Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The signing ceremony for agreements under the European satellite internet program for Central Asia (TEI Digital Connectivity) took place on 18 March at Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technologies.

The agreements were concluded between the European Union, the international technical cooperation agency Expertise France, the European satellite communications provider SES, and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The event was attended by EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Josef Sikela, Expertise France CEO Jérémy Pellet, as well as representatives from SES and the EIB.

"I am proud to sign this agreement with Expertise France. Together with our partners in Central Asia, we will work on improving policies and regulatory frameworks for satellite communications, ensuring transparent and affordable broadband internet, supporting local digital innovations, and strengthening cybersecurity. This will help create an open, secure, and accessible internet for all, including rural areas and vulnerable communities," Josef Sikela stated following the signing.

He also highlighted the importance of the agreement between the European Investment Bank and SES, a leading provider of satellite technology.

"Thanks to an EU grant and an EIB loan, SES will deploy satellite technologies and ground terminals to provide internet access in remote regions of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan," the commissioner emphasized.

Josef Sikela explained that the two key components—regulatory frameworks and infrastructure—are complementary. "Through joint efforts, we will strengthen Central Asia's digital resilience, support economic development, and promote social integration," he noted.

Before the signing, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, held a meeting with Josef Sikela, where the commissioner stressed that work on the regulatory environment for satellite internet had already begun.

"We are also ready to launch the infrastructure component of this initiative. This year, we plan to begin deploying ground-based satellite stations to provide digital connectivity in remote and sparsely populated areas," Sikela stated.

He paid special attention to Uzbekistan’s digital autonomy, noting that the country has been offered the opportunity to host a regional satellite gateway on its territory.

"Of course, building the gateway will require additional funding, which is not covered by the current project. However, this would grant Uzbekistan full digital independence, particularly in crisis situations, eliminating reliance on the infrastructure of neighboring countries," the EU commissioner explained.

Additionally, Sikela noted that if Uzbekistan hosts the satellite gateway, it could become a digital hub for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, as Kazakhstan already has its own infrastructure, while Turkmenistan is not participating in the project.