Residents complain about poor internet, authorities deny

On July 24, a semi-annual press conference of the Communications Service under the Government of Tajikistan was held in Dushanbe. The issues raised, particularly the high cost and poor quality of the internet, sparked numerous debates in society.

The leadership of the Communications Service informed journalists that internet and mobile communication services in Tajikistan are inexpensive, accessible, and residents can afford them.

In response to questions regarding the high cost of the internet and complaints from people about its low speed, officials merely stated that “these complaints are unfounded.”

Users on social media constantly complain about these issues. Users report that in some areas, the internet speed is so low that sending a voice message takes several minutes. However, representatives of the Communications Service denied all of this at the press conference. As evidence, they claimed that “tourists who come to Tajikistan shoot videos and publish them online and on social media without any problems.”

Earlier, the website Broadband Genie, in its report published in April, noted that the internet in Tajikistan is very expensive compared to the income of the population.

The head of the Communications Department of the Communications Service, Rafikjon Shokirov, called the reports from international organizations that pointed out the high cost of the internet in the country false and biased.

Information technology experts believe that the main reason for the expensive internet and mobile communication is the monopolization of the communications sector.

Since Bek Sabur, the relative of Emomali Rahmon, took over the Communications Service under the Government of Tajikistan, the quality of the internet has noticeably deteriorated, while prices have increased. The state company OJSC Tajiktelecom has been the sole importer of the internet for over 10 years.

In 2024, two companies received permission for partial internet import, but they have not yet taken advantage of this opportunity.

Tajikistan ranks last in Central Asia in terms of mobile internet accessibility.