Uzbekistan has made remarkable strides in digital policy and telecom regulation, positioning itself as a regional leader in digital transformation. The country’s proactive approach to regulatory reform, infrastructure development, and innovation has significantly improved mobile connectivity and digital inclusion. These achievements have enhanced the nation’s telecommunications landscape and contributed to the selection of Tashkent as the host city for the upcoming M360 Eurasia on 21-22 May 2025.
Key policy and regulatory achievements in mobile connectivity
Digitalisation has been at the forefront of the country’s reform agenda since the government adopted its Digital Uzbekistan 2030 strategy in 2020. This policy roadmap aims to transform Uzbekistan into a regional IT hub by expanding broadband, increasing internet speed tenfold, and achieving universal mobile coverage.
Since then, the country has adopted a multilayered regulatory framework that ensures transparency and alignment with international best practices while fostering innovation. Recent developments include the adoption of the new Telecommunications Law in December 2024, which ensures regulatory independence and enhances efficiency. The establishment of an independent regulatory authority further enhances governance, promotes fair competition, and creates a predictable environment for investors. By 2024, 5G services were extended to all regional centres, while mobile broadband now covers 99% of all settlements. Uzbekistan’s international bandwidth reached 4,200 Gbps, supporting higher connectivity demands and digital growth.
Spectrum management and planning for future innovation
Uzbekistan has taken significant steps in spectrum management, optimising radio frequencies to drive mobile innovation. The country is the first in the region to allocate the 700 MHz band for IMT, spearheading negotiations with neighbouring Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan to harmonise the use of the band, reducing interference and enhancing coverage. The government also allocated 400 MHz in the 3.5 GHz range to support 5G deployment, ensuring faster speeds and broader coverage.
Expanding digital inclusion across society
As part of the Digital Uzbekistan 2030 strategy, the government has focused on expanding digital access and affordability. Uzbekistan ranks among the most affordable countries for mobile internet, with 10 GB of data costing only 1.2% of the average monthly salary. Programs such as “IT Gap,” “Tech Women,” and “ICT for Girls” are fostering digital literacy and gender inclusion. The my.gov.uz e-government portal now offers over 560 e-services, streamlining interactions between citizens and the government.
Sustainability and climate action via mobile connectivity
Uzbekistan is leveraging ICT for environmental conservation, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key initiatives include the implementation of NB-IoT, LTE-M, and LoRaWAN for real-time monitoring of water facilities, as well as mobile-enabled solutions for waste recycling in the industrial and mining sectors. Supporting policies include the “Strategy for Transition to a Green Economy 2019-2030” and the “Concept of Environmental Protection 2030,” which focus on environmental budgets, ICT-enabled pollution control, and sustainable resource management.
Fostering digital innovation and economic growth
The government has introduced proactive policies to accelerate digital innovation and entrepreneurship, including tax exemptions for rural telecom development, which encourages mobile operators to expand coverage in underserved areas. Additionally, streamlined processes have reduced network setup times from six months to just 15 days. Moreover, AI Strategy 2030, focused on supercomputing, cloud platforms, and AI-based big data applications, plans to create models and algorithms using big data, leveraging AI infrastructure to advance research and practical applications.
A digital future for Uzbekistan
As Uzbekistan continues to pursue its 2030 vision, its progressive policies will drive economic growth, societal inclusion, and technological innovation, setting a benchmark for digital transformation in Central Asia and beyond. These advancements have earned the country the honour of hosting M360 Eurasia, where industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators will convene to shape the future of digital connectivity in the region. Find out more about the event and register here.