Uzbekistan +998

Uzbekistan, officially the Republic of Uzbekistan, is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia, renowned for its rich history along the ancient Silk Road, stunning Islamic architecture, and vibrant bazaars. For international callers, Uzbekistan uses the country code +998, which must be dialed after the international access prefix (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries). The national numbering plan is structured with a three-digit area code (for fixed lines) or mobile prefix, followed by a seven-digit subscriber number. This structure ensures that all domestic numbers, both fixed and mobile, have a uniform length of 9 digits after the country code, simplifying dialing for international partners.

How to Call Uzbekistan from Abroad

To place an international call to Uzbekistan, follow these steps:

• Exit Code – Dial the international access code of your current country (e.g., 011 from North America, 00 from most European and Asian countries, or '+' from mobile phones).
• Country Code – Dial +998.
• Area Code or Mobile Prefix – For landlines, include the city/region code (without the leading '0' that is used domestically). For mobile numbers, use the 2-digit mobile operator prefix (e.g., 90, 91, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 99).
• Subscriber Number – Finally, dial the 7-digit local subscriber number.

Example: To call a fixed line in Tashkent (area code 71) with the local number 1234567, you would dial: +998 71 1234567.

Area Codes and Numbering Context

Uzbekistan's area codes are assigned to major cities and regions. The capital, Tashkent, uses area code 71. Other key area codes include: Samarkand (66), Bukhara (65), Andijan (74), Namangan (69), Fergana (73), Nukus (61), and Urgench (62). The country code +998 replaced the older +7 (USSR) code after independence in 1991. Mobile numbers are not tied to a geographic area but to the operator's prefix, such as 90/91 (Beeline), 93/94 (Ucell), 95 (UzMobile), 97 (MobiUZ), and 98/99 (Perfectum). Since 2019, Uzbekistan has migrated to a closed numbering plan, meaning all national numbers must be dialed with the area code or mobile prefix even for local calls.

Special Dialing Rules and Services

When dialing Uzbekistan, note the following:

• Emergency Numbers – Internally, Uzbekistan uses 102 for police, 103 for ambulance, and 101 for fire. These are not reachable via the international country code; you must dial them locally.
• Toll-Free and Premium Numbers – Uzbekistan has short codes for services, but international access to these is limited. It's best to use the full international format for any official communication.
• Mobile Roaming – Foreign visitors can use their home carrier's roaming, but local SIM cards are affordable and offer better rates. To activate, you may need to register your IMEI with the local authorities – a process often handled by the mobile operator.
• Time Zone – Uzbekistan observes Uzbekistan Time (UZT, UTC+5) year-round, with no daylight saving time.

Traveler and Business Tips

For travelers and businesses, understanding local communication nuances is essential. Wi-Fi is widely available in urban areas, but VoIP services (like Skype or WhatsApp) may be restricted or monitored; it's advisable to use them cautiously. When making business calls, keep in mind that the workweek in Uzbekistan is Monday through Friday, and the weekend is Saturday-Sunday (unlike some neighboring countries). The official language is Uzbek, but Russian is widely used in business and among older generations. For reliable connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM from operators like Beeline or Ucell, which offer extensive 4G coverage. Always confirm the number format with your counterpart, especially when calling mobile phones, as some users may list numbers without the area code.