Kazakhstan is set to double its internet traffic consumption by the end of 2025 compared to the previous year, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev announced during a government meeting. The minister also noted that full population coverage with internet services is not expected until 2027, meaning continued growth in demand is likely.
“It is important to note the significant growth in internet traffic consumption this year: we expect it to be twice as high as last year,” Madiyev said.
In 2024, total internet traffic in Kazakhstan reached 2.14 million terabytes, with the average subscriber using approximately 22.4 GB per month, 40% above the global average of 16 GB.
Madiyev attributed this growth to substantial investment in digital infrastructure. Over the past three years, more than $1.8 billion has been invested in the development of internet and mobile communication services. Kazakhstan now boasts an average internet speed of 94 Mbps, with 20 million mobile internet users and 3.7 million fixed-line subscribers.
“By the end of 2027, we plan to provide 100% internet coverage for the population, and internet speeds will exceed 100 megabits per second,” the minister stated.
He added that 90% of rural settlements will be connected to fiber-optic communication lines by that time, significantly improving regional connectivity.
According to the Kazakh government, of the country’s 6,179 settlements, 119 cities and 4,906 villages currently have access to communications infrastructure. Of these, 2,724 are connected via 3G and 2,182 via 4G. Fixed internet access is available in 1,902 villages through ADSL and in 2,654 villages via fiber-optic networks.
Plans are in place to connect an additional 3,000 villages to high-speed internet by 2027. In parallel, 504 remote settlements will receive satellite internet access. Of these, 176 are already connected via KazSat, and a further 328 are expected to be connected through OneWeb by the end of 2025.
In June 2025, Kazakhstan signed an agreement with Starlink, which officially began operating in the country on August 13. Starlink’s satellite internet is now used in more than 1,700 rural schools. Overall, 84% of the country’s villages are covered by mobile networks, according to ministry data.
Alexander Babichev, Chairman of the Board at Mobile Telecom Service LLP (MTS), stated that 3G technology will be fully phased out in all major cities by the end of 2025, replaced by 4G. In 2026, Kazakhstan is expected to introduce VoWiFi technology nationwide, allowing voice calls over any available Wi-Fi network.
“We have successfully conducted a pilot within the company, and next year the technology will become widely available,” said Evgeny Nastradin, Executive Director of Kar-Tel.
In parallel, Kazakhstan is developing a national Wi-Fi operator to provide secure internet access across social and transport infrastructure. In the first phase, 400 locations in 10 cities will be covered. By 2027, that figure is expected to grow to 20,000. This infrastructure will support the rollout of digital services and AI-based solutions.
As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the European Union has launched a major initiative aimed at boosting digital connectivity in Central Asia, with the goal of addressing the region’s digital divide.
