"We have test-launched a CDMA-450 network in nine regions. Now that this project has been completed we can provide the whole of Uzbekistan with mobile phone services," Gafurbekova said.

Funding for the deployment was split between the mobile operator and the Chinese Bank for Development.

The operator has a second expansion phase worth US$2 million - with kit being supplied by Alcatel Lucent.

According to estimates from the Mobile World, Uzmobile ended the first quarter of this year with around 20,000 subscribers - representing a market share of just a third of a percentage point.