Tashkent: (TDI): State-owned telecommunications company Uztelecom on Thursday announced that it has launched its non-standalone (NSA) 5G network across all regional centres in Uzbekistan.
The company also hinted at plans to move ahead with 5G-Advanced technology in the near future.
The 5G launch is part of Uztelecom’s “Season of Renewal” initiative, aimed at modernising the country’s mobile network infrastructure, which began in March 2022.
As part of this project, Uztelecom has modernised and deployed over 3,500 base stations to date.
The telco previously conducted a 5G trial in April 2023 in Tashkent, utilising more than 60 5G base stations.
“The launch of the 5G network across the republic is a significant step in the modernisation of our telecommunications infrastructure,” said Temur Mansurov, Deputy Director of UzMobile, a branch of Uzbektelecom JSC.
“Now, residents and visitors of Uzbekistan can experience the benefits of next-generation technologies.”
Mansurov also revealed that Uztelecom plans to introduce the “5.5G standard” at the upcoming ICTWeek exhibition in Tashkent, without providing further details.
Perfect-um in Competition
Uztelecom’s launch makes it the first operator in Uzbekistan to deploy NSA 5G.
However, its recently privatized competitor, Rubicon Wireless Communications, known as Perfectum, is striving to become the first in Uzbekistan—and Central Asia—to launch standalone (SA) 5G services.
Perfectum has contracted Nokia as the sole supplier for its 5G SA network and engaged Qvantel for monetization support.
The telco initially planned to commercially launch its SA 5G service in Tashkent in the fourth quarter of this year, with plans to expand it nationwide within two years.
However, recent indications suggest that the launch might be delayed to early next year, as Perfectum seeks to involve global telecommunications giant Vodafone in its rollout plans.
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According to local media reports, Farkhod Mamatjanov, founder of the textile company UzTex Group and the primary shareholder of InfinBank, said during a meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on August 20 that Vodafone is looking to enter the Uzbekistan market through a partnership with Perfectum.
Mamatjanov also stated that Perfectum aims to launch 5G SA in collaboration with Vodafone in the first quarter of 2025.
He further noted that UAE-based Etisalat by e& would act as a technical partner for the 5G SA project.
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