Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation has simplified the conditions for internet providers laying networks in remote settlements. The key change concerns the cost of access to utility poles: instead of the previous 10 hryvnia, providers will now pay a symbolic 1 kopiyka. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the ministry. In essence, this represents a thousand-fold reduction in the tariff, which is expected to remove the main economic barrier to covering the "digital deserts" in rural areas.
Why Remote Villages Have Been Left Without a Network for Years
For years, providers have deliberately avoided remote villages: renting the utility poles on which the cable is mounted was too expensive. In settlements with a small number of potential subscribers, the payback period for building a network was low, and sometimes even negative. As a result, thousands of villages were left without home internet, and their residents had to make do with mobile connectivity or, in some cases, without stable access to the network at all.
What Exactly Will Change for Providers
The new conditions make connection economically viable. The funds saved on pole rental can be directed by operators toward purchasing equipment, upgrading network nodes, and laying networks directly. Importantly, the preferential price applies not only to the poles in the villages themselves, but also to the transit of cable from neighboring settlements — that is, to the entire chain needed for the signal to reach a remote home. According to the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the decision opens up the possibility of connecting 1,043 settlements where people still do not have home internet.
Duration of the Preferential Terms
The established tariff of 1 kopiyka per pole will remain in effect throughout the period of martial law and for one additional year after its termination. Thus, the preferential regime is tied to a specific time window, giving providers predictable conditions for planning infrastructure investments over the coming years.
What This Will Mean for Residents of Remote Areas
As envisioned by the ministry, the development of networks will allow residents of remote villages to obtain stable home internet, use government and banking online services, and study and work remotely. For regions where digital services have become a prerequisite for access to basic functions — from e-health to remote employment — this could be a significant step in narrowing the gap between city and countryside. Contextually, the decision fits into a broader cycle of discussion about Ukraine's digital infrastructure, including the launch of 5G and possible tightening of requirements for the operation of mobile networks during power outages.
