Toyota Tsusho Corporation (Toyota Tsusho), Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ), NEC Corporation (NEC), and NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) announced today the conclusion of a contract with Uzbektelecom, a state-owned telecommunications operator in Uzbekistan, for a telecommunications infrastructure development project (the Project) to provide data center and telecommunications infrastructure for an advanced data communication system (the System).Installation of the System is scheduled to begin in 2023 and the sequential launch of operations is expected to significantly improve the communications environment of Uzbekistan.1. BackgroundIn response to the rapidly growing data communication demand driven by the digitalization of various industries, Uzbekistan is expanding its telecommunications infrastructure aimed at issues such as improving communications quality and closing the digital divide between urban and rural areas. In accordance with this background, the government of Uzbekistan has made the decision to accelerate digital transformation (DX) and introduce the latest information technologies for its digitalization strategy, Digital Uzbekistan 2030.2. OverviewFor the Project, launched under Digital Uzbekistan 2030, the four companies will provide telecommunications equipment and services required for Uzbektelecom’s data centers in three major cities (Tashkent, Bukhara, and Kokand), expansion of the telecommunications transport and data networks, as well as the international data communication network. This is expected to significantly increase the speed, capacity, and quality of the telecommunications infrastructure and to contribute to propelling DX in Uzbekistan, thereby facilitating the countrys transition to a digital economy in the future.The Project is funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI), and the MUFG Bank, Ltd.3. OutlookThrough the Project, the four companies will contribute to the realization of a more convenient and comfortable society, as well as the sustainable development of industries in Uzbekistan and other countries in Central Asia.[Roles of Participating Companies] Toyota Tsusho As the prime contractor for the Project, Toyota Tsusho will serve as the overall coordinator and ensure the smooth progress of the Project. IIJ In the data storage and data processing center (data center) construction projects, IIJ will contribute to the development of sustainable digital infrastructure in Uzbekistan by providing its energy efficient, high-quality, and highly efficient containerized IT modules “co-IZmo/I”, building the cloud platform, and providing training for Uzbektelecoms data center operational staff. NEC In the Uzbektelecom telecommunications transport network and data network expansion project, NEC will contribute to the operation of the national telecommunications infrastructure by providing optical wavelength multiplexing communications equipment and training for Uzbektelecoms operational staff, leveraging its many years of experience in supporting Uzbekistans telecommunications infrastructure. NTT Com In the international data communication network expansion project, NTT Com will contribute to the realization of DX in Uzbekistan through the expansion of the countrys international data communication network by providing equipment for the large-scale communication network and education for Uzbektelecoms operational staff. [Overview of Toyota Tsusho] Company name Toyota Tsusho Corporation Location Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture Established July 1, 1948 Capital 64.936 billion yen Representative President & CEO Ichiro Kashitani Business description Domestic and international trade of goods, export and import of goods, construction undertaking, insurance agents, among others Website https://www.toyota-tsusho.com/english/ [Overview of IIJ] Company name Internet Initiative Japan Inc. Location Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Established December 3, 1992 Capital 23.023 billion yen Representative President, co-CEO, and COO Eijiro Katsu Business description Provision of Internet connectivity and WAN service, network-related services, network systems construction, operation and maintenance, development and sales of telecommunication equipment Website https://www.iij.ad.jp/en/ [Overview of NEC] Company name NEC Corporation Location Minato-ku, Tokyo Established July 17, 1899 Capital 427.8 billion yen Representative President and CEO (Representative Director) Takayuki Morita Business description Provision of ICT solutions in the areas of public solutions business, public infrastructure business, enterprise business, network services business, and global business Website https://www.nec.com/ [Overview of NTT Com] Company name NTT Communications Corporation Location Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Established 1999 Capital 230.9 billion yen Representative President & CEO (Representative Member of the Board of the Company) Toru Maruoka Business description Long-distance telecommunications in Japan, international telecommunications, solutions business, ICT services and solutions, and related businesses Website https://www.ntt.com/en/index.html View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230126005488/en/