resources to building a sizable academic and research network (UzSCINET), and to
launch an ambitious project to provide Internet to the main government institutions
(Cabinet of Ministers and presidency). After 2001, Uzbekistan continued to receive
sizable foreign support aimed at developing its ICT infrastructure, including a large
network of Internet access points in the regions. Uzbek government officials at all
levels were sent abroad to study e-government systems and ICT. Until 2001–2002, the
Internet remained open and free from filtering, with the exception of some limited
filters for pornography that were implemented on UzSCINET.
The turning point in the state’s relationship to Internet freedom began following
a series of attacks in Tashkent in 2004 blamed on the Hizb-ut-Tahrir (Hit) and the
Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. These attacks have been generally associated with a
deepening crackdown on Uzbek society that encompasses all forms and channels of
dissent, including the Internet.
Internet in Uzbekistan
Uzbektelecom JSC has retained the status of a legal monopoly on services of access to
international telecommunication networks, including the use of VoIP technologies.
According to the government resolution, monopoly status will be retained after privatization of Uzbektelecom JSC (at present the state owns 94 percent of Uzbektelecom).
As a result, operators and providers are entitled to access international telecommunication networks exclusively through the infrastructure of Uzbektelecom JSC, which
facilitates control over Internet content and hinders active competition on the
communications market. Uzbektelecom dominates around 90 percent of the fixed market and owns 14 regional and five specialist subsidiaries, which include the national
Internet (UzPAK) and a mobile operator. 5
The legal regime permits competition of the services providing Internet access. The
number of ISPs in Uzbekistan has grown considerably: from 25 in 1999 to 539 in 2005.
Because of increased legal requirements for operation, the number of ISPs dropped
to 430 in 2006 but subsequently increased to 859 as of April 2009. 6 There are seven
top-tier ISPs with connections to China, Russia, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Uzbekistan’s telecommunications infrastructure supporting Internet access is quite
robust compared to neighboring countries. The backbone is connected to the TransAsia-Europe Fiber-Optic Communications Line (TAE FOCL), which links China and
Europe and has several offshoots. The country also has a network of microwave radio
relay lines that provide high-speed data transmission. 7 The sole Internet exchange
point, Tas-IX, used by 26 ISPs, 8 is located in Uzbek Central Telegraph’s premises. 9
As of January 2007, the digital communication network in Uzbekistan covered 100
percent of cities, towns, and regional centers. 10 Telecommunication networks (including 89 percent of digital ones) covered 93 percent of rural settlements. 11 The number
Uzbekistan
267
launch an ambitious project to provide Internet to the main government institutions
(Cabinet of Ministers and presidency). After 2001, Uzbekistan continued to receive
sizable foreign support aimed at developing its ICT infrastructure, including a large
network of Internet access points in the regions. Uzbek government officials at all
levels were sent abroad to study e-government systems and ICT. Until 2001–2002, the
Internet remained open and free from filtering, with the exception of some limited
filters for pornography that were implemented on UzSCINET.
The turning point in the state’s relationship to Internet freedom began following
a series of attacks in Tashkent in 2004 blamed on the Hizb-ut-Tahrir (Hit) and the
Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. These attacks have been generally associated with a
deepening crackdown on Uzbek society that encompasses all forms and channels of
dissent, including the Internet.
Internet in Uzbekistan
Uzbektelecom JSC has retained the status of a legal monopoly on services of access to
international telecommunication networks, including the use of VoIP technologies.
According to the government resolution, monopoly status will be retained after privatization of Uzbektelecom JSC (at present the state owns 94 percent of Uzbektelecom).
As a result, operators and providers are entitled to access international telecommunication networks exclusively through the infrastructure of Uzbektelecom JSC, which
facilitates control over Internet content and hinders active competition on the
communications market. Uzbektelecom dominates around 90 percent of the fixed market and owns 14 regional and five specialist subsidiaries, which include the national
Internet (UzPAK) and a mobile operator. 5
The legal regime permits competition of the services providing Internet access. The
number of ISPs in Uzbekistan has grown considerably: from 25 in 1999 to 539 in 2005.
Because of increased legal requirements for operation, the number of ISPs dropped
to 430 in 2006 but subsequently increased to 859 as of April 2009. 6 There are seven
top-tier ISPs with connections to China, Russia, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Uzbekistan’s telecommunications infrastructure supporting Internet access is quite
robust compared to neighboring countries. The backbone is connected to the TransAsia-Europe Fiber-Optic Communications Line (TAE FOCL), which links China and
Europe and has several offshoots. The country also has a network of microwave radio
relay lines that provide high-speed data transmission. 7 The sole Internet exchange
point, Tas-IX, used by 26 ISPs, 8 is located in Uzbek Central Telegraph’s premises. 9
As of January 2007, the digital communication network in Uzbekistan covered 100
percent of cities, towns, and regional centers. 10 Telecommunication networks (including 89 percent of digital ones) covered 93 percent of rural settlements. 11 The number
Uzbekistan
267