Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Perfectum is planning to deploy a nationwide 5G Standalone (SA) network in Uzbekistan, according to Finland’s state-owned export credit agency, Finnvera.

The company highlights that Uzbekistan, one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies, is entering the 5G era as the new operator Perfectum aims to establish a 5G Standalone (SA) network across the country. The equipment for the network will be supplied by Nokia, for which this represents a new 5G market. Finnvera has provided a buyer’s credit guarantee to facilitate the deliveries.

The Perfectum brand is owned by Rubicon Wireless Communication LLC. Over the next three years, the nationwide 5G network is expected to be built, after which the operator will launch full-scale operations. The implementation of this project will enable Perfectum to become a leading telecommunications provider in the country.

At the regional level, network construction will begin in Tashkent and its surrounding areas. In the next phase, the network will be expanded to the Fergana Valley and then to less populated regions of the country.

With a population of 37 million, Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia, where 40% of the population is under 25 years old. The country is rich in natural resources, and tourism is among its emerging economic sectors.

For Nokia, Uzbekistan represents a new 5G market. As part of the partnership, Nokia will provide Perfectum with a comprehensive 5G Standalone solution. The agreement between Perfectum and Nokia was announced on April 24, 2024.

“The first 5G Standalone network in Central Asia will accelerate Uzbekistan’s digital transformation, providing businesses and consumers with high-speed, low-latency communication services,” Nokia stated in its press release.

As the sole equipment provider, Nokia will supply Perfectum with a full suite of 5G Standalone (SA) solutions, including radio access, transport and core networks, as well as applications for network automation, service orchestration, mediation, and billing. This will streamline the technology implementation process and enhance operational efficiency.

Perfectum subscribers will benefit from high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity and nationwide voice services.

The deployment of the 5G network is a strategic investment in Uzbekistan’s future, aligning with the government’s digital transformation program and addressing the region’s growing demand for high-speed connectivity. Enhanced connectivity, increased capacity, and faster data transmission enabled by 5G will drive the development of remote work, telemedicine, smart cities, and new digital services across various industries, fostering a digital ecosystem and stimulating economic growth.

The financing for the project is provided by Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (Germany) through Uzpromstroybank (Uzbekistan), backed by a guarantee from Finnvera. The credit amount guaranteed by Finnvera is approximately 46 million euros, with a 95% coverage rate. Finnvera’s buyer’s credit guarantee facilitates Nokia’s equipment deliveries. Currently, the telecommunications sector is the second-largest segment in Finnvera’s export credit insurance portfolio, accounting for about one-fifth of the agency’s total export credit portfolio.