Kazakhstan has committed to connecting 99% of its rural settlements with high-speed internet by the end of 2027 through a major investment agreement signed between the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry and Kazakhtelecom. The project aims to connect over 3,000 villages, completing fiber-optic communication lines by the end of 2026—one year ahead of schedule—and extending satellite connectivity by 2027.
The initiative will bring internet access to schools, hospitals, administrative buildings, public access points, and over 40 state border checkpoints. Connectivity will be delivered primarily via fiber-optic lines (88%) with satellite channels covering the remaining 12%. The investment exceeds 239 billion tenge (approximately US$470 million), funded through extra-budgetary resources and leveraging Kazakhtelecom’s extensive telecommunications infrastructure.
Upgrades will also strengthen cellular communication base stations in rural areas by laying fiber-optic lines to improve mobile internet quality and coverage. Minister Zhaslan Madiyev emphasized that these efforts will create equal opportunities across regions, supporting access to education, healthcare, government services, and fostering rural economic development.
