Communications service promises to lower Internet prices

The Communications Service intends to improve the speed of the Internet in Tajikistan and reduce its prices. This was announced by the Deputy Head of the Tajikistan Communications Service, Ilhom Atoev, at a press conference today, January 30.

According to him, the Communications Service intends to address this issue on the basis of the president’s order to develop the communications sector, provide high-speed Internet, reduce its cost and attract investors to this area.

Earlier, Emomali Rahmon expressed dissatisfaction with the quality and speed of the Internet in the country. In his address to parliament, the president said, “Where do mostly tourists go? Wherever there is good internet”.

Then he instructed the Communications Service, together with mobile operators and Internet service providers to take the necessary measures to improve the quality and reduce the cost of mobile communications and the Internet.

According to Ilhom Atoev, a permanent staff of specialists and industry engineers was created.

“The Communications Service, together with mobile companies, has a specific development plan. At the moment, employees of the Service are busy studying the issue of Internet coverage in cities and regions of the country,” he said.

According to him, Beg Sabur, head of the Communications Service, is on a working trip to GBAO to determine the quality of the Internet.

“Now he is in Murghab, where in most places only 2G is available. We are studying the situation. I myself am leaving for Sughd region after the press conference,” Ilhom Atoev told reporters.

According to him, according to the plan, 450 base stations for 4G should arrive in Tajikistan in the near future.

“In the first phase of infrastructure development alone, 500 base stations are needed across the country. The problem is that most people prohibit putting base stations near their homes. Accordingly, due to the fact that the population is not in contact, the quality of the Internet suffers,” Atoev said.

The deputy head of the SS promised that in the near future, prices for the Internet will be reduced by conducting alternative routes – this issue is being studied by economists.

Private mobile operators generated 2.9 billion TJS ($282m) in revenues in 2022. In 2021, revenues were $265m. Internet users totalled 4.5m.

By the way, the Communications Service recalled that, according to a government decree, the deadline for re-registration of SIM-cards will expire on February 15, 2023.

To date, 5.558 million mobile subscribers in Tajikistan have reregistered, but more than two million SIM cards of operators have not yet been registered, of which 882 thousand are active.