The +998 country code is for Uzbekistan, the most populous country in Central Asia with about 35 million people. Uzbekistan's phone system uses 9-digit numbers after the country code, and the mobile market has grown rapidly since telecom reforms in the late 2010s.
Millions of Uzbek workers in Russia, Kazakhstan, and South Korea call home regularly. Whether you're reaching family in Tashkent, contacts in Samarkand, or business partners in the Fergana Valley, this guide covers the number formats and what to expect.
Quick answer: The +998 country code is for Uzbekistan. Phone numbers have 9 digits after the country code. Mobile numbers start with 9 (format: +998 9X XXX XX XX). Landlines use city codes like 71 for Tashkent. Drop the trunk prefix when dialing internationally. Don't confuse +998 (Uzbekistan) with +996 (Kyrgyzstan).
How to call Uzbekistan: quick reference
Uzbekistan has one of the largest labor migrant populations in the former Soviet Union. Russia alone hosts 2-3 million Uzbek workers. The table below covers the main calling origins.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| Russia | 810-998-[9-digit number] |
| Kazakhstan | 810-998-[9-digit number] |
| South Korea | 001-998-[9-digit number] |
| Turkey | 00-998-[9-digit number] |
| US / Canada | 011-998-[9-digit number] |
| Germany | 00-998-[9-digit number] |
Understanding Uzbekistan phone numbers
Uzbek phone numbers are 9 digits after the +998 country code. Domestically, a trunk prefix is added for long-distance calls, but it must be dropped when calling from abroad.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers start with 9 and are by far the most common type:
- International: +998 9X XXX XX XX (9 digits after +998)
- Common prefixes: 90, 91, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 99
Landline numbers
Landlines use two-digit geographic area codes:
- Tashkent: +998 71 XXX XX XX
- Other cities: +998 [area code] XXX XX XX
Area codes
| City / Region | Area code |
|---|---|
| Tashkent | 71 |
| Tashkent region | 70 |
| Samarkand | 66 |
| Bukhara | 65 |
| Fergana | 73 |
| Andijan | 74 |
| Namangan | 69 |
| Nukus (Karakalpakstan) | 61 |
Most people in Uzbekistan use mobile phones. Landlines are mainly used by businesses and government offices.
Mobile carriers in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan has several mobile carriers competing for a large market. The sector opened up significantly after 2017 reforms.
Mobiuz (formerly UMS)
State-backed carrier using prefixes 97X and 95X. Rebranded from UMS in 2021. Has grown quickly with competitive pricing and is now one of the largest operators.
Beeline Uzbekistan
Part of the VEON group (formerly VimpelCom). Uses prefixes 90X and 91X. One of the longest-running private carriers in the country, popular in urban areas.
Ucell
Also owned by VEON. Uses prefixes 93X and 94X. Originally a separate brand, Ucell and Beeline now operate under the same parent company but maintain separate networks and subscriber bases.
Perfectum Mobile
Smaller carrier using prefix 98X. Focuses on data services and has a smaller subscriber base than the top three.
Number portability is limited in Uzbekistan, so prefixes are still a reasonable indicator of carrier.
Don't confuse +998 with nearby codes
Uzbekistan's +998 is at the high end of the Central Asian 99X block.
| Code | Country | Easy distinction |
|---|---|---|
| +998 | Uzbekistan | Ends in 8 |
| +996 | Kyrgyzstan | Ends in 6, neighboring country |
| +992 | Tajikistan | Ends in 2 |
| +993 | Turkmenistan | Ends in 3 |
| +994 | Azerbaijan | Ends in 4, Caucasus region |
The most common mix-up is +998 vs +996 (Uzbekistan vs Kyrgyzstan). Both are Central Asian neighbors with large Russian-speaking populations, so a wrong-number call might not be immediately obvious if the person answers in Russian.
Time zone considerations
Uzbekistan uses Uzbekistan Time (UZT), which is UTC+5 year-round. No daylight saving time. Same time zone as Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
| Your location | Time difference |
|---|---|
| Russia (Moscow, UTC+3) | Uzbekistan is +2 hours |
| South Korea (UTC+9) | Uzbekistan is 4 hours behind |
| Turkey (UTC+3) | Uzbekistan is +2 hours |
| Germany (CET/CEST) | Uzbekistan is +4 hours (winter) / +3 hours (summer) |
| US East Coast (EST/EDT) | Uzbekistan is +10 hours (winter) / +9 hours (summer) |
For callers in Russia, Uzbekistan is 2 hours ahead of Moscow. For South Korean callers, Uzbekistan is 4 hours behind, so an evening call from Seoul reaches Uzbekistan in the afternoon.
