LICENSING
The Telecommunications Regulatory Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the licensing authority in the field of telecommunications.
The licensing of activities of legal entities in the field of telecommunications is carried out in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Licensing, Permitting and Notification Procedures”, and the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 80 dated 21 February 2022 “On Approval of the Unified Regulation on Licensing Certain Types of Activities through a Special Electronic System”, specifically pursuant to Appendix 15 of the Unified Regulation entitled “Licensing Passport for Activities Related to the Design, Construction, Operation of Telecommunications Networks and Provision of Telecommunications Services”.
Submission of License Applications
Applications for obtaining a license submitted by applicants, together with the supporting documents, are accepted through the “License” Information System.
The Licensing Department of the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan is responsible for:receiving and processing license applications for activities in the telecommunications sector; organizing meetings of the Expert Group on Telecommunications Licensing; and preparing and issuing licenses.
Types of Activities Subject to Licensing in the Telecommunications Sector
The following activities related to the design, construction, operation of telecommunications networks, and the provision of telecommunications services are subject to licensing:
a) Design of local, long-distance, and international telecommunications networks;
b) Construction of local, long-distance, and international telecommunications networks;
c) Operation of local and long-distance telecommunications networks;
d) Provision of local and long-distance telecommunications services;
e) Operation of international telecommunications networks;
f) Provision of international telecommunications services;
g) Design of mobile radiotelephone (cellular) communication networks;
h) Construction of mobile radiotelephone (cellular) communication networks;
i) Design of mobile radiotelephone (radio telephone and trunked radio) communication networks and satellite communication networks within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
j) Construction of mobile radiotelephone (radio telephone and trunked radio) communication networks and satellite communication networks within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
k) Operation of mobile radiotelephone (radio telephone and trunked radio) communication networks and satellite communication networks within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
l) Provision of services through mobile radiotelephone (radio telephone and trunked radio) communication networks and satellite communication networks within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
m) Operation of mobile radiotelephone (cellular) communication networks and provision of related services;
n) Design of data transmission networks;
o) Construction of data transmission networks;
p) Operation of data transmission networks;
q) Provision of data transmission services;
r) Design of television and radio broadcasting (transmission) networks;
s) Construction of television and radio broadcasting (transmission) networks;
t) Operation of television and radio broadcasting (transmission) networks;
u) Provision of television and radio broadcasting (transmission) services.
Only legal entities are eligible to engage in telecommunications activities subject to licensing.
Validity Period of Licenses in the Telecommunications Sector
- The validity period of a license for the operation of television and radio broadcasting (transmission) networks and the provision of broadcasting (transmission) services is five (5) years
- The validity period of a license for the operation of mobile radiotelephone (cellular) communication networks and the provision of mobile communication services is fifteen (15) years.
- Licenses for all other types of activities subject to licensing are granted for an indefinite period.
Licensing for Data Transmission Networks and Broadcasting Distribution Networks
The Telecommunications Regulatory Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan grants, renews, and amends licenses for the design, construction, operation, and provision of services related to data transmission networks and television and radio broadcasting distribution networks, based on the decision of the Interagency Coordination Commission of the Cabinet of Ministers on Improving Information Activities and Enhancing the Efficiency of Data Transmission.
In accordance with the Regulation on the Procedure for the Competitive Allocation of Radio Frequencies and the Issuance of Individual Licenses for the Right to Conduct Activities in the Field of Television and Radio Broadcasting, approved by Resolution No. 592 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 20 December 2004, “On Measures to Ensure the Efficient Use of the Radio Frequency Spectrum in the Television and Radio Broadcasting Sector,” individual licenses granting the right to carry out activities related to the distribution (transmission) of television and radio broadcasting are issued through a competitive selection process. This requirement does not apply to enterprises whose principal activity is the production and distribution (transmission) of state television and radio programmes or to enterprises in which the state holds at least a 50 percent share in the authorized capital.
The decision to conduct a competitive selection process is made by the Interagency Coordination Commission of the Cabinet of Ministers on Improving Information Activities and Enhancing the Efficiency of Data Transmission, based on a proposal submitted by the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
To participate in the competitive selection process for the allocation of radio frequencies for terrestrial television and radio broadcasting activities, an applicant for a license shall submit an application, together with the following documents, to the Interagency Coordination Commission of the Cabinet of Ministers on Improving Information Activities and Enhancing the Efficiency of Data Transmission.
- documents confirming the qualifications of personnel directly involved in the provision of television and radio broadcasting (transmission) services (such as diplomas, certificates, and qualification certificates).
- a detailed broadcasting concept containing the applicant’s creative, technical, and financial proposals, including the planned broadcasting schedule, the volume of original television and radio programmes, and the commitments undertaken as part of the competitive selection process.
- a conclusion (opinion) issued by the competent authorities confirming that the television and radio broadcasting facility complies with the applicable security requirements.
- documents confirming the right to use equipment intended for the television and radio broadcasting organization where such equipment is owned by another person (e.g., a lease agreement or other relevant supporting documents).
