Uzbekistan Plans Test Launch of Satellite Internet in 2026

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan plans to conduct a test launch of satellite internet in 2026, according to Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, who spoke on March 27 at the international forum Digital Qazaqstan 2026 in Shymkent.

Over the past nine years, the country has achieved significant progress in digital transformation: broadband coverage has increased from 41% to 99.5%, and network capacity has grown fortyfold.

The prime minister noted that the test launch of satellite internet will enable connectivity in remote and hard-to-reach areas. A package of tax incentives will be provided for operators.

Aripov also highlighted that consolidating e-government systems into a unified data center has already saved 30% of the national budget.

Currently, the deployment of a large computational cluster is nearing completion. This cluster will form the backbone of Uzbekistan’s national artificial intelligence infrastructure, enabling pilot projects to transition into industrial applications.

Among promising initiatives, the government has identified a portfolio of 100 AI projects. As an example, the Prime Minister cited the copper enrichment plant No. 3 of AGMK, where a digital system integrates over 60 subsystems and 20,000 sensors to analyze production chains in real time.

To support systematic development, the Artificial Intelligence Alliance has been established, alongside 19 scientific and educational laboratories. The country hosts around 800 startup projects, 60 of which are already exporting their products.

The total capital of venture funds has reached US$350 million, and the estimated value of the entire startup ecosystem is $4 billion, compared to just $1 million a decade ago.

As a result of these digital advancements, Uzbekistan has been ranked 9th globally in government digital maturity by the World Bank.