On the outcomes of development of the sphere of communications and information in the Republic of Uzbekistan for over the first half of 2007

August 02, 2007

The session of the Board of the Uzbek Agency for Communication and Information took place in Tashkent. The session has addressed the outcomes of the work of companies in the sphere of communication and information for over the first half-year 2007. It has seen the discussion of the course of implementation of decrees and resolutions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and resolutions of the country’s government, as well as other issues within the scope of the Agency’s competence.

The speakers at the session have said that the development of information, massive introduction and the use of modern information and computer technologies, as well as telecommunications in all spheres of economy and public life, having the citizens’ growing needs for information fully satisfied, as well as expansion of the access to the world information resources were the main objectives in the ICT sphere development.

They have also underscored that by the end of the first half of 2007 the estimated number of Internet users has grown up to 1,835 million, that is to say, about 69 users per 1000 people in the country. The total access speed to international information networks now accounts for 239,144 Mbit/s. The number of economic entities, which provide with the access to the Internet has accounted for 693, of which the public access places – 579. The total number of the public access places to the Internet has made up 680.

Also, those, who spoke at the session, have said that during the said period the total profits of the sphere compare to the same period last year had increased by 46,5%, while the growth of volumes of the services rendered to the population – by twofold.

As of July 1 this year the total telephone density plus the users of mobile telephone services per 100 people has accounted for 20,7 telephones. The co-efficiency of use of the ATS installed capacity of the local telephone networks has increased up to 89,5%. The level of digitalization of the installed capacity has accounted for 76,4%. Besides, for over the first half of 2007 the number of users of mobile telephoning grew by 1024 thousand users and had accounted for 3744 thousand.

In line with the Program of services development for 2007-2010 for over the said period of time 319 sites of small entrepreneurship and service provider posts have been established in Uzbekistan (against the figure of 200, which was envisaged for 2007). Also, the project “Satellite television and radio broadcasting” has been implemented, which had allowed to cover with state television and radio broadcasting 100% of Uzbekistan’s population, including 367 far and difficult-to-reach residential areas.