Kazakhstan plans to use the Starlink satellite infrastructure established on its territory to provide internet access to neighboring states. This was announced by Zhaslan Madiyev, the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, at an expanded government meeting, according to Vlast.kz.
According to Madiyev, this digital infrastructure will allow Kazakhstan to strengthen its position as a leader in regional digital connectivity. With the gateway stations created by Starlink in Kazakhstan, satellite internet will be available to neighboring countries, including Tajikistan, for which traffic is planned to be launched this year. Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan are also in line for connection. Uzbekistan is already offering off-take contracts through the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic communication line.
Additionally, the minister reported that this year 1,900 villages in Kazakhstan will be connected to the fiber-optic network, and next year the number of such settlements will exceed 90%. All republican roads will also be equipped with the corresponding infrastructure, and the internet will be available on the main passenger transport routes of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) and on board domestic airlines.
In October of last year, Madiyev stated that by 2027, the deployment of a 5G network in 20 cities of regional and republican significance is planned, covering 60% to 75%. By that time, it is expected to ensure 100% internet access for the population, with connection speeds exceeding 100 megabits per second. Optical communication lines will be laid to 90% of rural settlements.
Moreover, in 2023, the head of state instructed the government to accelerate the implementation of the 5G network in all regional centers, setting a final deadline for the end of 2025, instead of the initially planned 2027.
