Why is this important
The move to abolish Uzbektelecom’s monopoly on external internet traffic could reduce costs and delays for operators and users. Liberalization will help develop competition in the telecom sector and can accelerate Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO through compliance with international standards. Speed, service quality, and internet prices, especially for private providers, may improve.
Key measures
- The experiment is valid until January 1, 2030.
- Operators are required to obtain a conclusion from the Ministry of Digital Development, the Center for the Development of Electronic Technologies, the State Security Service, and the Center for Cybersecurity of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
- Operators must provide a network diagram, international connections, network development plans, gateway design, and information about gateway management and personnel.
- Requirement: The operator’s fiber optic networks must cover at least 50% of the country’s territory.
- Regulation will be carried out by the Ministry of Digital Technologies through the Republican Center for Telecommunications Network Management (RCSTM).
- By July 1, 2028, an improved connection procedure should be developed, taking into account the requirements of the WTO and modern telecommunications technologies.
Context
Today, almost all providers in Uzbekistan receive external internet traffic through “Uzbektelecom.” The instruction to conduct an experiment with direct connection was given by the president back in June 2024.
The resolution is part of a broad reform of the telecommunications market and efforts to liberalize, compete, and adapt legislation to international standards.
