Tajikistan is moving forward with the creation of a national 5G consortium aimed at accelerating the rollout of 5G technology across the country. The initiative will involve the government’s Communication Service and mobile operators, working together to coordinate the implementation, standardize protocols, and speed up the nation’s digital transformation.
In an exclusive interview with Asia-Plus, Isfandiyori Sa’dullo, Head of the Communication Service under the Government of Tajikistan, discussed the objectives and goals of the new consortium, which is set to play a pivotal role in the country’s telecom future.
What is the purpose of the 5G consortium?
"The national 5G consortium will serve as the coordinating body between operators, eliminate the duplication of investments, and standardize technical parameters across the industry," said Sa’dullo. "It will enable joint management of the frequency spectrum, scale the rollout with fewer risks, and support the government’s broader digitalization policy, including the development of smart cities and attracting foreign investment."
He explained that while some operators have already launched 5G in limited areas, the consortium is necessary to avoid fragmentation due to different frequency bands and technical approaches. By centralizing efforts, the government aims to reduce infrastructure costs and expedite 5G coverage.
"The government is committed to ensuring that 5G deployment is in line with national strategies for digitalization, security, and spectrum distribution. The consortium provides a platform for this unified approach," Sa’dullo noted.
How will the consortium coordinate its work?
The consortium will oversee critical functions such as frequency distribution, radio frequency monitoring, site allocation, and the unity of interfaces. While operators will continue to develop their networks independently, they will be required to adhere to technical standards set by the consortium.
Sa’dullo emphasized that the consortium’s role is not to replace the existing deployments but to streamline, standardize, and scale them efficiently.
Will there be standardization across operators?
"Yes, standardization is a key part of the consortium’s work. It will include frequency bands, equipment specifications, common interfaces and protocols, as well as joint radio frequency monitoring to prevent interference," he confirmed.
What benefits will 5G bring to citizens and businesses?
The introduction of 5G is expected to significantly improve internet speeds for consumers, offering gigabit-level connections, reduced latency (crucial for gaming, video, and interactive services), and more reliable connections in areas with limited fixed-line access. Additionally, 5G will enable the development of smart city services, enhancing urban living and infrastructure.
For businesses, 5G promises to revolutionize operations by enabling IoT with high device density, facilitating remote control, augmented and virtual reality applications, and improving digital transformation efforts such as smart offices, logistics, drones, and autonomous systems.
Government sectors will benefit from enhanced digital public services, telemedicine, remote education, smart schools, real-time monitoring, public safety solutions, and interagency data exchange.
When will 5G be available to the public, and where will pilot zones be located?
Pilot zones for 5G are already operating in parts of Dushanbe and other major cities. In the next five years, Tajikistan plans to roll out 5G on a much larger scale, with 50% of the population expected to be covered by 5G networks.
What is the timeline for full commercial 5G deployment?
"Given the infrastructure challenges, investment needs, and coverage requirements, we expect full commercial deployment by the end of 2026," Sa’dullo said. "By 2030, widespread 5G coverage and use will be fully realized."
How will the 5G infrastructure be financed? Will foreign investors be involved?
Funding for the 5G rollout will come from a combination of operators’ own investments, government funding, international loans and grants, and partnerships with equipment manufacturers and technology companies.
With the new consortium in place, Tajikistan is poised to take a major step forward in its digital transformation, positioning itself as a leader in the region’s technological advancement.
