Military mobile operator. Why Ukraine is creating a separate communications network for the Armed Forces

The Ukrainian authorities are establishing a military mobile phone operator – a secure network that will ensure communications at the front even in the event of a Starlink shutdown. How will the new system change the situation on the battlefield?

Communications in wartime mean the ability to command units, see the situation on the battlefield in real time and carry out precise strikes. To a significant extent, the Ukrainian army has maintained these capabilities for almost four years thanks to the Starlink satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk's company.

Over four years of the full-scale war, the relationship between the Ukrainian military and this service has gone through various stages, from enthusiasm to crisis. Recently, the situation appears stable, at least against the backdrop of reports that satellite communications have ceased to function for Russian forces in the occupied territories.

Despite this, both the military and the government understand that even with a working relationship with SpaceX, the state must have backup solutions. This is not about replacing Musk's creation, but about establishing an alternative that, in the event of a Starlink shutdown, would not lead to a critical loss of communications at the front and would at least mitigate the consequences.

One possible option is the development of a military operator – a separate secure mobile communications network for the needs of the armed forces. It appears that certain elements of such a system already exist, but for now they operate locally and do not have a large-scale impact.

In light of recent decisions on the allocation of radio frequencies, Ukraine has likely moved closer to being able to deploy a mobile network for the defence forces. What could it change, why is it not a panacea, and how might it affect the battlefield?

Allocation of frequencies for the Armed Forces of Ukraine

On 29 January, Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation submitted to the National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications, Radio Frequency Spectrum and Postal Services (NCEC) a draft amendment to the radio frequency allocation plan. This document determines who may use communications frequencies in Ukraine and on what terms.

The NCEC approved the draft without comments. The document must now be considered by the Cabinet of Ministers (Ukrainian government). According to Dev.ua, the amendments provide for the allocation of 30 MHz in the 703-733/758-788 MHz bands for the introduction of 5G. This resource should be sufficient for three licences of 10 MHz each for mobile operators if they take part in a tender. The development of these frequencies is expected in the second half of 2026.

In addition, the draft provides the possibility for the Armed Forces of Ukraine to create private secure 4G/5G networks. The explanatory note refers to the experience of NATO armies, which use such networks to exchange multimedia information in real time, including video, voice messages and telemetry. It is noted that this increases situational awareness and enables more effective command and control of troops.

The document provides for the use of encryption and specialised security protocols that prevent signal interception. The explanatory note also emphasises that reliable communications are critically important for coordinating the actions of the defence forces and the General Staff under martial law.

Read more: Satellite blackmail: What if Starlink is shut down in Ukraine?

Ekonomichna Pravda's sources in the telecommunications market said that the state intends to create a military operator that would provide communications within a zone of up to 30 km from the line of contact, where civilian operators operate only to a very limited extent.

It appears that the regulatory model is being designed to allow the deployment of isolated 4G/5G networks for defence purposes. Ekonomichna Pravda approached the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Digital Transformation to clarify the rationale behind creating such networks and to establish whether the amendments mean preparations for launching a separate military operator.

The Ministry of Digital Transformation stated that representatives of the General Staff had approached it with a proposal to provide for the possibility of introducing LTE and 5G mobile communications systems in the interests of the defence forces.

Telecommunications expert Roman Khimich says there are two scenarios for deploying a military operator. The first is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). In that case, the military would use infrastructure belonging to regular operators. They would receive separate SIM cards, could have traffic priority and special security settings, but the network itself would remain civilian.

The second is the creation of an isolated network, with its own infrastructure, a separate frequency resource and its own network core. Such a system could be deployed, for example, in a combat zone. This is a significantly more complex and costly scenario, but it provides full control and minimises dependence on commercial operators.

The Ministry of Digital Transformation added that all issues relating to the direct organisation of communications for the military, the choice of model (separate infrastructure or virtual operator) and the strategic objective of the project fall within the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff.

As an Ekonomichna Pravda source in the telecommunications market notes, the more likely option appears to be the creation of a separate network based on a private telecommunications company, whose name Ekonomichna Pravda is not disclosing for security reasons. However, Ekonomichna Pravda has learnt that the state has asked representatives of the "big three" mobile operators [Kyivstar, Vodafone Ukraine and lifecell – ed.] to participate in implementing the project, in particular in the supply of base stations.

