Currency code:
UZS
Exchange rates:
Uzbekistani soum per US dollar - 1,219.58 (2006), 1,020 (2005),
971.265 (2004), 771.029 (2003), 423.832 (2002)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Uzbekistan
Telephones - main lines in use:
1,717,100 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.1 million (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: antiquated and inadequate; in serious need of
modernization
domestic: the main line telecommunications system is dilapidated;
the state owned telecom company, Uzbektelecom, is using a US$110
million loan from the Japanese government to improve main line
services; mobile services are growing swiftly, with the subscriber
base doubling in 2005 to 1.1 million; there are six main cellular
providers currently in operation
international: country code - 998; linked by landline or microwave
radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased
connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the
completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE)
fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan will be independent of Russian
facilities for international communications; Inmarsat also provides
an international connection, albeit an expensive one; satellite
earth stations - NA (1998)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 3 (2006)
Radios:
10.8 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 8 1 cable rebroadcaster in Tashkent; approximately 20 stations in regional capitals (2003)