Uzbekistan’s mobile internet coverage reaches 99.5% of populated areas

17:042693 min

Mobile communications networks now cover 99.5% of populated areas in Uzbekistan, while mobile internet is available along 95.5% of international highways, Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov said in a response to a parliamentary inquiry.

Photo: Global Look Press

Uzbekistan’s mobile internet coverage reaches 99.5% of populated areas — Photo: Global Look Press

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis took note of the minister’s response on progress toward the targets set by the Digital Uzbekistan 2030 strategy.

More than 11,000 mobile base stations have been installed across the country since the beginning of 2026, bringing the total to 110,500, Shermatov said.

The capacity of backbone networks has also increased in recent years. Compared with 2020, capacity at the regional level has risen from 400 to 600 Gbps, while capacity at the district level has grown from 40 to 60 Gbps.

Fiber-optic infrastructure expands

Uzbekistan has significantly expanded its fiber-optic network, increasing its total length from 119,500 km in 2020 to 397,000 km. Fiber-optic infrastructure now reaches 98.1% of populated areas, with the government targeting 98.2% coverage by the end of 2026.

The country has also continued connecting public institutions to high-speed internet. According to the minister, high-speed data networks now cover 10,657 general education facilities, 6,988 preschool education organizations, 5,786 healthcare facilities, 8,935 citizens’ self-governing bodies, known as mahallas, and 5,250 local internal affairs offices.

Uzbekistan improves internet speed rankings

Uzbekistan has improved its position in international internet speed rankings, rising from 133rd to 72nd in mobile internet speed and from 112th to 73rd in fixed broadband speed. The country now ranks first in Central Asia for fixed internet speed, according to Shermatov.

International internet connectivity capacity has also increased. It stood at 1,200 Gbps in 2020 but has since reached 4,400 Gbps following investment projects and the diversification of international internet channels.

The government aims to raise this capacity to 4,500 Gbps by the end of 2026 and 5,000 Gbps by 2030.

During the parliamentary discussion, lawmakers proposed measures to ensure an objective assessment of progress, address remaining problems and meet the strategy’s targets on time. The Legislative Chamber subsequently took note of the minister’s response.