In Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine, during blackouts, mobile operators Kyivstar, Vodafone, and Lifecell, along with DTEK and the Ministry of Digital Transformation, explained how networks operate during power outages. This was reported by Life.kyiv.ua, as reported by the portal PromPolitInform.
Base Station Autonomy
Base stations are now equipped with modern lithium batteries:
Most stations can operate autonomously for up to 10 hours;
Currently, due to severe frost, batteries provide approximately 6 hours of operation;
More than 30% of key stations are equipped with generators, allowing the network to function for more than three days.
Why internet service disappears
The main reason for outages is critical network overload. During outages, many users simultaneously switch from home Wi-Fi to mobile 4G. The load increases 3-4 times, and the equipment cannot handle all the traffic. Voice calls and SMS receive the highest priority, so the internet is the first to slow down.
How to keep the network running
The Ministry of Digital Development calls for “digital hygiene”:
Limit video viewing over mobile networks (YouTube, TikTok);
Favor text messages over video calls;
For home internet, use energy-efficient xPON technology, which can operate for up to 72 hours without power if the router is powered by a power bank.
According to DTEK energy specialists, the system remains controllable, and backup power circuits allow communications to be maintained at a critical level even after attacks on energy infrastructure.
