Uzbek state-backed operator Uzbektelecom has signed a contract with four Japanese companies – NTT, NEC, Toyota Tsusho and Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ) – to implement a telecommunications infrastructure development project under the ‘Digital Uzbekistan 2030’ digital economy programme. The four firms will provide equipment and services required for Uzbektelecom’s data centres in three major cities (Tashkent, Bukhara and Kokand), expansion of the telecommunications transport and data networks, as well as the international data communication network to significantly increase speed, capacity and quality of the infrastructure. Installation is scheduled to begin this year, a press release stated.
Nikkei Asia reports that Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and MUFG Bank will extend roughly JPY19.3 billion (USD148 million) in financing to Uzbektelecom to fund the project, split 60% JBIC/40% MUFG, with the latter’s portion insured by Nippon Export and Investment Insurance.