Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan is demonstrating the highest growth rate in the telecommunications market among the CIS countries.

According to a study conducted by Nexign in collaboration with the analytical agency TelecomDaily, the country’s telecom market is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 12.7% over the next three years. This significantly outpaces the 4–6% average growth rate seen across other states in the region.

The key drivers behind this growth include the modernization of network infrastructure, the advancement of 5G technologies, and the launch of next-generation digital services.

Doubling of the Telecom Market in Five Years

The report notes that the size of Uzbekistan’s telecom market has doubled over the past five years—from 10.2 trillion soums in 2020 to 20.9 trillion soums in 2024. Although the growth rate has slightly slowed in recent years, the market remains the most dynamic in the CIS. In 2024 alone, it expanded by 18.6% year-on-year, compared to 11% in Kazakhstan, 13.6% in Kyrgyzstan, and 7.8% in Russia.

Strategic Goals: Digitalization and Accessibility

The “Uzbekistan – 2030” strategy, adopted in 2024, envisions transforming the country into a regional IT hub. Key objectives include achieving 100% broadband internet coverage nationwide, accelerating 5G rollout, expanding fiber-optic infrastructure, and increasing internet speeds tenfold.

By 2030, fifth-generation networks are expected to cover Tashkent, the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and all regional centers. State-owned Uztelecom, which holds an 83% share of the fixed internet market, plays a leading role in achieving these targets.

Leading Technologies and Solutions

Among the notable technological advancements is the launch of 5G FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) services in Uzbekistan, which are particularly valuable for rural and hard-to-reach areas where laying fiber-optic cables is challenging. The first 5G tests began in 2018, with commercial use commencing in 2022. In 2025, telecom operators are actively scaling up services based on this technology.

Ucell became one of the first operators in the region to implement 5G Standalone (SA) technology based on a 5G core (5GC), supported by Nexign solutions.

Rising Demand for Digital Services

Internet penetration in households continues to grow, reaching 93.3% in 2024 (up from 89% the previous year). The number of mobile subscribers climbed to 36.3 million, a 6% increase year-on-year. Mobile service penetration now stands at 81.1 per 100 inhabitants, signaling considerable potential for further growth.

Operators are expanding their offerings in both the B2C and B2B segments. Streaming platforms, fintech solutions, cloud services, and big data analytics are all on the rise. Increasing attention is being paid to customer experience, with bundled service packages combining internet, television, mobile communication, and IP telephony becoming more common.

Forecast for 2025

Nexign and TelecomDaily forecast that Uzbekistan’s telecom market will exceed 24.1 trillion soums in 2025, marking a 15.3% increase.

“The telecommunications market in Uzbekistan is rapidly evolving and aligns with the country’s ambitious digitalization strategy. Strong competition is driving operators to adopt innovative solutions. We are proud to be part of this transformation as a technology partner to the market’s leading players,” said Sergey Karpov, Chief Commercial Officer at Nexign.