Kazakhstan plans to launch two projects this year to lay
fiber-optic communication lines along the Caspian Sea bed. The first is set to
connect Aktau and the Azerbaijani city of Sumgait, with a cable spanning over
300 kilometers. The work will be carried out by the largest telecommunications
companies from both countries, with a total private investment of 23 billion
tenge. Cable laying is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026. The
second project, the West-East hyperhighway, will run along the China–Aktau
route. The line will facilitate data transmission for internet traffic transit,
serving as an alternative part of the Western Europe - Southeast Asia global
transport network.
«The initiative will enhance Kazakhstan’s transit potential.
Currently, most internet traffic from Europe bypasses the country. We aim to
route traffic through Kazakhstan, thereby boosting its volume. Our plans also
include attracting big tech companies by facilitating direct transit from
Europe to China,» said Azamat Seriktayev, Head of Department at the
Telecommunications Committee of the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development,
Innovations and Aerospace Industry.
While the idea of laying an internet cable on the Caspian
Sea bed was initiated six years ago, the Trans-Caspian project has only just
entered its active phase. As part of the plan, the contractor will conduct desk
and field marine studies to determine the cable route, followed by the
development of detailed design and estimate documentation.
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