Top managers of the communications service agency on February 1 gave a news conference on the results of work carried out by it in 2020.
Asked why does not the communications service agency head Beg Zuhur participate in the news conference, the first deputy head of the communications service agency, Ilhomjon Atoyev, said, “If I say now, you will interpret in your own way. Beg Zuhurov is currently on a business trip. He is an open person, and if you have any questions, you can apply and he will accept you.”
About mandatory registration of mobile devices
Tajikistan has introduced mandatory registration of mobile devices. Mobile phones, notebooks, handheld computers, tablet computers and other gadgets are subject to registration. The Government of Tajikistan has endorsed the procedure of registration of mobile means of telecommunication services. This decision is reportedly taken to provide national security of the country.
Registration of gadgets (mobile phones, smartphones, tablet computers, handheld computers, notebooks and others) is carried out by the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) in the system of registration of the mobile means of telecommunications services.
The Government was supposed to appoint the IMEI registration system operator until June 1, 2020 with attraction of private investments.
Asked about introduction of the IMEI registration system, Atoyev said that it would work on the principle of public-private partnership. “We have selected a private company to operate the IMEI registration system. You will know its name when the time comes. Installation of the necessary equipment is under way. SIM-cards will be re-registered at the first stage.”
The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a number, usually unique, to identify 3GPP and iDEN mobile phones, as well as some satellite phones. It is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone, but can also be displayed on-screen on most phones by entering *#06# on the dialpad, or alongside other system information in the settings menu on smartphone operating systems.
About the quality of Internet
Asked why the quality of Internet in Tajikistan so low, Atoyev said that they were working in that direction “and the quality of communications and Interne is improving in the country.”
“Not all depends on mobile operators. The quality of communications and Internet also depends on depends on users’ devices (mobile phone and other gadgets),” Atoyev noted.
About O Mobile company and protection of personal data
A new mobile company O Mobile now operates in Tajikistan. Nothing is known about the owner of this mobile company. It is only known that the company uses Tcell infrastructure. They have the entire Tcell base. Where did they get their base and is it possible that no one protects our personal data?
Answering this question, Mr. Atoyev said that they had permit and they were currently operating in test mode.
“You will soon get to know them; it is better get to know them from the primary source,” he noted.
However, Atoyev did not answer the question whether O Mobile had the right to copy the Tcell database, and how legal it is.
O Mobile operates on the principle of a virtual mobile operator. An official opening of the company took place at the end of October. On its website Omobile.tj, the company calls itself a “popular and accessible mobile operator”.
About appearance of a mysterious Internet provider in Tajikistan
At the end of last year, information appeared in the media that a new Internet provider – Avesta Internet – appeared in Tajikistan, but nobody officially confirmed this information. Whether this company is registered and operates in Tajikistan? Whether Avesta Internet buys data from the Unified Electronic Communications Switching Center.”
Answering these questions, Atoyev said that they did not have information about that company. “Ask the Unified Electronic Communications Switching Center about this, because the Center for the supply of internet to the country,” he added.
Recall, the authorities in 2018 deprived local fixed-lined and mobile service providers of the right to buy data traffic from neighboring countries. The government cited security as grounds for the prohibition. Internet service providers (ISPs) must now buy data from the Unified Electronic Communications Switching Center.
About blockage of Asia-Plus website
Asked about the reason for blockage of Asia-Plus website, the communications service agency top manager said that there was no instruction to restrict access to the Asia-Plus website.
“The Asia-Plus website in not on the Supreme Court’s list of websites banned in the country. If there is an application, we will consider and respond,” Atoyev said.
It is to be noted that over the past two years, Asia-Plus has repeatedly applied to the Communications Service under the Government of Tajikistan with a request to clarify this issue.
Руcский