Mobile operators are raising their rates: how much will Ukrainians have to pay for communication and internet services?

In Ukraine, the tariffs of all three mobile operators – Kyivstar, Vodafone, and lifecell – are experiencing record increases. Companies attribute the average price rise of about one-third to the rising costs of utilities and damages caused by Russian missile strikes.

To find out how much mobile service prices will increase and which tariffs will be the most advantageous, read the review by RBC Ukraine journalist Alyk Sakhno.

Domestic mobile operator tariffs are expected to rise by an average of 25-35% in 2025. However, to retain customers in the competitive market, companies are introducing additional bonuses for both existing and new users.

Reasons for Tariff Increases

Typically, each line of tariffs offered by Ukrainian operators is reviewed approximately once a year. The factors driving changes in pricing and the content of tariff plans this year include, above all, the rapid increase in electricity costs.

Additionally, there are extra expenses for backup power supplies – batteries and generators, fuel for them, and for deploying mobile teams. Company engineers also have to constantly repair equipment damaged due to the war, which leads to additional costs for spare parts and, at times, complete replacement of entire equipment complexes.

In a comment to RBC Ukraine, Vodafone's press secretary Viktoria Pavlovska noted that the rising demand for data services necessitates ongoing support and expansion of infrastructure, which in turn requires additional capital investments. Pavlovska also mentioned that this often results in price adjustments and increased service volumes in tariffs, particularly through the addition of more gigabytes.

"We understand that any price increase frustrates our users. However, this necessary step is a justified response by the company to the economic situation in the country. According to state statistics, the cost of telecommunications services has increased by an average of 4.3% this year, while electricity prices have risen by 63.6%, utility costs have increased by 18.6%, and food prices by 10.8%," they stated in a comment to RBC Ukraine from Kyivstar.

The company also highlighted that the new tariff conditions primarily take into account the growing demand for services among subscribers. According to the press service, people are increasingly using mobile internet for news monitoring, work, watching movies, and listening to podcasts.

"This has led most subscribers to buy additional mobile internet packages separately. Now, this won't be necessary. Additionally, subscribers have begun to make more calls, both within Ukraine and abroad, so we are providing more minutes for calls within the tariff. It’s also worth noting that the telecommunications industry faces high demands for network energy resilience," the operator's press service explained.

What Kyivstar Offers

The largest mobile operator in the country, Kyivstar, increased service fees by an average of 25% back in December 2024. At the same time, the company provided subscribers with more minutes for calls to other networks, additional gigabytes of mobile internet, as well as the option to connect extra unlimited services.

For instance, starting December 1, 2024, the price of the tariff LOVE UA Світло Контракт 2023 has risen by 50 hryvnias to 225 hryvnias for 4 weeks. Tariffs such as ВАШ Регіон, ВАШ Оптимум, and Smart Max have increased by 75 hryvnias – to 275, 375, and 450 hryvnias respectively.

However, there are several new low-cost options, but the low price is only available for subscribers who choose to transfer their number from another operator or for elderly individuals. For example:

LOVE UA Магнит – a contract costing 100 hryvnias per month when transferring from another operator. The discount is available from the moment of tariff activation and lasts for 11 months, after which the price will increase to 175 hryvnias per month.

Included in the package:

• Mobile internet – 20 GB.

• Mobile internet while roaming – 4.3 GB.

• Unlimited calls to Kyivstar.

• Other mobile and landline numbers within Ukraine: 1200 minutes.

After the limit is reached, calls to other mobile and landline numbers in Ukraine will cost 3 hryvnias per minute.

LOVE UA Комфорт – costs 140 hryvnias per month. This can be subscribed to by individuals aged 60 and over. Unlike the first option, the price does not change after 12 months of use.

Included in the package:

• Mobile internet – 6 GB.

• Unlimited calls to Kyivstar.

• Calls to other mobile and landline numbers within Ukraine: 60 minutes; when all minutes are used up, the cost is – 1 hryvnia/minute.

At the same time, the company recommends regular users choose the new tariff LOVE UA Світло priced at 250 hryvnias per month.

Included in the package:

• Mobile internet – 20 GB.

• Mobile internet while roaming – 6.1 GB.

• Unlimited calls to Kyivstar

• Calls to other operators and abroad: 150 minutes (to Belgium, India, Spain, Italy, Canada, Moldova, Germany, Norway, Poland, Romania, the USA, Czech Republic, Sweden).

• SMS within Ukraine: 100 messages.

What lifecell Offers

In 2025, the mobile operator lifecell is reducing the number of tariffs while raising their costs. Tariffs are expected to increase by an average of 34%, but if paid annually in advance, the operator offers a 15% discount.

lifecell plans to close several tariff plans from February 17 to March 20. Starting February 5, 2025, the conditions (price and/or content) of 4-week service packages will be reviewed for the following tariff plans:

• Смарт Лайф.

• Просто Лайф.

• Вільний Лайф.

• Потужний.

• Дзвінкий БЕЗМЕЖ.

• Вільний Лайф. Регіон.

• Platinum Лайф.

• Жара Лайт 2022.

New subscribers will not be able to connect to these tariff plans. Until February 5, subscribers can switch to another available tariff plan without additional charges after receiving an SMS about the relevant changes.

Currently, the tariffs for the following company packages will change as follows:

Просто Лайф – 160 hryvnias, increasing to 210 hryvnias for 4 weeks starting February 5 (120 hryvnias if transferring the number). The package at the new price will include: mobile internet – 8 GB. Unlimited calls to lifecell. Calls to all numbers within Ukraine – 300 minutes.

Смарт Лайф – 225