Uzbekistan: Buy the Best SIM Cards | 2024 Guide

Uzbekistan is a unique country on its own. Mosques in Samarkand, the Timur Museum in Tashkent, and the Ark citadel in Bukhara. There is so much history in Uzbekistan – a history lover will not be bored when exploring this country.

What you may not want to do, however, is roaming with your provider. Roaming can be expensive in many cases, which is why many travelers prefer to buy a local SIM card so that they can enjoy local rates. In this article, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Tajikistan. Let's do this.

Original publication: 5th of January 2020. Last updated: 15th of October 2023.

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Table of Contents

Telecom Providers in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has 4 telecom providers; Ucell, Beeline Uzbekistan, Mobiuz, and UzMobile. All operators have 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE networks. You may have read that UzMobile is a CDMA-only operator, but that has changed since 2015, so they are a provider you can consider now.

Perfectum and EVO that use CDMA and WiMAX, respectively, which are not compatible with GSM (which is what most phones use nowadays). Therefore, they will not be discussed in this article.

Best SIM Card in Uzbekistan

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Just like other countries in Central Asia, you need to show your passport when buying a SIM card. It is recommended to buy your card at an official outlet so that you do not get a SIM card registered to someone else’s name (and you may get a package/deal you cannot do anything with).

Do note that plans in Uzbekistan are usually daily. However, weekly and monthly packages are also sold. The validity of each pack will clearly be mentioned when discussing the operators in detail.

Some operators may ask for a confirmation that you are staying in a hotel, so bring that with you if you can to speed the process up.

With that said, let’s see what Uzbekistan has to offer to us.

Ucell

Ucell is the largest operator in Uzbekistan in terms of subscribers. They also have the most extensive network in the country, which is why they are recommended to visitors. 4G/LTE can be found in some of the larger cities, while 2G and 3G cover most of the population.

SIM Card Price – Ucell

An Ucell SIM card is sold for 3000 UZS ($0.30), 4500 UZS ($0.45), or 6000 UZS ($0.60). The first SIM comes with no balance, whereas the others come with 1500 UZS and 3000 UZS in credit, respectively.

Ucell sells SIM cards to travelers like you in these locations. Your passport and hotel registration is required when purchasing a SIM.

The following daily Ucell data packs can be added, which automatically renew:

• 337 UZS: 1 MB
• 590 UZS: 8 MB
• 842 UZS: 15 MB
• 1474 UZS: 35 MB
• 1895 UZS: 55 MB
• 2947 UZS: 85 MB
• 3579 UZS: 110 MB
• 4210 UZS: 130 MB

You can also select one of these Ucell weekly plans:

• 8420 UZS: 80 MB
• 12 630 UZS: 160 MB
• 16 840 UZS: 320 MB

Finally, Ucell 30-day and 60-day packs are available, which are listed below:

• 5263 UZS: 50 MB for 30 days
• 12 630 UZS: 150 MB for 30 days
• 18 945 UZS: 300 MB for 30 days
• 25 260 UZS: 500 MB for 30 days
• 42 100 UZS: 1 GB for 30 days
• 50 520 UZS: 1.5 GB for 30 days
• 63 150 UZS: 2 GB for 30 days
• 105 250 UZS: 4 GB for 30 days
• 147 350 UZS: 8 GB for 60 days
• 189 450 UZS: 16 GB for 60 days
• 231 550 UZS: 32 GB for 60 days
• 294 700 UZS: 64 GB for 60 days

In areas where 4G/LTE is available, you can add the following monthly Ucell 4G/LTE packs:

• 42 UZS: 5 GB (only once to try Ucell’s 4G/LTE network)
• 63 150 UZS: 5 GB
• 105 250 UZS: 10 GB

• Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)

You may want to get a travel eSIM for Uzbekistan, which can be cheaper than getting a SIM card from Ucell (in some cases).

Especially when getting an eSIM covering popular Asian destinations if you do not stay in just Uzbekistan or a global eSIM valid for up to a year if you want one eSIM to work practically worldwide.

My Uzbekistan eSIM buying guide analyzes various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.

Here is a quick introduction to them:

• Airalo: Uzbeknet (Uzbekistan only) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + call and text feature) – use code DEC15 (15% off – first-time users only) or DEC10 (10% off)
• Alosim: Uzbekistan – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
• Holafly: Uzbekistan – these eSIMs have unlimited data – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ (5% off – no limits)
• Nomad: Uzbekistan, APAC (up to 20 countries) & Global (up to 139 countries) – use code ADU123 (3 USD off – first-time users only)

For more information, such as the prices and data allowances, check out my Uzbekistan eSIM buying guide.

