VEON and Airspan Sign MoU to Collaborate on Air-to-Land Network Solutions Supporting Ukraine’s Resilience
VEON (Nasdaq: VEON) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airspan Networks Holdings, a U.S.-based Open RAN solutions provider, to enhance Ukraine's communications infrastructure resilience. The collaboration focuses on developing and testing innovative network solutions, including Open RAN and Air-to-Land network technologies.
As part of VEON's USD 1 billion investment commitment for rebuilding Ukraine's digital infrastructure during 2023-2027, the partnership will explore technical and commercial synergies for resilient network solutions. The investment includes network upgrades, expansion, and advanced capabilities implementation such as Open RAN, direct-to-cell satellite connectivity, and air-to-land solutions.
Airspan brings significant expertise from building the world's first nationwide 4/5G ORAN network in Japan and the largest geographical Open RAN Network in the US. Additionally, VEON's subsidiary Kyivstar has launched a laboratory with Rakuten Symphony to test cloud-native RAN software.
VEON (Nasdaq: VEON) ha firmato un Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) con Airspan Networks Holdings, un fornitore di soluzioni Open RAN con sede negli Stati Uniti, per migliorare la resilienza delle infrastrutture di comunicazione in Ucraina. La collaborazione si concentra sullo sviluppo e la sperimentazione di soluzioni innovative per la rete, comprese le tecnologie Open RAN e le reti Air-to-Land.
Come parte dell'
Airspan porta un'esperienza significativa nella costruzione della prima rete ORAN 4/5G nazionale al mondo in Giappone e della più grande rete Open RAN geografica negli Stati Uniti. Inoltre, la sussidiaria di VEON, Kyivstar, ha lanciato un laboratorio con Rakuten Symphony per testare il software RAN nativo nel cloud.
VEON (Nasdaq: VEON) ha firmado un Memorando de Entendimiento (MoU) con Airspan Networks Holdings, un proveedor de soluciones Open RAN con sede en EE. UU., para mejorar la resiliencia de la infraestructura de comunicaciones de Ucrania. La colaboración se centra en el desarrollo y la prueba de soluciones innovadoras de red, incluidas las tecnologías Open RAN y las redes Air-to-Land.
Como parte del compromiso de inversión de 1.000 millones de USD de VEON para la reconstrucción de la infraestructura digital de Ucrania durante 2023-2027, la asociación explorará sinergias técnicas y comerciales para soluciones de red resilientes. La inversión incluye actualizaciones de red, expansión e implementación de capacidades avanzadas como Open RAN, conectividad satelital directa a celular y soluciones air-to-land.
Airspan aporta una experiencia significativa de la construcción de la primera red ORAN 4/5G nacional en el mundo en Japón y la mayor red Open RAN geográfica en EE. UU. Además, la subsidiaria de VEON, Kyivstar, ha lanzado un laboratorio con Rakuten Symphony para probar el software RAN nativo en la nube.
VEON (Nasdaq: VEON)은 미국에 본사를 둔 Open RAN 솔루션 제공업체인 Airspan Networks Holdings와 협력하여 우크라이나의 통신 인프라 복원력을 강화하기 위한 양해각서(MoU)를 체결했습니다. 이번 협력은 Open RAN 및 Air-to-Land 네트워크 기술을 포함한 혁신적인 네트워크 솔루션의 개발 및 테스트에 중점을 둡니다.
2023-2027년 동안 우크라이나 디지털 인프라 재건을 위한 10억 달러 투자 약속의 일환으로, VEON은 복원력 있는 네트워크 솔루션을 위한 기술 및 상업적 시너지를 탐색할 것입니다. 이 투자에는 네트워크 업그레이드, 확장, Open RAN, 셀룰러 위성 직접 연결 및 공중-지상 솔루션과 같은 고급 기능 구현이 포함됩니다.
Airspan은 일본에서 세계 최초의 국가 단위 4/5G ORAN 네트워크를 구축하고 미국에서 가장 큰 지리적 Open RAN 네트워크를 운영한 경험이 있습니다. 또한 VEON의 자회사인 Kyivstar는 Rakuten Symphony와 함께 클라우드 네이티브 RAN 소프트웨어를 테스트하기 위한 연구소를 개설했습니다.
VEON (Nasdaq: VEON) a signé un protocole d'accord (MoU) avec Airspan Networks Holdings, un fournisseur de solutions Open RAN basé aux États-Unis, pour renforcer la résilience de l'infrastructure de communication en Ukraine. La collaboration se concentre sur le développement et le test de solutions réseau innovantes, y compris les technologies Open RAN et les réseaux Air-to-Land.
Dans le cadre de l'
Airspan apporte une expertise significative grâce à la construction du premier réseau ORAN 4/5G national au monde au Japon et du plus grand réseau Open RAN géographique aux États-Unis. De plus, la filiale de VEON, Kyivstar, a lancé un laboratoire avec Rakuten Symphony pour tester des logiciels RAN natifs dans le cloud.
VEON (Nasdaq: VEON) hat ein Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) mit Airspan Networks Holdings, einem in den USA ansässigen Anbieter von Open RAN-Lösungen, unterzeichnet, um die Resilienz der Kommunikationsinfrastruktur in der Ukraine zu verbessern. Die Zusammenarbeit konzentriert sich auf die Entwicklung und Erprobung innovativer Netzwerk-Lösungen, einschließlich Open RAN und Air-to-Land-Netzwerktechnologien.
