The transformative possibilities of mobile technologies, 5G networks and artificial intelligence (AI) were spotlighted as the M360 GSMA Eurasia event series of global mobile industry trade body GSM Association (GSMA) was given its Central Asia debut.

Policymakers and tech leaders from across Eurasia gathered in Tashkent during May 21-22 for the occasion.

Central Asia’s digital ambitions were in focus, with officials talking of how connectivity can be harnessed to drive economic growth and innovation.

Held in partnership with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technologies and supported by Beeline Uzbekistan, a subsidiary of VEON, the summit coincided with the release of the GSMA’s Mobile Economy Eurasia 2025 report. 

According to the report, mobile technologies and services generated $220bn in economic value across Eurasia last year, accounting for 7.7% of GDP. This contribution is projected to rise to $270bn—or 8.3% of GDP—by 2030.

“Connectivity is a powerful source of economic growth and a tool to transform businesses and public services across the region,” said Vivek Badrinath, director general of the GSMA. “M360 Eurasia provides a great platform to discuss how to accelerate regional digital progress through collaboration, innovation, and ambition and I look forward to the coming days’ debates.”

At the event, demonstrations from GSMA Foundry provided insights into cutting-edge regional innovations with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence and 5G.

Kaz-LLM, a large language model developed by Kazakh research institutions in collaboration with VEON’s QazCode and the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre, was presented. 

The AI tool is designed to bridge the language gap faced by low-resourced languages and operates in Kazakh, Turkish, Russian and English.

Also showcased was GSMA Foundry’s partnership with IBM, which gives GSMA members access to the Watsonx.ai platform, as well as an ongoing collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) on non-terrestrial networks.

Presentation from M360 GSMA Eurasia keynote.

The summit also served as a platform for Uzbekistan evolving digital economy. 

“This year, the export of IT services from Uzbekistan will exceed $1bn, and by 2030 we expect to reach $5bn. I am confident that the companies and representatives present at today’s event will become part of this success,” Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov stated.

“If we compare 2017 [when today’s Mirziyoyev administration came to power in Uzbekistan] and today, the Internet, which was then a luxury and available mainly in Tashkent, is now available everywhere: in all schools, hospitals, rural areas. It has become accessible and of high quality for everyone,” he added.

The minister highlighted the development of e-government infrastructure, with more than 80% of public services now offered online in Uzbekistan. 

Shermatov pointed to Uzbekistan’s IT Park as a catalyst for technological growth. “In our IT park, where in 2017 there were less than 10 companies with foreign capital, more than 30 new offices are now opening every month,” he said. “We provide a ‘one stop shop’ service, minimise bureaucratic barriers, exempt companies from taxes, and reduce the tax burden on employees.”

Uzbekistan also offers subsidies for training digital talent, reinforcing its ambition to become a regional hub for technology and innovation.

Despite the region’s progress, the GSMA report noted a persistent digital divide. While two-thirds of Eurasia’s population—around 164mn people—used mobile internet in 2024, nearly 80mn remained offline, even in areas with existing coverage.

Still, GSMA predicts significant growth ahead. By 2030, 5G connections are expected to rise to 143mn, accounting for 41% of total mobile connections in the region.