KYIV, July 9 – Ukraine’s two major cell phone operators, Kyivstar and Vodafone Ukraine, signed preliminary agreement for joint use of cell phone network infrastructures for faster expansion, the companies reported Thursday.

Sharing the infrastructure will enable the parties to accelerate the deployment of 4G networks in rural areas and on highways.

The agreement takes into account the use of not only communication channels, but also towers, as well as other equipment. Cooperation using telecom infrastructure will enable operators to avoid duplication in the process of building networks, which will accelerate the provision of access to 4G/LTE services for subscribers living in sparsely populated areas.