A new operator aims to build a nationwide 5G network in Uzbekistan – The market is new 5G market for network equipment supplier Nokia

Uzbekistan, one of the emerging economies of Central Asia, is entering the 5G era, as the new operator Perfectum aims to build a nationwide 5G Standalone (SA) network. The network is supplied by Nokia, for which the market area is new for 5G. Finnvera has granted a buyer's credit guarantee for the deliveries. 

The Perfectum brand is owned by Rubicon Wireless Communication LLC. The plan is to build a country-wide 5G network within three years, and that is when the operator's operations will start at full scale. With the project, Perfectum aims to become the country's leading telecom operator.

Regionally, the construction of networks is scheduled to launch in the capital city Tashkent and the surrounding region. In the next phase, the networks will be extended to the Fergana Valley area and after that to the less populated areas of the country. With a population of 37 million, Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia, with 40 percent of its population under 25 years old. Uzbekistan is a country rich in natural resources, and one of its emerging industries is tourism.

A project that will accelerate transformation in Central Asia

For network supplier Nokia, Uzbekistan is a new 5G market, and Nokia will provide a full end-to-end 5G standalone solution to Perfectum. Nokia and Perfectum announced their deal on April 24, 2024.

“First 5G standalone network in Central Asia will accelerate Uzbekistan’s digital transformation by providing high-speed, low-latency communication services to businesses and consumers”, says Nokia in its press release.

As sole supplier, Nokia will provide a full end-to-end 5G standalone (SA) solution to Perfectum – including radio access, transport, core networks, and applications of network automation, service orchestration, mediation and charging – and streamline the implementation process and maximize operational efficiency.  

Perfectum’s subscribers will be able to experience high-speed, low latency Internet connectivity services, as well as voice services with national coverage.

The 5G rollout is a strategic investment into the future of Uzbekistan, aligning with the government's digital transformation agenda and the increasing demand for high-speed connectivity in the region. Improved connectivity, higher capacity and data rates enabled by 5G will support several areas including remote working, telemedicine, and smart city initiatives, as well as new services and applications across industries, fostering a digital ecosystem and driving economic growth in the country.

The credit is issued by Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany through “Uzbek Industrial and construction bank”, Uzbekistan under Guarantee Commitment provided by the state export credit agency Finnvera. The amount of the credit guaranteed by Finnvera is approximately EUR 46 million and the percentage of cover is 95%. Finnvera's buyer credit guarantee enables Nokia’s deliveries. The telecommunications sector is currently the second largest of Finnvera's export credit guarantee operations, and the sector covers approximately a fifth of Finnvera's export credit guarantee exposure.