Documents required for obtaining a license
a)Application (the application shall indicate the name and legal form of the legal entity, its postal address, the place where the licensed activity will be carried out, the name of the servicing bank and the bank account details, telephone number, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), e-mail address, the required license category and subcategory, the purpose of the application (issuance of a new license, reissuance, amendment, or extension of the license), as well as the applicant's confirmation of compliance with the licensing requirements and conditions) shall be completed through the “License” Information System at license.gov.uz.
b) For obtaining a license for the operation of telecommunications networks and (or) the provision of telecommunications services – information on the principal telecommunications equipment (owned or possessed on another lawful basis), a description of the services to be provided, the radio frequency bands and assigned frequencies, and the service area;
c) For obtaining a license for the design and (or) construction of telecommunications networks – a list of the technical equipment (owned or possessed on another lawful basis) required for carrying out the design and construction activities;
d) For obtaining a license for the operation of telecommunications networks and (or) the provision of telecommunications services – a network establishment and development plan (including, depending on the activities to be carried out, the information required in the prescribed form, the number of subscribers, long-distance gateways, international switching stations, data transmission systems and networks, the number of coverage areas, and other parameters relating to the specific telecommunications networks or facilities);
e) For obtaining a license for the provision of television and radio broadcasting (transmission) network services – the broadcasting concept;
f) For obtaining a license for the operation of and (or) the provision of services through television and radio broadcasting (transmission) networks – a conclusion issued by the competent authority confirming the facility's compliance with security requirements, or a copy of the agreement concluded for the security of the facility;
g) For obtaining a license for activities involving the use of radio communication equipment – information issued by the authority of the Republic of Uzbekistan responsible for the management and monitoring of the radio frequency spectrum, confirming the availability of the requested radio frequencies and containing the description, capacity, and technical characteristics of the transmitting equipment;
h) Where the use of equipment owned by another person is intended, a document confirming that such equipment has been leased or is being used on another lawful basis shall be submitted;
i) For obtaining the right to distribute foreign television and radio products within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan – a document (agreement) confirming the consent of the foreign mass media organization (or the copyright holder) for the distribution of the television and radio products.
A fee equal to one Basic Calculation Amount (BCA) shall be paid for the consideration of an application submitted for obtaining a license.
Time limits for the review of a license application.
An application for obtaining a license shall be reviewed by the licensing authority, and a decision shall be made within ten (10) working days.
Where the licensing procedure requires coordination with the Interagency Coordination Commission of the Cabinet of Ministers on Improving Information Activities and Enhancing the Efficiency of Data Transmission, the review period shall be twenty-five (25) working days.
Requirements and conditions to be complied with by legal entities when carrying out licensed activities.
a separate license shall be issued for each type of licensed activity:
a) compliance by the licensee with the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of telecommunications;
b) ensuring the certification of telecommunications equipment in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
c) ensuring that the services provided comply with the established quality standards;
d) ensuring the existence of arrangements for network interconnection, access by other operators and providers to its network, as well as the terms, conditions and procedures for mutual settlements between them;
e) ensuring the availability of technical protocols and network interconnection specifications, the network numbering plan, and the technical characteristics for the use of telecommunications facilities;
f) compliance with special requirements for ensuring the operation of telecommunications facilities in the interests of national security and defense, law enforcement authorities, and during the conduct of particularly important socio-political events;
g) providing customers, through official websites, with information on the terms of service, tariffs and reference information, including publication of television broadcasting schedules in the mass media;
h) ensuring the confidentiality of telephone conversations, telegraph communications and other messages transmitted through telecommunications networks, information security, including the security of telecommunications facilities and infrastructure*;
i) preparing telecommunications networks for the installation and operation of equipment required in emergency situations, as well as for operational-search activities, and ensuring the functioning of such equipment*;
j) participating in the implementation of national telecommunications development programmes aimed at addressing nationwide objectives;
k) complying with the requirements for environmental protection, protection of human health, occupational safety, labor protection, fire safety, and industrial sanitation;
l) submitting information on the licensed activity to the licensing and supervisory authority;
m) granting benefits and privileges in the use of telecommunications services in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
n) for the provision of television and radio broadcasting (transmission) services, obtaining state registration (or re-registration) as a mass media outlet with the competent authority*;
o) for obtaining a license for the design and (or) construction of telecommunications networks – employing at least two specialists with higher technical education and at least three years of work experience in the design and construction of telecommunications networks on behalf of a legal entity;
p) complying with the requirements of the legislation on copyright and related rights in the distribution of television and radio content and Internet content.
