Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- VEON Ltd., a global digital operator that provides converged connectivity and services, today announces that it completed high speed internet access project for the express rail connection between Uzbekistan’s capital city Tashkent and its second largest city Samarkand.

The project has been implemented by Beeline Uzbekistan, VEON’s digital operator in the country, in cooperation with the Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications Development. The development will also address mobile internet access for major tourist areas including the newly opened "The Great Silk Road" centre in Samarkand that was recently opened by Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. 

Beeline Uzbekistan has ensured that rail journeys to Samarkand, and within the city itself, residents and tourists can enjoy the high-speed 4G connectivity and digital services. The operator has installed and upgraded about 40 base stations with new equipment installed inside the buildings and trains of the new Tashkent to Samakand express train service. The high-speed connectivity is now available for users of Beeline services on the railway, M39 Tashkent-Samarkand highway, in Samarkand international airport, "Great Silk Road" tourist centre, Imam al-Bukhari memorial complex and other key tourist locations.

“High speed digital communications are vital in the economic growth of countries, for residents, businesses and tourists alike,” explains Kaan Terzioglu, CEO of VEON.  “We are delighted to have partnered with the Government of Uzbekistan on this important development and to have completed a technically challenging project in record time, accelerating the country’s digital transformation.  We have brought fast digital communications to people both visiting and living in Samarkand, and this will provide a real economic benefit to the country.”

"To create the best communications experience for the people of Uzbekistan as well as guests to our country, we resolved to provide 4G internet on the critical rapid train link between Tashkent and Samarkand,” explains Sherzod Shermatov, Minister for IT and Communications Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan. “The digital operator overcame severe technical challenges to implement a service that delivers high-speed internet connection on high-speed trains. This improvement to the quality of connection on our railways is indicative of the progress that Uzbekistan is making in becoming a digital nation that will power our economic growth.”