GSMA’s Vivek Badrinath: “Uzbekistan Could Help Lead $415bn Digital Opportunity in Eurasia”
For the first time in Central Asia, GSMA’s flagship summit — M360 Eurasia — is taking place in Uzbekistan’s Tashkent on May 21–22. The annual conference gathers global leaders in telecoms, technology, and government to discuss the region’s digital future.
On the sidelines of the event, Kursiv Uzbekistan spoke with Vivek Badrinath, Director General and Member of the GSMA Board, about why Uzbekistan was chosen as host and what the region needs to accelerate its digital transformation.
Why was Tashkent selected as the host city for M360 Eurasia this year, and what does it represent in terms of the region’s digital ambitions and future?
Tashkent was selected because the Uzbek market has demonstrated remarkable progress over the past seven years. Today, we see affordable data pricing, pro-investment policies, and the emergence of a growing IT sector. It is a strong example of how mobile connectivity can drive economic growth.
For every $1 increase in mobile activity, the economy grows by around $6 in productivity and related business. Uzbekistan is proving this with sound tax policies — notably, the removal of the mobile excise tax — which encourage more connections and greater GDP growth. There’s strong momentum here. It’s the right moment to come to Tashkent and share these insights with the broader Eurasian region.
What are the key highlights of this year’s event — in terms of themes, speakers, and sessions — that will help foster collaboration across the digital ecosystem?
This year’s event is especially dynamic. There’s an intense global dialogue around emerging technologies, and naturally, artificial intelligence is at the forefront. AI is transforming how people work and operate, and telecom operators themselves are using it extensively to improve efficiency and customer experience.
We’re also exploring the potential of 5G — not just in terms of connectivity, but its application in industrial settings like smart factories. In addition, Open Gateway is a major focus. It’s a GSMA initiative that enables telecoms to expose APIs to other sectors, allowing for deeper collaboration across industries.
The summit features strong panels on AI, 5G, financial services, and more. This morning’s opening session was particularly engaging. I was honoured to share the stage with Mr Kaan Terzioğlu, CEO of VEON, who’s shown exceptional leadership in pushing forward digital development across the region.
Looking ahead to 2030, which technologies or trends will most significantly drive digital transformation in Eurasia?
The next five years will be critical for unlocking the full potential of 5G. While many operators have initiated rollout, the real impact will come from applying 5G in business and industrial environments — from smart factories to connected supply chains — and supporting inclusive access to AI in local languages. These are the areas where we’ll see major transformation by the end of the decade.
How do AI, 5G, and IoT contribute to this next wave of regional digital transformation?
These technologies represent the natural evolution beyond 4G. The 4G era was defined by mobile broadband and personal connectivity — enabling millions to access the internet for work, learning, communication, and entertainment.
5G, AI, and IoT go further. They allow for industrial automation, smart infrastructure, and AI-powered systems integrated into daily life and business. These developments will shape the region’s next phase of digital progress — enabling more intelligent, responsive, and inclusive connectivity.
What are the most pressing challenges the region must overcome to fully realise its digital potential?
One major challenge is digital inclusion. Around 80 mln people in the region have mobile coverage but are not using mobile internet. One key barrier is access to affordable smartphones — for many, it’s still a significant cost. Another challenge is the lack of local-language content.
That’s why initiatives like ISSAI KAZ-LLM — a large language model in Kazakh — are so valuable and should be replicated in other countries, such as Pakistan, to ensure everyone can engage with content in their native language. Digital literacy and online safety are equally important. Many users hesitate because they fear the internet’s risks. We need to educate and empower them to confidently access its benefits while staying safe.
During the opening ceremony, Vivek Badrinath offered a compelling reflection that connected the region’s historical role along the Silk Road with its digital ambitions today. «Connectivity is power,» he said, noting that while 80% of Eurasia’s population already uses mobile networks, 80 mln people still remain offline despite having coverage.
Bridging this usage gap, he explained, could unlock $415 bn in GDP by 2030 — a figure that reframes digital inclusion as one of the region’s greatest untapped opportunities.
With over 3.3 mln new connections expectedfrom recent tax reforms, and 5G accounting for 40% of regional connections by 2030, he concluded, Uzbekistan’s trajectory reflects how trust, innovation, and evolution can drive a new era of digital growth.
The M360 Eurasia summit in Tashkent has put a spotlight on Uzbekistan’s digital momentum and the region’s growing tech potential. As Vivek Badrinath highlights, real progress will come from bridging access gaps, localising content, and scaling technologies like AI and 5G into industrial applications. With the right policies and cross-sector collaboration, Eurasia is well-positioned to become a dynamic digital economy by 2030.
