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Internet

Foreign IT Companies Earned Over $50 Million in Uzbekistan Last Year

Foreign IT companies who pay tax in Uzbekistan almost doubled their profits last year. That's according to statistical data published by the Uzbek State Tax Committee. In 2023 their total profit amounted to $50.8m. There are currently 57 foreign firms providing internet and IT services in the country. In 2023 alone the list grew by 17 -- including the Singaporean company TikTok PTE LTD. TikTok has been blocked in Uzbekistan since July 2021 for violating the law on personal data, which requires that data servers must be located in Uzbekistan. Compared to 2022, the taxes paid by foreign IT companies to the Uzbek budget increased by 56.2%. The lion's share of payments falls on tech giants such as Facebook parent company Meta ($2.114m), Google ($1.6m), Apple ($1m) and Amazon ($176,000). Booking.com, Netflix, Xsolla, Zoom, Yandex and Adobe Systems make up the top ten. Foreign companies providing internet services in Uzbekistan have paid taxes in the country since 2020. Blogger and co-founder of the business publication Spot.uz Temurmalik Elmuradov notes that recently in Uzbekistan "the digital market is growing, and people's consumer habits are changing. There are more people willing to pay for movies and TV series rather than search for them on free online [movie sites]." In February, president Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a presentation on key strategic reforms for 2024, according to which over the past 10 years the volume of services in the telecom sector has grown 6.5 times -- and the coverage of the population with mobile internet has risen to 98%. As part of the reforms, among other things, there is a plan to give bandwidth providers direct access to the international internet channel. That means that an independent regulator of telecommunications should appear in the country by September 1. As of today, almost all Uzbek internet providers get access through the International Packet Switching Center of Uzbektelecom.

Internet

Kazakhstan Launches Online Safety Campaign

UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, launched the online safety campaign CYBER TUMAR in Kazakhstan on February 6th, to coincide with International Safer Internet Day. Created in partnership with UNICEF Kazakhstan and the European Union, CYBER TUMAR is a set of tools that helps young people to use the internet safely. These include posters explaining what to do when faced with various risks, materials with practical advice from IT experts, and educational videos. The campaign focuses on the main risks that children face while using the internet: cyberbullying, content that is inappropriate or banned, digital risks to safety and privacy, and internet addiction. “The internet is no longer only a means of gathering information but also of communicating. Therefore, people should be taught how best to use the internet’s communication capabilities to maximize its benefits and minimize its risks from an early age,” said Nasimzhan Ospanova, chairperson of Kazakhstan's Committee for the Protection of Children's Rights. “Conducting the CYBER TUMAR informational and educational campaign is an important and timely measure to help ensure children’s information security and strengthen parents’ responsibility to monitor their children’s access to information online.” Kestutis Jankauskas, the EU's ambassador to Kazakhstan, added: “The internet has become an integral part of our daily lives and will certainly be an even more important element for our children. As parents, we strive to ensure the safety of our children in various spheres – at school, on the street, and of course, in the digital world. We believe that our campaign will help raise awareness among both parents and children. Together, we can create a safe and enjoyable online space for all children.” “We hope that CYBER TUMAR will become a modern symbol of protection for Kazakhstani children from online threats,” said Laetitia Bazzi-Veil, a representative of UNICEF in Kazakhstan. “Every child makes not only real, but also first virtual steps. And it is very important to give a child protection as early as possible, which will help them to grow up safely in the digital space. CYBER TUMAR will contribute to better protect children from inappropriate content, contact and behavior on the internet.”

Internet EU Cooperation

EU’s €20M Project to Diversify Internet Resources in Kazakhstan with Satellite Communications

