Design Studios Bracing and Adapting: Insights into Ukraine's Creative Industry Resilience and Versatility during Challenging Times
In the heart of Eastern Europe, a nation once known for its technological advancements and digital state accessible through smartphones, found itself in the throes of an unexpected cross-country war. This conflict, which seemed barbaric to the Ukrainians, shattered their world and disrupted their lives. Yet, amidst the chaos, Ukraine has witnessed a remarkable telecom revolution, driven by resilience, innovation, and strategic diversification.
The war inflicted severe physical damage on Ukraine's telecommunications infrastructure. Cell towers, cables, and power grids were attacked, leading to over 276 internet outages totalling 19,000 hours of downtime in 2022 alone. However, the telecom sector exhibited remarkable resilience. Operators kept roughly 88% of mobile base stations operational by deploying over 2,000 generators and more than 120,000 backup batteries to counter power disruptions.
To enhance security and reduce dependence on potentially untrusted Chinese telecom vendors, Ukraine is actively diversifying its technology sources. Notable initiatives include the adoption of Open RAN (Open Radio Access Network) technology through partnerships such as with Japan’s Rakuten. This modular, vendor-agnostic approach allows quicker, more secure infrastructure rebuilding and better supply chain resilience.
The conflict has also accelerated Ukraine’s emergence as a global innovator in military technology, particularly drones and AI. Over 4 million drones are expected to be produced this year alone, many developed through direct collaboration between frontline forces and manufacturers. These drones account for 70% of troop losses in the conflict, underscoring their strategic significance.
Parallel to the wartime technological shifts, Ukraine aligned its telecom regulations with European Union standards through new legislation effective January 2022, promoting market modernization and sector harmonization with the EU. The telecom industry is now oriented strongly toward both recovery and ambitious future digital modernization (5G, fiber upgrades, and market competition), leveraging wartime innovation as a foundation for post-war rebuilding through 2030.
This article is part of Adweek's special issue "On Ukraine, by Ukrainians," published on April 25, 2022. The issue was created entirely by Ukrainian writers, editors, and artists, offering a unique perspective on the nation's digital landscape today, characterised by adaptive restoration, enhanced cybersecurity, cloud migration, and an unprecedented role in next-generation military technology.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-telecom-operators-brace-russian-cyber-attacks-2022-02-24/ [2] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/16/ukraine-rebuilds-its-telecom-network-amid-russian-attacks.html [3] https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-is-becoming-a-global-drone-powerhouse-11648338554 [4] https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60323863
Politics and general news have shed light on Ukraine's unexpected war-and-conflicts, which severely impacted its telecommunications infrastructure. Despite this, the telecom sector has shown remarkable resilience, renewing efforts to secure and diversify sources, such as adopting Open RAN technology, to build a more efficient, secure, and self-sufficient system.