Im Rahmen des Investitionsengagements von 1 Milliarde USD von VEON zur Wiederherstellung der digitalen Infrastruktur der Ukraine in den Jahren 2023-2027 wird die Partnerschaft technische und kommerzielle Synergien für resiliente Netzwerk-Lösungen erkunden. Die Investition umfasst Netzwerk-Upgrades, Erweiterungen und die Implementierung fortschrittlicher Funktionen wie Open RAN, direkte Satellitenanbindung und Air-to-Land-Lösungen.
Airspan bringt bedeutende Erfahrung aus dem Aufbau des weltweit ersten landesweiten 4/5G ORAN-Netzwerks in Japan und dem größten geografischen Open RAN-Netzwerk in den USA mit. Darüber hinaus hat die Tochtergesellschaft von VEON, Kyivstar, ein Labor mit Rakuten Symphony eröffnet, um cloud-native RAN-Software zu testen.
- USD 1 billion investment commitment for digital infrastructure development (2023-2027)
- Strategic partnership with established U.S.-based technology provider Airspan
- Implementation of advanced network technologies enhancing infrastructure resilience
- None.
Insights
This MoU between VEON and Airspan represents a strategic technology partnership focusing on network resilience in Ukraine's challenging environment. The collaboration specifically targets Open RAN and Air-to-Land network solutions - technologies crucial for maintaining connectivity during infrastructure disruptions.
The
From an infrastructure perspective, this partnership addresses a critical need for resilient communications in Ukraine through diversified network architecture. Open RAN technology offers vendor flexibility and potentially lower deployment costs compared to traditional single-vendor solutions. The Air-to-Land component suggests exploring aerial platforms for connectivity - particularly valuable where ground infrastructure is compromised.
While this MoU doesn't guarantee immediate revenue impact, it positions VEON strategically in Ukraine's inevitable infrastructure rebuild and demonstrates forward-thinking network planning that could become a template for resilient deployments in other challenging markets.
This MoU signifies VEON's continued commitment to Ukraine despite ongoing challenges, reinforcing their long-term strategy in a market facing extraordinary circumstances. The partnership with US-based Airspan provides both technological and symbolic value, bringing international expertise to Ukraine's communications resilience efforts.
The previously announced
The collaboration's focus on resilient network solutions is particularly relevant for Ukraine's current situation and potentially creates a competitive advantage through infrastructure hardening that competitors might struggle to match. The testing lab with Rakuten Symphony further indicates VEON's commitment to technological advancement in this market.
From an emerging markets perspective, this approach could become a blueprint for other regions facing infrastructure challenges. However, investors should note this remains a preliminary agreement without immediate financial impact, focused on exploratory collaboration rather than defined commercial outcomes.
Dubai and Kyiv, March 21, 2025: VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) with Airspan Networks Holdings LLC (“Airspan”), a U.S.-based provider of Open RAN solutions and network infrastructure.
VEON and Airspan intend to collaborate in evaluating technical and commercial synergies for resilient network solutions in Ukraine, identifying joint business prospects in both public and private network sectors, and sharing expertise to drive innovation and adoption of new technologies that will further strengthen Ukraine’s communications infrastructure.
The collaboration will explore opportunities for the development, deployment, and testing of innovative network solutions tailored and enhancing communications infrastructure resilience in extreme conditions, leveraging advanced wireless technologies such as Open RAN and Air-to-Land network solutions.
“VEON and Kyivstar have committed to investing USD 1 billion to rebuild Ukraine’s digital infrastructure over 2023-2027. This includes upgrading and expanding our mobile network and equipping it with most advanced capabilities to keep Ukraine connected such as Open RAN, direct-to-cell satellite connectivity and air-to-land solutions. We look forward to working with Airspan to explore opportunities as a part of our commitment to the country’s resilience and rebuilding,” said VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu.
“Reliable connectivity is critical for Ukraine’s resilience and rebuilding. Airspan brings extensive expertise having built the largest Open RAN networks globally. We look forward to collaborating with VEON and Kyivstar to explore innovative technologies that enhance network resilience and keep communities connected in even the most challenging conditions”, said Glenn Laxdal, CEO at Airspan.
With successful experience building the world’s first nationwide 4/5G ORAN network in Japan and the largest geographical Open RAN Network in the US, Airspan Networks brings significant expertise to this collaboration. Kyivstar recently launched a laboratory together with Rakuten Symphony to test the company’s cloud-native RAN software.
About VEON
VEON is a digital operator that provides converged connectivity and digital services to nearly 160 million customers. Operating across six countries that are home to more than
About Airspan
Airspan Networks Holdings LLC is a U.S.-based provider of wireless network solutions and a recognized leader in Open RAN. Airspan has extensive expertise in the design of carrier-grade wireless networks and has shipped more than 1 million radios globally to over 1,000 customers. Airspan’s reliable and scalable solutions support Macro Open RUs, in-building coverage, Critical Infrastructure, Fixed Wireless Access, Defense and Air-To-Ground, empowering businesses, governments, and service providers to build the networks of tomorrow, today. For more information, visit www.airspan.com.
Disclaimer
This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and include statements relating to, among other things, VEON’s commercial and investment plans. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which VEON cannot predict with accuracy and some of which VEON might not anticipate, including the important factors discussed under the caption Risk Factors in VEON’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2023, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements contained in this letter speak only as of the date of this letter. VEON does not undertake to publicly update, except as required by U.S. federal securities laws, any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after such dates or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. There can be no assurance that the initiatives referred to above will be successful.
Contact Information
VEON
Hande Asik
Group Director of Communication
pr@veon.com
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FAQ
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