The first autonomous base station of the cellular network is operating in Ukraine

In one of the villages in the Odesa region, the mobile operator lifecell has launched a pilot project for an energy-independent base station that can operate even during blackouts. It is completely self-sufficient in terms of energy, relying solely on solar power and not connected to the general power grid. However, it operates 24/7 and provides communication for approximately 2000 people, according to Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov, who wrote about it in his Telegram channel.

An energy-independent base station is a regular mobile communication station with a tall tower that houses antennas, along with a small enclosure containing telecommunications equipment. The only thing that sets it apart and immediately catches the eye is the adjacent solar panels.

The total area of the panels is 84 square meters, and they generate up to 16 kW of energy, which is used to power the equipment. The energy is also sufficient for charging batteries that supply power to the station at night and provide additional power during cloudy days when sunlight is scarce. The battery capacity allows for 36 hours of autonomous operation.

The pilot project began in October 2022 and was planned even before the Russian invasion. The experimental station was intended to be located on Snake Island to provide mobile communication for border guards. However, due to the invasion, this pilot project, which was supposed to last for a year, was postponed to the fall of 2022, and the station itself was placed in one of the villages in the Odesa region, where there were also issues with mobile communication.

Currently, lifecell engineers are monitoring the results and gathering necessary data to make further decisions. If successful (as there have been no malfunctions in the operation of the autonomous base station during its operation), similar mobile communication stations may appear in many regions of Ukraine. This will ensure reliable communication even in the event of possible power outages.

Currently, Ukrainian telecommunication companies are actively preparing for the autumn-winter period and possible attacks by Russia on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Out of the 34,000 base stations operating in Ukraine, over 90% are equipped with batteries, and approximately 10% have generators. Operators are also replacing lead batteries with lithium ones to ensure that communication is maintained for a longer duration in the absence of electricity.