Perfectum Mobile Expands 5G in Tashkent

Uzbekistan’s 5G Revolution: Perfectum Mobile Charts a Digital Course for Central Asia
The digital landscape of Central Asia is undergoing a seismic shift, and Uzbekistan is at the helm of this transformation. On May 2, 2025, Perfectum Mobile, a subsidiary of Rubicon Wireless Communication, announced a bold expansion of its 5G standalone (SA) network in Tashkent, adding two new base stations to its infrastructure. This move isn’t just about faster internet—it’s a strategic play to position Uzbekistan as a regional leader in connectivity. With ambitions to cover 50% of the population by year-end and achieve nationwide coverage within two years, Perfectum is steering the country toward a future where high-speed, low-latency 5G becomes as ubiquitous as the Silk Road once was.
For a nation where mobile penetration has skyrocketed from 12% in 2000 to over 85% today, this leap to 5G SA is the logical next step. Perfectum, founded in 1995, has evolved from a scrappy startup to a telecom titan, mirroring Uzbekistan’s own economic resurgence. The company’s partnerships with global heavyweights like Nokia and Qvantel underscore the project’s scale: Nokia is the sole infrastructure provider, deploying cutting-edge radio access, transport, and core networks. As Dr. Rolf Werner of Nokia puts it, “This isn’t just about towers—it’s about building an automated, orchestrated digital nervous system for an entire country.”

The 5G Infrastructure: More Than Just Speed

Perfectum’s 5G SA rollout is a masterclass in future-proofing. Unlike non-standalone (NSA) networks that piggyback on 4G infrastructure, SA networks operate on dedicated 5G cores, enabling ultra-low latency (under 10ms) and network slicing—a game-changer for industries like telemedicine and smart logistics. The two new Tashkent base stations are just the beginning; Nokia’s equipment will eventually blanket the country, with commercial services launching in Q4 2024.
But infrastructure is only half the battle. Perfectum’s fixed-wireless service, introduced in April 2025, offers a glimpse of the pricing strategy driving adoption: 1 Gbps for UZS 250,000/month (~$20). For context, that’s 30% cheaper than South Korea’s average 5G plan. By bundling routers with subscriptions, Perfectum is removing barriers to entry—a critical move in a country where median incomes hover around $300/month.

Economic Ripples: From Connectivity to Prosperity

Uzbekistan’s GDP growth has averaged 6% since 2017, but 5G could supercharge this trajectory. The World Bank estimates that a 10% increase in mobile broadband penetration boosts GDP per capita by 0.8% in emerging markets. Perfectum’s expansion aligns with Tashkent’s “Digital Uzbekistan 2030” strategy, which targets $1 billion in annual IT exports by decade’s end.
Consider the multiplier effects:
– Healthcare: Remote surgeries via 5G-connected robotics could bridge urban-rural care gaps.
– Agriculture: IoT sensors in cotton fields (a $3 billion industry) could optimize water usage, saving 20% of resources.
– Education: VR classrooms could reach 9 million students, addressing teacher shortages in remote areas.
The digital divide remains stark—only 67% of rural areas have 4G today—but 5G’s scalability offers a fix. Perfectum’s phased rollout prioritizes economic hubs first, creating a “lighthouse effect” to attract FDI. Already, Korean tech firms are scouting Tashkent for data center investments, lured by the combo of cheap energy and nascent 5G ecosystems.

Geopolitical Currents: A Central Asian Tech Hub?

Uzbekistan’s 5G push isn’t happening in a vacuum. Neighbors like Kazakhstan (backed by Huawei) and Azerbaijan (partnering with Ericsson) are racing to digitize, but Perfectum’s Nokia deal offers a strategic advantage: Western-aligned tech avoids the scrutiny facing Chinese equipment. This could position Uzbekistan as a neutral hub for cross-border data flows, especially with the planned “Digital Silk Road” fiber links to Pakistan and Iran.
Yet challenges loom. Energy grids need upgrades to power 5G’s voracious base stations, and cybersecurity frameworks are still nascent. Perfectum’s collaboration with Qvantel on cloud-native billing systems hints at preparations for IoT-scale security threats.
Land Ho: A Connected Future on the Horizon
Perfectum’s 5G voyage is more than a telecom upgrade—it’s Uzbekistan’s ticket to the digital big leagues. By marrying affordable access with industrial applications, the country is crafting a blueprint for how emerging economies can leapfrog legacy tech. The road ahead has hurdles, from energy demands to rural inclusion, but the payoff could redefine Central Asia’s economic map.
As Tashkent’s skyline bristles with new antennas, one thing’s clear: Uzbekistan isn’t just adopting 5G; it’s harnessing it to rewrite its destiny. For investors and citizens alike, the message is simple—all aboard, because this ship is sailing fast.