The European Union (EU) is set to contribute to the diversification of internet resources in Kazakhstan, as announced by Johannes Baur, the Head of the Cooperation Department of the EU Representative Office in Kazakhstan. This initiative is part of the EU's broader commitment to bolstering digital infrastructure and connectivity in Central Asia. "In Kazakhstan, internet traffic now comes from Russia and China," Baur said during a meeting organized by the Eurasian Foundation for Central Asia. He further explained the EU's proposition: "Our project wants to offer Kazakhstan the opportunity to use European satellite communications, a product of the European company, SES. For example, while Starlink satellites orbit the Earth in a low orbit, SES satellites orbit in a medium orbit. Satellites in medium orbit can cover the whole of Kazakhstan, which is an advantage. We can even cover the whole of Central Asia." This ambitious project has received approval from the European Commission and is set to be showcased at the Central Asia - European Union summit scheduled for 2024. Baur disclosed the initial funding earmarked for the project, stating, "First of all, the European Union will allocate 20 million euros, but this is the amount allocated to the whole of Central Asia. I think most of these funds will be directed to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The specific details are still unknown, but it will be a large loan from the European Investment Bank." This initiative aligns with the EU's ongoing efforts to diversify its supply chains and strengthen its relations with strategic partners like Kazakhstan. Moreover, it is expected to contribute significantly to the development of a secure and sustainable supply of digital resources across Central Asia.

Internet Telecommunication

Quality of Communications Checked in Multiple Regions

The results of monitoring the quality of mobile communications in the cities and districts of Nurek, Dangara, Vose and Kulyab were presented to the Head of the Communications Service of Tajikistan, Bek Sabur, who arrived on a working visit to the Khatlon region. His visit is connected to the implementation of a decree from the President of Tajikistan "On measures to expand non-cash payments." According to various sources, the level and quality of communications do not meet the requirements. The press service of the Tajik Communications Service reported that Sabur, together with specialists, tested mobile communications in Nurek, Dangar, Vos and Kulyab. "The main purpose of the trip is to determine the accuracy of coverage of base stations in populated areas and identify problems," the press service stated. As a result of the technical inspection, it transpired that not all areas meet the quality requirements for communications. In addition, operator coverage was weak in some places. "The management of the Communications Service ordered providers to install additional stations at the same time as updating the existing ones," the department noted, adding that Sabur held a meeting with the residents of Khatlon to get their opinion on the level and quality of mobile communications. Sabur's visit followed reports received from all over Tajikistan about the low quality of mobile operator services. Tajiks often complain about slow Internet and poor communication. One of the main reasons for this is the lack of infrastructure development. It is also affected by poor energy supply and insufficient development of modern communication technologies in the country. As a result, a significant part of the population has difficulty accessing the Internet. Another problem is the lack of investment in the country's telecommunications industry, although this is slowly being corrected. For example, Tajikistan and China recently signed an agreement that provides for the supply of Chinese equipment to the Republic, which will help improve the quality of the Internet. Tajikistan has also agreed to cooperate with two Russian companies - PITER IX and Digit – in this area. Sabur instructed officials and mobile companies to urgently eliminate the identified shortcomings in order to provide all regions with stable communications and Internet following the Presidential decree.

Internet China

Tajikistan to Connect to Chinese Internet

A new agreement has been reached between Tajikistan and China, which will bring the republic closer to having high-speed internet throughout the country after Tajikistan's Communications Service and a subsidiary of HUAWEI signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of digital technologies. This will lead to the supply and installation of 7,600 base stations with GSM/UMS/LTD/5G as standard, it was reported. “This will contribute to the development of mobile communications and fixed broadband networks in Tajikistan,” the regulator said in a statement. “At the same time, given the rapid development of information technology, this will allow operators to have instant access to the latest equipment.” The agreement also provides for cooperation and the involvement of personnel in the field of communications, mobile operators and Huawei Technology Tajikistan specialists in the development of a single modernization project. The agreement was signed by the Head of the Communications Service, Bek Saburov, and the CEO of Huawei's subsidiary, Ma Chan, as part of the State Program for the Improvement and Development of Mobile Communications in 2024-2028. Earlier, the Communications Service made the unexpected decision to allow two private companies to supply internet to the country through international channels. According to a Sputnik Tajikistan source, the companies are TT Mobile (MegaFon), and Indigo Tajikistan (Tcell).

Uzbekistan Internet Mass Media

Uzbekistan drafts bill toughening punishment for Internet users who call for protests

TASHKENT (TCA) — The government in Uzbekistan plans to toughen punishments for people using the Internet to organize or call for unsanctioned rallies, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reported citing a source close to the Uzbek government. Continue reading