Sabur Beg did not allow an increase in internet prices?

The Communications Service under the Government of Tajikistan has opposed the decision of mobile operators to increase the cost of mobile communication and internet services.

This agency, headed by Beg Sabur and responsible for regulating internet supply in the country, stated in its announcement that the increase in tariffs and the cost of mobile communication and internet services contradicts the goals of Emomali Rahmon and called on mobile operators to cancel their decision.

The announcement from the country’s communications service noted that these actions by mobile operators have caused a negative reaction in society, particularly on social media, and have a detrimental impact on the economic and social situation of the community.

“At the same time, the increase in the cost of mobile communication services is an obstacle to the implementation of important measures for the transition to cashless payments,” the Communications Service stated.

The Communications Service emphasized that it will not allow an increase in the cost and prices of mobile communication tariffs, and the entire economic and technical potential of mobile operators will be directed towards expanding the regions with mobile network coverage, improving the quality of mobile communication services, and reducing the cost and prices of mobile communication services.

On January 22, 2024, it was reported that some mobile operators in Tajikistan informed their subscribers via SMS messages that prices for mobile communication services, including internet packages and minutes, would increase starting February 1 of the current year.

However, the Communications Service urged subscribers to ignore the received messages about the increase in the cost of mobile communication services and to continue using their tariffs at the current price.

Representatives of mobile operators did not comment on the statement from the Communications Service. However, a representative of one of the mobile companies in Tajikistan told Radio Ozodi on the condition of anonymity that they decided to raise the cost of their services due to the increase in electricity prices, as the authorities of Tajikistan raised electricity prices again starting January 1, 2024.

It should be noted that residents of various regions of the country and even the capital constantly complain about the low internet speed and high costs.

Earlier, President Rahmon criticized the high prices and poor quality of the internet in his address on December 23, 2022, and instructed his relative Beg Sabur, head of the Communications Service under the Government of Tajikistan, which has monopolized the supply and provision of internet for over 20 years, to take measures to address these issues.

After this criticism, Beg Sabur apparently took action and signed several contracts with Chinese and Russian companies to improve the quality and speed of the internet, and also instructed representatives of the country’s mobile operators to identify the reasons for the low internet speed, report back to him as soon as possible, and resolve them.

Experts believe that it was after Beg Sabur took over the Communications Service that this sector stopped developing. Under his leadership, Tajikistan worsened its positions in global rankings for internet speed and cost.