BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 5. Kazakhstan has
completed a key stage in the implementation of the Trans-Caspian
fiber-optic communication line (FOCL) across the Caspian Sea, which
will connect the digital infrastructure of Kazakhstan and
Azerbaijan.
According to a statement published by the official information
resource of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, the subsea cable has
successfully reached the Kazakh coast, marking the completion of
the most challenging part of the project being implemented by
Kazakhtelecom and AzerTelecom International.
The new Aktau–Sumgayit route will become a direct high-speed
digital data transmission corridor between Asia and Europe,
improving the reliability of international telecommunications links
and strengthening the transit potential of both countries.
The completion of the subsea works was observed by Kazakhstan’s
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and
Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev, Chairman of the Management
Board of Kazakhtelecom Bagdat Mussin, and CEO of AzerTelecom
International Ana Nakashidze.
The project was launched in 2025. During the preparatory stage,
specialists carried out engineering surveys, identified the optimal
route and conducted cable testing. The subsea cable installation
began in July 2026 and was carried out around the clock using a
specialized vessel with a displacement of more than 20,000 tons. A
total of 70 specialists were involved in the works.
“We have completed the most challenging stage of the
Trans-Caspian fiber-optic communication line construction – laying
the cable along the seabed of the Caspian Sea. The new route will
strengthen Kazakhstan’s digital connectivity with global data
transmission networks and create a foundation for the further
development of artificial intelligence, cloud technologies and
modern data centers,” Zhaslan Madiyev said.
According to him, the development of digital infrastructure will
help Kazakhstan strengthen its position as a strategic digital
bridge between Europe and Asia.
Bagdat Mussin noted that the project will create a high-speed
digital backbone with minimal signal latency.
“This project confirms our ability to implement infrastructure
projects of any level of complexity within record timeframes. We
are creating a high-speed digital backbone with minimal signal
delay that will set new standards for the reliability of
international traffic,” the head of Kazakhtelecom said.
The cable is currently being connected to the coastal
infrastructure. Completion of the land-based infrastructure,
commissioning works and system testing are scheduled for autumn
2026.
CaspiLink B.V., a joint venture between Kazakhtelecom and
AzerTelecom International, is responsible for the construction and
further operation of the backbone. The project is being implemented
using the operators’ own funds without budget financing.