Communication in Uzbekistan
Business hours
Standard business hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Bazaars and markets often open earlier (7:00 AM) and stay open on weekends. Government offices may close by 5:00 PM.
Best times to call
Evenings (7:00-9:00 PM Uzbekistan time) work well for personal calls. During Ramadan, families tend to be awake later. Avoid calling during Friday midday prayer if your contact is observant.
Network coverage
Coverage in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and the Fergana Valley cities is good. Rural areas and the western desert regions (Karakalpakstan) have more limited coverage. The network has improved since 2018 reforms that opened the telecom market to more competition.
Messaging apps
Telegram is extremely popular in Uzbekistan and works reliably. It's the most-used messaging app in the country, ahead of WhatsApp. However, for reaching older relatives or people in rural areas, a direct phone call is still more dependable.
The Uzbekistan diaspora
Uzbekistan is one of the largest labor-exporting countries in Central Asia. Remittances are a major part of the economy, and phone calls home are a daily routine for millions of workers abroad.
Where Uzbeks live abroad
- Russia: 2-3 million Uzbek citizens work in Russia at any time, making them one of the largest migrant groups there. Concentrated in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Siberian cities. Construction, services, and agriculture are the main sectors.
- Kazakhstan: Several hundred thousand, mainly in Almaty, Astana, and southern cities near the border.
- South Korea: Around 50,000-80,000 through the Employment Permit System (EPS). South Korea is a popular destination due to higher wages and organized labor programs.
- Turkey: Growing community of workers and students, especially in Istanbul.
- United States: Smaller community, concentrated in New York (Brooklyn has a notable Uzbek/Bukharan Jewish community) and other major cities.
Why they call home
Calls spike around Nowruz (March 20-21), Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Independence Day (September 1). Migrant workers typically call weekly or more often, especially those who left families behind. The Bukharan Jewish diaspora in New York also maintains strong phone connections with relatives still in Uzbekistan.
Dialing examples
Calling a mobile in Tashkent
Your contact gives you: 90 123 45 67
- From Russia: 810 998 90 123 45 67
- From South Korea: 001 998 90 123 45 67
- Using CallSky: +998 90 123 45 67
Dial +998 followed by the 9-digit number.
Calling a landline in Tashkent
Your contact gives you: 71 234 56 78
- From Turkey: 00 998 71 234 56 78
- From Germany: 00 998 71 234 56 78
- Using CallSky: +998 71 234 56 78
Keep the area code 71 (Tashkent) and dial all 9 digits after +998.
Calling a mobile in Samarkand
Your contact gives you: 93 987 65 43
- From Russia: 810 998 93 987 65 43
- From US: 011 998 93 987 65 43
- Using CallSky: +998 93 987 65 43
Mobile numbers work the same regardless of the person's city.
Common mistakes to avoid
Including a trunk prefix
Older guides may mention an 8 or 0 trunk prefix for domestic long-distance calls. When dialing from abroad, don't add any trunk prefix. Just dial +998 followed by the 9-digit number.
Confusing +998 with +996
+998 is Uzbekistan, +996 is Kyrgyzstan. Both are Central Asian countries where Russian is widely spoken. If someone answers in Russian but doesn't seem to be who you expected, check whether you dialed the right final digit.
Wrong number of digits
Uzbek numbers are exactly 9 digits after +998. If you have fewer or more digits, something is wrong. A common error is including extra zeros or omitting part of the number.
Calling a number that changed
Uzbekistan has renumbered several times in recent years as the telecom market expanded. If an old number doesn't connect, ask your contact for their current number. Carriers have added new prefixes as subscriber counts grew.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +998 code?
+998 is the country code for Uzbekistan in Central Asia.
How many digits are in an Uzbek phone number?
Uzbek numbers have 9 digits after the +998 country code.
How do I call an Uzbek mobile from Russia?
Dial 810 (Russia's international access code), then 998, then the 9-digit number. Example: 810 998 90 123 45 67.
What's the difference between +998 and +996?
+998 is Uzbekistan, +996 is Kyrgyzstan. Both are Central Asian neighbors with similar-sounding codes.
Does Telegram work in Uzbekistan?
Yes. Telegram is the most popular messaging app in Uzbekistan and works reliably. It's a good backup to voice calls for reaching people there.
What time zone is Uzbekistan in?
Uzbekistan uses UTC+5 year-round with no daylight saving time. It's 2 hours ahead of Moscow and 4 hours behind Seoul.
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