are regularly included in the rankings of innovative companies, best employers, largest investors, leaders of the Ukrainian economy, most sustainable companies, and have received international telecom awards, including Excellence Awards from TM Forum and The Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO).
