Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan launched the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic communication line

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have connected their telecommunications networks for the first time via a submarine fiber-optic cable across the Caspian Sea. The launch took place with the participation of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. This new infrastructure opens an additional data transmission route between Asia and Europe and strengthens Kazakhstan’s role in international digital transit.

The Trans-Caspian fiber-optic line connects Kazakhstan’s terrestrial networks, which have access to China, with Azerbaijan’s infrastructure and further with networks in the Caucasus and Europe. Thus, a new route is formed, expanding the capabilities for international traffic transmission and providing redundancy for existing communication channels.

For Kazakhstan, the launch of the line means increased resilience of international communications and diversification of access to the global network. The availability of an alternative route allows operators to more flexibly distribute data flows and reduce dependence on specific directions. For the region, the project creates additional opportunities for connecting to international digital infrastructure and developing transit between the largest markets of Asia and Europe.

The submarine cable contains 64 optical fibers. The designed capacity of the line exceeds 400 Tbps. This power reserve lays the foundation for growing data transmission and developing services that require high speed and connection reliability.

The new route also expands opportunities for hosting data centers, cloud platforms, and computing power for artificial intelligence in Kazakhstan. For international technology companies, the availability of high-capacity communication channels and low signal latency are important conditions for selecting sites and serving foreign clients. According to the provided technical parameters, the latency on the Aktau–Istanbul route will be 34 milliseconds.

The development of international connectivity creates conditions for Kazakhstan to increase not only data transit but also its own services for data storage and processing. This expands the opportunities for domestic technology companies to work in external markets and increases the country’s attractiveness for investment in digital infrastructure.

According to forecasts, due to the emergence of this new route, the volume of transit traffic may more than double and reach 21.6 Tbps in the coming years.

Less than two years passed from the start of active work in 2025 to the launch of the line. The implementation of the project required conducting marine surveys, coordinating the route considering shipping, military, and oil and gas activities, as well as performing the technically complex laying of the cable on the seabed of the Caspian Sea.

The launch of the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic line became the result of joint efforts by the two countries, supported by the heads of state, and a practical step in the development of the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Source: gov.kz