Why the military needs LTE

The issue of using LTE communications in the military is not new. It is mentioned as one of the alternatives or supplements to Starlink satellite internet. In many units, 4G networks make it possible to organise internet access relatively quickly, but this model is tied to base stations belonging to mobile operators.

4G is a generation of mobile communications, meaning the general standard of network speed and capabilities following 3G, while LTE is the technology that implements this standard.

For 4G communications to function at the front, a mobile signal source is required (operator coverage), equipment to receive it (usually a 4G modem), an antenna directed towards a base station, and the ability to distribute internet access within the unit. The antenna must be oriented towards the nearest Ukrainian operator base station. Such equipment kits are already available for open purchase.

"By its nature, LTE technology is designed primarily for data transmission," the Ministry of Digital Transformation told Ekonomichna Pravda. "However, it also makes it possible to configure voice communication via mobile internet – this is enabled by VoLTE technology. Whether the Armed Forces of Ukraine will use this particular format for communication, and how it will be implemented in practice, will be decided exclusively by the General Staff based on the needs of our defenders."

In some military units contacted by Ekonomichna Pravda, this type of communication has long been developed as a backup in case of another episode of "satellite blackmail". Attempts to build separate 4G solutions for the army have been ongoing for more than a year.

"We received the first SIM cards from a military operator during the defence of Avdiivka. It exists locally and is developing," says a source in one of the brigades responsible for communications. He said that the military operator is an isolated mobile network accessible only to service personnel. It operates on special SIM cards and its own or dedicated infrastructure.

Such a network is not integrated with civilian operators and does not provide direct access to their systems, which increases the level of control and security. In effect, it is an autonomous mobile communications system for defence needs, enabling data transmission and unit coordination without dependence on commercial networks.

According to Ekonomichna Pravda's military sources, the advantage of such a solution is that the network is controlled by the army. If the military is responsible for the infrastructure, it also protects the equipment, monitors its operation and ensures it has a power supply.

"We are already using LTE as a backup channel. I have a site not far from the city: there is fibre connected, there is Starlink, and the third option is LTE. If the first and second fail, I switch on the mobile internet. That is a civilian operator – the military one does not operate there. However, if the electricity goes out, the base station shuts down after two or three hours," the aforementioned soldier explains.

The military communications system was restructured several months ago, Ekonomichna Pravda sources say. Field communications hubs were reinforced, and LTE platoons appeared within brigades. Mobile communications began to be integrated into the regular organisational structure of units.

At present, it remains unclear how LTE infrastructure will be deployed within the army and who will be responsible for the order and logic of installing base stations. Whether such decisions will be taken at corps level or by higher command is not yet known.

A solution is needed, but it will not replace Starlink

All of Ekonomichna Pravda's sources within the defence forces emphasise that a dedicated secure communications network is necessary. However, they acknowledge that it is unlikely to radically change the situation at the front in the short term. This area needs to be addressed systematically. Building a network takes years, and if the decision is postponed, a critical moment may reveal that there is no alternative.

"If at some point Starlink disappears, as has now happened for the Russians, a simple question will arise: what do we do here and now? Starlink did not work for us during operations in [Russia's] Kursk Oblast. Then everyone immediately switched to alternatives: we began using Silvus radios or LTE," says an Ekonomichna Pravda source in one of the brigades.

Despite the obvious advantages and the need to develop this area, relying on ground-based 4G/5G networks as the primary means of military communications is risky. Such networks require significant financial and material resources, and their infrastructure is stationary and vulnerable to strikes.

"The idea of building a military operator from scratch sounds appealing, but in reality it may take years to deploy, involve enormous costs and require a large stationary infrastructure that becomes an ideal target for missiles and drones," Khimich notes.

Moreover, Starlink is so convenient and versatile in use that there is currently no true alternative to it. "When Starlink is available, it is difficult to persuade drone operators or units to return to other solutions. There are few towers, coverage is weaker, equipment has to be configured and correctly aligned, additional expertise is required – whereas Starlink is just plug-and-play," says a communications specialist in one of the brigades.

Khimich adds that departmental 4G/5G networks will not fully replace Starlink. In his view, satellite internet represents a different physics of warfare, with global coverage, rapid deployment and relative resilience to destruction. Starlink, the expert stresses, can only be replaced by another satellite constellation with similar characteristics. Neither a military operator nor 5G will achieve this.

Author: Ihor Pylypiv, Ekonomichna Pravda

Translation: Anna Kybukevych

Editing: Susan McDonald