Shukhrat Abdullaev UNDP “ICT Policy” project

1. Internet access in Uzbekistan: Current state and development perspectives ShukhratAbdullaev UNDP “ICT Policy” project

2. Internet access in Uzbekistan • Sources of data: • Statistics • Surveys of Internet providers • Interviews with ISP managers • Operators: • JSC “UZBEKTELECOM” • JV “BUZTON” • JV “EAST TELECOM” • Internet service providers: • Sarkor Telecom • TPS • Super iMAX • UzNET • SIMUS • BCC • Sharq Telecom • UNITECH • ArsInform • Cron Telecom • Mobile operators: • Perfectum Mobile • MTS www.unicon.uz www.ictp.uz www.cib.uz

3. Internet access in Uzbekistan: Statistics Total international bandwidth Distribution of international bandwidth among operators www.unicon.uz www.ictp.uz www.cib.uz

4. Internet access in Uzbekistan: Statistics Approximate number of Internet users in Uzbekistan www.unicon.uz www.ictp.uz www.cib.uz

5. Internet access in Uzbekistan: Statistics Number of broadband subscribers www.unicon.uz www.ictp.uz www.cib.uz

6. Internet access in Uzbekistan: Statistics Domain names registered in.UZ zone www.unicon.uz www.ictp.uz www.cib.uz

7. Internet access in Uzbekistan: Statistics Distribution of broadband subscribers based on access speeds www.unicon.uz www.ictp.uz www.cib.uz

8. Internet access in Uzbekistan: Survey results International bandwidth lease cost Cost of equipment/amortization OPEX General and admin expenses Marketing expenditures R&D Training expenses Wages Other expenses Income Average value-chain and profit margin of ISPs www.unicon.uz www.ictp.uz www.cib.uz

9. Internet access in Uzbekistan: Survey results Favorable conditions for ISPs business development in Uzbekistan • Simplified registration and licensing procedure; • Legal environment; • One-stop-shop for international bandwidth lease; Barriers for ISPs business development • Limited access to financial resources; • High cost of international bandwidth lease; • Network building and maintenance monopoly; • Double land-locked country; • High costs of importing telecom equipment; • High collocation costs; • Foreign trade limitations; • Low buying power of population for Internet services. www.unicon.uz www.ictp.uz www.cib.uz

10. Internet access in Uzbekistan: Survey results Self-evaluation of ISPs Cost of services Overall quality of services Quality of on-line content Technology and equipment used Data transfer networks quality Customer service quality Tech support quality Financial capacity for further growth Technical personnel competency Administrative personnel quality New technology and services development capacity Do not know Unacceptable Acceptable Satisfactory Good Excellent www.unicon.uz www.ictp.uz www.cib.uz

11. Internet access in Uzbekistan: Survey results Business development plans of ISPs Internet access price reduction plans Not planned Planned in the far future Somewhat important Important Very important Technology upgrade Technical personnel efficiency improvement Customer service personnel efficiency improvement Managing personnel efficiency improvement Not planned Planned in the far future Somewhat important Important Very important www.unicon.uz www.ictp.uz www.cib.uz

12. Internet access in Uzbekistan: Survey results Access technology development plans xDSL WiFi WiMAX FTTx Cable TV www.unicon.uz www.ictp.uz www.cib.uz

13. Internet access in Uzbekistan: Survey results Geographic expansion plans Not planned Planned in the far future Somewhat important Important Very important In the city In the region In all regional centers All over the country www.unicon.uz www.ictp.uz www.cib.uz

14. Internet access in Uzbekistan: Survey results Factors influencing Internet access sector development • Single access point to international networks • Digital divide in capital and regions • Local content www.unicon.uz www.ictp.uz www.cib.uz

15. Thank you for your attention!