Requirements and conditions marked with an asterisk () shall be considered gross violations if breached.*
Additional Requirements and Conditions for Individual Licenses
q) mandatory provision of services by licensees to users in rural areas, sparsely populated areas, and remote districts;
r) ensuring the provision of universal services at the established tariffs, including in rural areas, sparsely populated areas, and remote districts;
s) providing access to public telecommunications networks on a fair and non-discriminatory basis;
t) a forecast plan for the development of the public telecommunications network (including coverage of the designated territory, increase in transmitter capacity, increase in the number of subscribers, and other development indicators);
u) when providing television and radio broadcasting (transmission) network services, operating within the territory specified in the license and broadcasting on the assigned radio frequency;
v) when providing television and radio broadcasting (transmission) and data transmission network services, complying with the requirements of information security and the national legislation governing the mass media sector.
State duty amounts for licensing activities in the telecommunications sector:
a) design of local, long-distance and international telecommunications networks — 15 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
b) construction of local, long-distance and international telecommunications networks — 15 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
c) operation of local and long-distance telecommunications networks — 30 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
d) provision of local and long-distance telecommunications network services — 30 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
e) operation of international telecommunications networks — 500 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
f) provision of international telecommunications network services — 800 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
g) design of mobile radiotelephone (cellular) communication networks — 200 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
h) construction of mobile radiotelephone (cellular) communication networks — 400 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
i) design of mobile radiotelephone (radiotelephone, trunked radio) and satellite communication networks within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan — 10 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
j) construction of mobile radiotelephone (radiotelephone, trunked radio) and satellite communication networks within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan — 20 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
k) operation of mobile radiotelephone (radiotelephone, trunked radio) and satellite communication networks within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan — 30 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
l) provision of services through mobile radiotelephone (radiotelephone, trunked radio) and satellite communication networks within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan — 80 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
m) operation of mobile radiotelephone (cellular) communication networks and provision of their services — 140,000 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA) *(where mobile virtual network operators (providers) provide mobile radiotelephone (cellular) communication network services — 25,000 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA));
n) design of data transmission networks — 2 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
o) construction of data transmission networks — 4 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
p) operation of data transmission networks — 6 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
q) provision of data transmission network services — 30 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
r) design of television and radio broadcasting (transmission) networks — 20 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
s) construction of television and radio broadcasting (transmission) networks — 20 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
t) operation of television and radio broadcasting (transmission) networks — 150 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA);
u) provision of television and radio broadcasting (transmission) network services — 150 times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA).
The amount of the state duty shall be determined on the basis of the annual amount, calculated by multiplying the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA) established on the date of payment of the state duty. The state duty shall be paid annually in the prescribed amounts.
The next annual payment shall be made at least 30 days before the beginning of the next year of validity of the license. If the next payment is not made within the prescribed period, the validity of the license shall be suspended.
** If, during the financial year preceding the period for payment of the next annual state duty, the value of the mobile radiotelephone (cellular) communication network services provided by a mobile virtual network operator (provider) exceeds 1.5 million times the Basic Calculation Amount (BCA), an additional state duty for the type of activity specified in subparagraph "m" shall be established in the amount of 1 percent of the value of the mobile radiotelephone (cellular) communication network services provided.
A license shall not be required in the telecommunications sector in the following cases (activities):
where the total number of subscribers to pay television services does not exceed 10;
where the cable television network and the wired radio broadcasting network are limited to the building and (or) territory of a single institution, educational establishment, hotel, or industrial enterprise;
where a legal entity provides local, long-distance and international telephone communication services at public service facilities and along highways using telephone numbers allocated by operators, provides payphone services, and transmits (and receives) information by fax;
where the activity is related to the elimination of the consequences of natural disasters, epidemics, or major accidents that pose a threat to the life and health of the population and require rescue and emergency recovery operations, as well as to the establishment and operation of telecommunications networks intended exclusively for public administration, defense, security, and law enforcement purposes;
where local, radiotelephone and data transmission networks are used in the provision of services relating to the principal activity exclusively for the entity's own production and technological process and (or) for signal transmission purposes, without providing telecommunications services relating to such activities to third parties;
where payment system operators, payment organizations, banks and non-bank credit institutions, as well as e-commerce platform operators, use data transmission networks and provide services in the course of their principal activities;
where Internet access services (Internet cafés) are provided through the networks of data transmission operators and providers without establishing their own telecommunications network.
The applicant/licensee shall, in accordance with the established procedure, have the right to appeal the following decisions of the licensing authority:
against the decisions and documents of the licensing authority;
against the actions (inaction) of its officials.
The applicant/licensee shall submit a complaint:
to the superior authority of the licensing authority operating at the territorial level;
in respect of the licensing authority operating at the republican level, to the Appeals Council established within that authority for the consideration of complaints.
The applicant/licensee shall have the right, in accordance with the established procedure, to appeal directly to the court against the decision of the licensing authority, as well as against the actions (inaction) of its officials.
In accordance with the legislation, a complaint may also be submitted to other competent authorities.
Contact information of the Licensing Department of the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan:
Address: 114A Makhtumkuli Street, Yashnabad District, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan
Tel.: (+998 55) 588-80-81, (+998 55) 588-80-82
E-mail: info@uztra.uz
