The Board of Communication and Information Agency of Uzbekistan (UzCIA) concluded the first half of 2008 development of communication and information technologies (ICT) in Uzbekistan.

Chiefs of departments and regional administrations of the agency, stock companies, enterprises and organizations specializing in communication and information sphere took part in the board meeting. Regional enterprises entering into the UzCIA system participated in the meeting by means of video conferencing.

As the Deputy General Director UzCIA, Asadjon Hodjaev, informed, since January, 2008 the communication and ICT enterprises have offered 614.5 billion soums worth services that is 58.5% more that of 2007. Here, almost half of services fell onto the population. This figure, in comparison with that of 2007, has increased by 32%.

Comparing with the first half of 2007 the rise of communication services volumes has the following indices: intercity and international phone-calls increased by 11.6%; parcels – 3.8%; money transfer – 1.0%.

The quantity of fixed phones grew by 15300 numbers for the first six month and by July 1, 2008 made 1.82 mln. The digitization level of dial central offices is 86%.

One of the most developing ICT segments is mobile phone services. Today the quantity of its subscribers has exceeded 9 million against 5.8 million in January 1, 2008. The level of its penetration is also growing fast and has reached 33 subscribers for 100 inhabitants.

Development of national internet sector of the republic is carried out according to the Computerization, Information and Communication Technologies Development Program for 2002-2010, approved by the government of the country. By July 1, 2008 the number of enterprises specializing in data transfer, including, internet providers has reached 829, total number of collective internet use points is 837.

The aggregate speed of use of international information networks has reached 362 Mbit/s. The number of internet users has made 2.21 million that is 81 users for 1000 citizens. Today the quantity of the second-level domains, registered in UZ zone, has exceeded 7000. By the beginning of this year there were 5766 domains – an increase of about 22%.

A certain work has been done on development and introduction of electronic document circulation system, as well as work on increase of software development, production and its export in various directions. Particularly, 3 centers for registration of electronic digital signature keys (EDS) are registered and today the quantity of keys and EDS key certificates has made almost 13000.

Uzbekistan has developed a comprehensive legal framework regulating use of EDS, including normative base on confirmation of these documents’ authenticity, maintenance of data protection, national standards, recommendations on introduction of electronic document circulation system into khokimiats (city halls) and state bodies.

The UzCIA Board meeting paid a great attention to further development of local telecommunications networks, modernization and further development of TV-radio broadcasting infrastructure and prospects of introduction of new technologies and services.

"Uzbekistan Today"