Uzbekistan Proposes Mandatory Mobile Tariffs Without Internet

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan has drafted a resolution requiring all mobile operators in the country to introduce plans without internet data. The document has been published for public discussion.

The proposal includes amendments to licensing requirements and rules governing the provision of telecommunications services, specifically for mobile communication. Under the new rules, operators would be required to offer subscribers plans that include only prepaid minutes for voice calls and/or SMS messages.

In addition, the draft regulation proposes banning the practice of linking plan names to the size of the subscription fee or the volume of included internet data, minutes, and SMS. If adopted, the new rules will come into force three months after approval, with oversight assigned to Minister of Digital Development Sherzod Shermatov.

According to the explanatory note, the current practice of including subscription fees in plan names—and subsequently increasing those fees—can mislead consumers and result in additional expenses. For example, in 2023, operator Mobiuz launched the Jozibali 35 and Jozibali 50 plans priced at 35,000 and 50,000 soums, respectively. However, starting from February 2025, the fees were raised to 45,000 and 55,000 soums. Many subscribers continued paying the old amounts, which automatically shifted them to more expensive daily plans without their knowledge.

Most modern plans include internet data by default, limiting consumer choice and increasing costs for users who only need calls and SMS—such as pensioners, school students, and those who do not use the internet. While operators Beeline and Oqmobile offer customizable plans, internet data remains a mandatory component.

The Ministry of Justice believes that introducing mandatory plans without internet will reduce consumer expenses and improve market transparency. The draft also takes into account international experience from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Croatia, where operators provide Talk & Text plans and flexible plan customization options.