In 2011, communication and information services, along with transport, trade and food, utilities and finance services, entered the top five most demanded services in Uzbekistan. According to official figures, their share was 6.4% of the total 41 trillion soums (Exchange rate of CB 1USD-1839,40 soums).

Official statistics recorded that the number of employees of enterprises and organizations in this field makes 0.8% of total employment in the economy. In 2011 the enterprises of communication and information services have been granted 2.6 trillion soums.

The analysis of the structure of service of public communication organizations (postal offices, telegraphs, intercity and international telephone, rural and urban lines, mobile service, data transmission network, Internet access, transmission and reception of television, radio and satellite communication, special and field communication, registration, control and protection of radio frequencies) is the leader among three sectors. Those include cellular communications with a share of more than 70%, long distance and international (more than 11%) and the Internet (more than 5%). The main consumer of mobile services and the Internet is the population.

Forecasts for the near future, according to the expectations of analysts suggest dynamic development of the Internet segment. According to the Uzbek Agency for Communication and Information, by the beginning of 2012 there were 8.8 million Internet users registered. In order to create favorable conditions for development of Internet services the cost of online channels for operators and service providers decreased by 2.9 times.

Other figures were announced as well. At the beginning of 2012 the number of businesses for data transmission, including providing services to connect to the Internet, has reached 945, the total number of links for collective use – 1,053.

Investments set the tone for dynamic development of communication and information. In 2011, $266.7 million were involved in projects implemented by means of foreign direct investment and loans. In addition, 72.3 billion soums of own funds of enterprises have been spent, the company informed.

Investment activity in the renewal of cellular technology and communications, giving the rhythm of modern life, suggests that this trend will continue in the coming years.

Over the past few years, the main object of interest of foreign capital, as statistics show, is the communication sphere in Uzbekistan. The main directions are development of communications infrastructure, expansion of the national segment of the Internet, computerization, software industry and so on. The driving force of the market are mobile companies that are actively upgrading and developing their networks.

In 2012, the leading mobile operators - Russian Company VimpelCom, MTS, and TeliaSonera UTA Holding BV (Netherlands) - are going to invest over $118 million in upgrading of equipment. This year\'s program of contractual construction works of the Uzbek Agency for Communication and Information included five projects implemented at their own expense in the amount of 90.7 billion soums. Construction works will cost 15.7 billion soums. One of the major investment projects, which accounts for more than a third of capital investment (30.1 billion soums), involves modernization and development of local networks of telecommunications of joint-stock company Uzbektelecom by the technology of next generation networks NGN.

Experts explained that NGN\'s basis is a high-speed packet communication and the telephony service is just one of the constituent elements of the package of the complete set. The cellular system will be enhanced by Uzdunrobita, and a branch of Uzmobile; over 172 kilometers of fiber-optic line Baisun-Denau and Urgut-Shahrisabz will be constructed.

Permanent updating of high-tech industry can create the basis for further development of many types of services. A new impetus to this market segment gives the Decree by the Cabinet of Ministers of February 1, 2911 \"On measures to create conditions for further development of computerization and information and communication technologies in the field\". The decision of the government expanded the list of basic public services, which are available online. Today, almost all public authorities of the republic have their sites on the Internet.

These online resources are efficient sources of information. 195 basic online public services on which users can get more than 450 types of services in various state institutions have been approved.

In particular, a visitor of the Ministry of Finance website can obtain information on the order of forming and approval of tariffs for public utilities, the State Tax Committee website provides information on the results of audits of individual entrepreneurs, while UzACI informs on national software developers, etc.

The requirements for the minimum level of computer literacy are adopted within the framework of the Decree by the Cabinet of Ministers of October 27, 2011 \"On additional measures to improve qualifications and skills of employees of state and economic management, state authorities in the field and the order of their certification for use of computer and information and communication technologies\".(Source: UzReport.com)