Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan will launch the Trans-Caspian fiber optic line in October

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan plan to launch the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic communication line in October 2026. This was announced by the Deputy Prime Minister — Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan, Zhaslan Madiev, during a government meeting.

According to him, 390 km of submarine cable have been laid between the shores of Aktau and Sumgait. The line is intended to strengthen digital infrastructure and expand data transmission capabilities between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

The project is being implemented as part of the development of Kazakhstan's digital infrastructure and the Digital Qazaqstan strategy up to 2029.

At the meeting, data on the development of communications in the country were also presented. In Kazakhstan, more than 4,000 5G base stations have been installed in over 20 cities.

Together with Beeline and Starlink Mobile, the Direct-to-Cell technology is being implemented, which allows smartphones to connect to satellite communication without using traditional mobile infrastructure.

Mobile internet has also appeared in 1,500 carriages of 124 trains.

370 rural settlements have been connected to the internet. For this purpose, 11,819 km of communication lines have been laid. By the end of 2026, it is planned to provide communication to another 1,600 villages.

In addition, by 2027, the authorities plan to ensure communication coverage for 40,000 km of regional and republican highways. For this purpose, the construction of more than 500 antenna-mast structures is planned.

The development of digital infrastructure is part of the Digital Qazaqstan strategy up to 2029, which also includes the development of digital government services, Smart City, and solutions based on artificial intelligence.