Adapting the legal framework to the digital
world and creating an ecosystem in line with modern challenges - Kazakhstan is
developing a new law «On telecommunications and data processing». It is
currently being actively discussed by industry experts, representatives of
government agencies, and businesses. According to the Ministry of Digital
Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, the document, which previously
regulated telephony and postal services, now requires a comprehensive revision.
Primarily, it must account for technologies such as the internet, Wi-Fi, radio
frequencies, 5G, and data processing. A special working group has been
established to discuss the package of new legislative initiatives and necessary
amendments to the Law on Communications. It held meetings and hearings where
participants from the domestic telecommunications market presented their
proposals. Among them are: legislating responsibility for the installation of
unlicensed internet, attracting investment to the communications sector, and ensuring
high-quality internet coverage and communication for the population. Overall,
as noted by the relevant ministry, the development of the telecommunications
sector in the country is advancing both at the legislative and technological
levels.
«This involves covering more than 3,000
villages with fiber-optic communications. Last December, the National Budget
Commission confirmed the financing of this project. Another project, which
involves subsidizing the «last mile» to rural settlements in cooperation with
the World Bank, is currently awaiting ratification in the Parliament. The third
project involves the construction of antenna-mast structures along major
national and regional roads, and this project is currently under review,» noted Kazakh Vice Minister of Digital
Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Askhat Orazbek.
«The law has been constantly updated. This
time, we decided to completely revise all definitions. The law has become
somewhat outdated, with terms related to telephony from when the industry was
just starting, and now, with the development of the internet, new services, and
technologies like 5G and 6G, we need to fully update it. By January or
February, we should have the full package of amendments ready, and then we will
begin coordinating them with government agencies, public associations, and
discussing them in the media, conducting online discussions,» said Ainur
Beissenbayeva, head of the department at the Telecommunications Committee,
Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry.
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