Tengrinews.kz — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev commented on the quality of internet in Kazakhstan and detailed ongoing efforts to improve connectivity.
"To be objective, I believe the internet quality is good. However, we are not stopping there. There is room for further development and improvement," Madiyev said, responding to journalists during a briefing in Astana on stimulating and developing the digital assets industry.
According to him, major infrastructure projects are currently underway in Kazakhstan to provide broadband internet access to rural settlements.
"Construction has already begun. By the end of next year, we plan to bring internet access to an additional 3,000 villages with the help of our partners. Thus, coverage should reach 92 percent," the Deputy Prime Minister reported.
Madiyev also noted that Kazakhstan is actively installing base stations to expand the 5G network.
"Currently, about 3,500 base stations provide the relevant coverage. We also plan to further modernize the infrastructure," he said.
According to the Minister, Kazakhstan is gradually phasing out 3G. Instead, 4G and 5G networks are being upgraded, which is expected to enhance connection quality.
Additionally, a project has been launched to provide connectivity along national highways.
"Construction of the relevant infrastructure and base stations will begin shortly, which will ensure signal coverage on the motorways," Madiyev noted.
Another initiative, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, is the "Last Mile" project. It addresses settlements where previous projects brought internet to the village but failed to provide the final link to individual households.
"This project has also started. We also aim to reduce signal latency. All these measures are being implemented comprehensively," he added.
Context
The issue of internet and connectivity quality is raised regularly in Kazakhstan. On May 13, Mazhilis deputy Marat Bashimov criticized the quality of home internet, stating: "I pay 15,000 tenge, yet there is no internet." He also spoke about consumer rights violations in this sector.
On the same day, deputies raised the issue of rising mobile tariffs. According to MP Nartai Sarsengaliev, some tariffs have increased several times over recent years—by as much as 300 percent. The deputies questioned why people are paying more while the quality of service continues to draw frequent complaints.
On May 21, deputy Olzhas Nuraldinov spoke about Kazakhstani citizens' complaints regarding hidden balance deductions, forced paid services, and non-transparent billing by mobile operators. He addressed a formal inquiry on the matter to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev.
On May 22, it was reported that residents of the Zhetysu region successfully sued for refunds over poor internet services. According to the Consumer Rights Protection Committee, 10 users were awarded a total of 315,000 tenge.
On June 2, a court in the Kostanay region reviewed a case regarding a mobile operator's advertisement, which claimed its mobile internet ranked first in Kazakhstan for quality and coverage area. The court pointed out that such claims were not supported by sufficient and objective evidence.
On June 3, deputy Ekaterina Smyshlyayeva spoke about connectivity issues for Kazakhstani citizens living near correctional facilities. According to her, signal jammers prevent residents in these areas from properly using mobile phones, the internet, and government digital services.
On June 22, new regulations for mobile operators were announced. Operators will no longer be able to activate additional paid services and internet options without double confirmation from the subscriber.