It is worth mentioning that during the period from 2005 till 2008 the Internet subscribers growth rate in the region was decreasing twice every year, and average yearly growth amounted 53%. In 2007 Internet penetration level was 8%, by the end of 2008, it increased by 1% up to 9%.

By the end of 2008, the subscriber base of Residential and Corporate Broadband in the Central Asian countries reached 450,000 and 78,000 respectively with penetration levels of 3.5% and 2.8%, Json & Partners said.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are the leaders in total Broadband subscriber base: by the end of 2008 they reached 300,000 and 135,000 accordingly. Turkmenistan takes the last position with not more than 7,000 subscribers in 2008. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have 82% of the total subscriber base, with the other three countries have 18% of the total Broadband subscribers in the region.

In 2007 the revenues in the region reached US$148 million, with a 140% growth. By the end of 2008 the Broadband revenue reached US$175 million, while the revenue growth rate was 18%. This tendency emerged due to the world financial crisis.

The Residential and Corporate Broadband ARPU dynamic in the region has continued to decrease. In 2007 Residential Broadband ARPU in the region amounted US$47.77, but in 2008 it decreased down to US$26.6. The Corporate Broadband ARPU in the region amounted US$84.7 in 2007, but in 2008 it decreased down to US$72.6, Json & Partners said.

For 2009, according to Json & Partners estimations, the Internet subscriber base will increase with 900,000 to reach 6.6 million subscribers and a penetration level of 10% by the end the year, Json & Partners said.