Uzbektelecom responds to Humans arbitration case: “Large debt remains unpaid”

Uzbektelecom has issued a statement in response to recent international arbitration proceedings initiated by Humans Mobile Ltd, a Singapore-based founder of the Humans virtual mobile operator operating in Uzbekistan. The legal action follows disputes involving the Central Bank of Uzbekistan and Uzbektelecom.

In its official comment, Uzbektelecom stated that although Humans uses its mobile network and earns revenue from its services, the company has delayed payment for the network usage.

According to Uzbektelecom, Humans Mobile, unlike other mobile operators in Uzbekistan, did not invest in developing its own mobile infrastructure. Instead, since 2020, it has been operating on a contractual basis using the network infrastructure of Uzbektelecom JSC to deliver mobile communication services.

“Some media outlets are spreading biased claims that Uzbektelecom JSC is ‘using its monopoly position to exert pressure’ on Humans. In reality, Humans is free to operate under agreements with other mobile operators that have their own infrastructure. There is no legal requirement that Humans must use only Uzbektelecom’s infrastructure,” the company stated.

Uzbektelecom also emphasized its efforts to reduce internet costs and improve accessibility across Uzbekistan. It highlighted that the cost of 1 Mbps of internet for operators and providers has dropped 40 times between 2017 and 2024, thanks to the expansion of international bandwidth capacity.

“Humans has been systematically violating its contractual obligations by failing to pay for the services provided. Despite this, Uzbektelecom JSC continued providing services in order to protect consumer rights, ensuring that users received the services they had paid for, regardless of the operator,” the statement said.

Uzbektelecom confirmed that it has filed a lawsuit in the appropriate court to recover the outstanding debt and minimize future financial losses. On May 8, the Tashkent City Economic Court ruled in favor of Uzbektelecom, ordering Humans to settle the debt related to services received.

It should be noted that in May, Humans appealed to the Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Rights Protection, requesting the initiation of an antitrust investigation against Uzbektelecom. The company alleged that the state-owned operator had reduced internet speeds due to unpaid debts, imposed "monopoly-level pricing," and created discriminatory conditions.

Following this, Humans filed a case against Uzbekistan with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), under the World Bank. Vladimir Dobrynin, CEO and founder of Humans Group, described arbitration as a cultural mechanism for investors to defend their interests from unfair treatment. The company is seeking compensation, asserting that the legal process will help reinforce principles of fair regulation and support for entrepreneurship.

The case is based on alleged violations of the Bilateral Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments, signed between the governments of Uzbekistan and Singapore on July 15, 2003, and in force since November 23, 2003.