BAKU, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
Uzbek Uzmobile and Ucell mobile operators, which started 5G test trials back in the fall of 2019, are continuing test trials, Trend reports with reference to the Ministry for the Development of Information Technologies and Communications of Uzbekistan.
According to the ministry, if until 2020, work was mainly carried out to expand mobile networks in Uzbekistan, now projects are being implemented to expand the coverage of the network and provide Internet services based on 3G / 4G technologies.
In particular, in 2020, 3,600 2G base stations were modernized according to 3G / 4G standards. In addition, 5,641 new stations were also installed and put into operation.
In addition, serious attention is paid to the implementation of the most advanced technological developments. So, since September 2019, two local mobile operators at once - Uzmobile and Ucell began test trials of 5G technology.
Then the maximum recorded speed was about 1 gigabit per second. Measurements using SpeedTest showed download speeds of up to 1,376 megabits per second.
The ministry noted that 5G in Tashkent is being tested at 15 base stations
It is reported that most of the population of Uzbekistan uses 2G and 3G, which account for 41 percent and 46 percent, respectively. At the same time, the 4G penetration rate amounts to 13 percent.
As for 5G, GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications) analysts expect this technology to appear in the country no earlier than 2024, while its penetration rate in 2025 will amount to 2 percent.
Moreover, according to the ministry, in 2020, prices for 1 gigabit mobile Internet service in Uzbekistan averaged 6-7 thousand soums ($0.57-$0.67). It was noted that work is underway to reduce prices for mobile Internet services in order to create convenience for the population.
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