But let's continue with Ucell for now.

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Beeline Uzbekistan

Beeline Uzbekistan, just Beeline, covers around 90% of the population with its 2G network and more than 55% with their 3G network. 4G/LTE can be found in major towns.

SIM Card Price – Beeline Uzbekistan

The best SIM card for data costs 280 UZS per week and comes with nothing included.

The following short-term data packs can be added:

• 1390 UZS: 30 MB for 1 day
• 4210 UZS: 150 MB for 1 day
• 5052 UZS: 50 MB for 7 days
• 9262 UZS: 200 MB for 7 days

You can also add one of the following monthly Beeline packs:

• 7157 UZS: 60 MB
• 13 472 UZS: 260 MB
• 23 155 UZS: 800 MB
• 31 575 UZS: 1.5 GB
• 42 100 UZS: 2.1 GB
• 54 730 UZS: 4 GB
• 84 200 UZS: 6 GB
• 113 670 UZS: 8.5 GB
• 138 930 UZS: 13 GB

If you want a lot of data that is specifically designed for 4G/LTE, you can get one of their 4G packs that also work on Beeline’s 2G and 3G networks:

• 168 400 UZS: 15 GB
• 210 500 UZS: 30 GB
• 252 600 UZS: 60 GB

You can also get a Beeline tourist SIM called Welcome. The SIM card costs 30 000 UZS per 32 days and comes with 3 GB, 1 GB for Telegram, WhatsApp, and Viber, and 100 minutes. This plan can be extended by visiting a Beeline store.

Mobiuz

Mobiuz, formerly known as UMS, started to rebrand in 2019. It is the third operator in Uzbekistan. Their coverage is rather limited, and you should only consider going with them if staying in the bigger cities and towns.

SIM Card Price – Mobiuz

A Mobiuz SIM card is sold for 5000 UZS and comes with the same amount in credit. A base plan has to be added. The cheapest plan costs 169 UZS per day.

The following daily data packs can be added:

• 4111 UZS: 50 MB
• 6316 UZS: 100 MB

You can also add one of the following Mobiuz weekly plans:

• 8421 UZS: 100 MB
• 12 632 UZS: 200 MB
• 16 842 UZS: 300 MB

Finally, monthly Mobiuz packs can be added:

• 18 947 UZS: 300 MB
• 25 262 UZS: 500 MB
• 33 383 UZS: 1 GB
• 50 525 UZS: 2 GB
• 67 366 UZS: 3 GB
• 84 207 UZS: 5 GB
• 126 311 UZS: 10 GB
• 227 358 UZS: 20 GB

Mobiuz also sells the Uzbekistan pass, which is their tourist SIM. For 5 USD or 21 000 UZD, you get 2 GB and 50 minutes. For 10 USD or 42 000 UZD, you will get 5 GB and 100 minutes. Unfortunately, I do not know how long these plans last.

UzTelecom (formerly UzMobile)

UzTelecom, formerly UzMobile, is owned by a state-owned company. They are the smallest operator with the “worst” coverage, although it is improving with the development of their 4G/LTE network. A monthly base plan has to be added, which are listed below. They come with some perks, although some are not interesting for those who want data:

• 10 USZ: 10 MB and 10 minutes per month
• 3360 UZS: 40 MB
• 33 600 UZS: 1200 on-net minutes, 600 domestic minutes, and 2 GB
• 99 000: 20 GB

The following UzTelecom data packs can be added:

• 2940 UZS: 50 MB for 24 hours
• 6310 UZS: 150 MB for 24 hours
• 10 000 UZS: 500 MB for 30 days
• 11 360 UZS: 300 MB for 24 hours
• 15 000 UZS: 1.5 GB for 30 days
• 24 000 UZS: 3 GB for 30 days
• 32 000 UZS: 5 GB for 30 days
• 41 000 UZS: 8 GB for 30 days
• 50 000 UZS: 12 GB for 30 days
• 65 000 UZS: 20 GB for 30 days
• 75 000 UZS: 30 GB for 30 days
• 85 000 UZS 50 GB for 30 days
• 110 000 UZS: 75 GB for 30 days

The Best Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Uzbekistan

Getting a SIM card from Ucell would do you well when considering an Uzbek SIM card.