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Mobile communications networks now reach 99.5% of populated areas in Uzbekistan, and mobile internet is available along 95.5% of international highways, Digital Technologies Minister Sherzod Shermatov told parliament this week in a response to a legislative inquiry on the Digital Uzbekistan 2030 strategy.
The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis received the minister’s update on progress toward the strategy’s targets. More than 11,000 mobile base stations have been installed since the start of 2026, bringing the national total to 110,500, Shermatov said.
Backbone network capacity has grown substantially since 2020. Regional-level capacity has risen from 400 to 600 Gbps, while district-level capacity has increased from 40 to 60 Gbps. International internet connectivity has expanded even more sharply, climbing from 1,200 Gbps in 2020 to 4,400 Gbps following investment projects and the diversification of international channels. The government is targeting 4,500 Gbps by the end of 2026 and 5,000 Gbps by 2030.
The country’s fiber-optic network has more than tripled in length over the same period, growing from 119,500 km in 2020 to 397,000 km. Fiber infrastructure now reaches 98.1% of populated areas, with the government aiming to push that figure to 98.2% before the year ends.
Public institutions connected
The rollout has extended to a wide range of public facilities. According to Shermatov, high-speed data networks now serve 10,657 general education facilities, 6,988 preschool organizations, 5,786 healthcare facilities, 8,935 mahallas — the citizens’ self-governing bodies that form the basic unit of local administration — and 5,250 local internal affairs offices.
Speed rankings improve sharply
Uzbekistan has moved from 133rd to 72nd place globally in mobile internet speed and from 112th to 73rd in fixed broadband speed, Shermatov said. He added that the country now ranks first in Central Asia for fixed internet speed.
During the parliamentary session, lawmakers proposed measures to ensure an objective assessment of progress, address outstanding gaps and keep the strategy on schedule. The Legislative Chamber subsequently took note of the minister’s response.