In a landmark step toward bridging Kazakhstan’s digital divide, SpaceX’s satellite internet service Starlink has officially begun operations in the country. As of today, residents and organizations across Kazakhstan can legitimately purchase and activate Starlink satellite terminals to access high-speed internet — even in the most remote regions.
From Pilot to Public Rollout
Kazakhstan’s engagement with Starlink began as early as late 2023, when the government deployed the system in a pilot phase to connect rural schools with fast broadband service. By mid‑2024, over 1,700 schools were brought online under the “Accessible Internet” national program.
On June 12, 2025, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry signed a formal agreement with Starlink, committing the company to fully comply with Kazakhstan’s information security and telecommunications laws. The agreement paved the way for the official rollout to citizens, entities, and government bodies.
Why This Matters
Kazakhstan’s vast geography and dispersed settlement patterns have long challenged conventional broadband expansion. Fiber optics and cell towers reach most urban areas – but remote pastures, mountain villages, and certain infrastructure sites remain underconnected or entirely offline.
Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation provides a modern solution: delivering high-speed, low-latency internet without reliance on terrestrial infrastructure. This opens avenues not only for education and healthcare in rural schools and clinics, but also for mobile services, infrastructure projects, and remote industrial operations.
Official Reactions
In June, Minister Zhaslan Madiyev highlighted the significance of this milestone: “Until today, Starlink operated in Kazakhstan in pilot mode, providing internet only in schools. Now, finally, we have reached an agreement: the company agreed to comply with all the requirements of our legislation … our citizens will be able to officially and legally connect to satellite internet.”
On Starlink’s official X account, the company announced: “Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet is now available in Kazakhstan!”
The deployment aligns with President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev’s national “Accessible Internet” initiative, aiming to ensure that no region is left behind in digital connectivity.
