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Starlink Set to Launch Internet Services Nationwide in Kazakhstan

Starlink, a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, will officially begin offering satellite internet services in Kazakhstan in the third quarter of 2025. The Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan announced that an agreement has been signed with Starlink, ensuring compliance with national laws on information security and telecommunications. Expanding Internet Access to Remote Areas With this agreement, Kazakhstani users can now legally purchase and connect Starlink satellite terminals. Until now, the service had operated only in pilot mode, providing internet access exclusively to schools. “Starlink was not previously available to the public. Now, after reaching this agreement, the company has committed to fully comply with our legislation on information security and communications,” said Digital Development Minister Jaslan Madiev. The initiative is part of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s directive under the national project Accessible Internet, which aims to close the digital divide. The project focuses on underserved areas, such as mountain villages, remote pastures, schools, and healthcare facilities, where laying fiber-optic infrastructure is logistically or economically impractical. Starlink’s technology uses a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, positioned approximately 550 kilometers above the Earth, to deliver high-speed broadband with low latency, even in rural and hard-to-reach locations. Background: A Long Road to Starlink Kazakhstan’s engagement with Starlink began in 2023 when the government, frustrated by the lack of progress from domestic telecom operators, initiated direct negotiations with SpaceX. Then-Minister Bagdat Musin announced a partnership to provide internet connectivity to 2,000 rural schools.. “Lauren Dreyer and I informed the President that in schools where students only receive 4 megabits per second through outdated satellite dishes, we would bridge the gap within six months. Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of SpaceX and Elon Musk’s deputy, confirmed Starlink’s commitment,” Musin said at the Digital Bridge forum. By April 2024, 447 rural schools were connected via Starlink. By July, that number had risen to 1,729. Attempted Ban and Backlash Despite the rollout’s success, in December 2024, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry (MDDIAI) proposed banning Starlink and similar services. Citing Article 23 of the National Security Law, the ministry argued that Kazakhstan should prohibit telecommunications networks operated from outside the country. The draft regulation targeted four companies, Inmarsat, Iridium, Thuraya, and Starlink, and was published for public comment on the Open Regulations website. It immediately drew widespread criticism. In response to the backlash, the proposal was withdrawn for revision.

Infrastructure Development internet access

Innovative Solution Connects Kyrgyzstan’s Most Remote Village to the Internet, Sparking Further Development

Until recently, the village of Zardaly, in the Batken region of southwest Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous area on the border of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, was almost completely cut off from the rest of the world. There were no road connections and certainly no information highway. That all changed recently, however, when the Kyrgyz chapter of the Internet Society, an international organization aiming to bridge the digital divide, led a project to connect Zardaly to the internet. The project has inverted the arc of the typical development model, with the new technology subsequently sparking investment in more traditional infrastructure such as roads, energy production, and access to government services. [caption id="attachment_28530" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Image: Internet Society, Kyrgyz Chapter[/caption] The idea of connecting Zardaly to the internet was prompted in large part by the Covid-19 pandemic, the co-founder of the Internet Society’s Kyrgyz chapter Talant Sultanov told The Times of Central Asia. “During the pandemic, we were working on a project to ensure continuing education for kids whose schools were forced to close. The government passed a law mandating the availability of online education for children in the country, but some schools lacked internet connectivity and kids were therefore effectively missing out on education. So, we decided to find the most difficult case in this regard and use it as an example proving that establishing an internet connection can be done anywhere,” Sultanov explained. [caption id="attachment_28531" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Image: Internet Society, Kyrgyz Chapter[/caption] Zardaly’s remote location presented some steep challenges. The standard solution based on fiber-optic cables was not possible because of the mountainous terrain and extreme weather conditions, while the satellite technology for such a project was only just emerging when the project was originally conceived, and so was also not an option. Instead, Sultanov explained, the project team designed a solution around radio signals. “We basically found the closest internet location and installed radio transmitters,” he said. This kind of solution required direct lines of sight between the connection nodes, however, so hubs had to be built on mountaintops, further increasing the difficulty level. [caption id="attachment_28532" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: Internet Society, Kyrgyz Chapter[/caption] Donkeys Carrying Solar Panels The project’s designers also had to deal with the fact that there was no paved road leading to Zardaly, nor any electricity in the village. So, to get this modern technology up and running, the team turned to the traditional transport mode of donkeys to move the equipment needed to install the network of hubs and towers, which meant traveling along a treacherous unpaved path etched into the mountainside. “Our engineer suffered a broken arm from falling boulders, and another nearly fell off a cliff,” said Sultanov. [caption id="attachment_28533" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Image: Internet Society, Kyrgyz Chapter[/caption] To overcome the lack of electricity, the team had to bring in solar panels and batteries to store the energy. Sophisticated gel batteries were initially used but later had to be swapped out for traditional car batteries, which locals were more familiar with and able to repair on...

Legislation Telecommunications internet access

Kazakhstan Plans to Ban Starlink and Other Satellite Communication Systems Face Backlash

Kazakhstan is considering a ban on the import of Starlink and other satellite communication devices, a move that has sparked opposition from experts and the public. In December 2024, authorities proposed a draft regulation prohibiting the import of satellite communication equipment from major manufacturers, including Thuraya, Iridium, Inmarsat, and Starlink. The proposal quickly ignited public debate on the Open ABO portal, with most commentators opposing the measure. Following a wave of criticism, the draft was sent for revision. National Security Concerns The ban would apply to satellite phones and terminals commonly used by emergency services, maritime fleets, and travelers in areas lacking traditional communication networks. The Ministry of Digital Development defends the restriction as a national security measure, citing Article 23 of Kazakhstan’s Law on National Security. The law prohibits the operation of foreign-controlled communication networks within the country. Authorities have suggested requiring local oversight of satellite devices. Industry and Legal Concerns Industry representatives and legal experts, however, have raised strong objections. Safety Risks: Alexey Korchagin, a representative of satellite communications partner ZHARYQ LLP, warns that restricting satellite communication could jeopardize lives. He argues that alternatives such as Eutelsat-OneWeb and Amazon Kuiper cannot fully replace Thuraya, Iridium, and Inmarsat, as their functionality differs. Unlike bulky VSAT terminals, mobile satellite phones are compact, easy to use, and designed for emergencies. Control Over Information: Lawyer Yelzhan Kabyshev sees the ban as part of a broader effort to control information flows. He points to previous cyber-control measures, including security certificates and data interception policies. He also questions the transparency of the decision-making process, particularly after the January 2022 unrest, which led to criminal cases against top National Security Committee officials. A Growing Black Market: Experts argue that the ban will not eliminate security risks, as the devices could still be smuggled into the country. Korchagin warns that such restrictions could fuel the "gray" market, making it harder to regulate and potentially increasing security threats. Alternative Solutions Instead of an outright ban, experts recommend cooperation with satellite operators to ensure regulatory oversight without compromising essential communication services. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is working to expand internet access in remote areas. In 2024, a pilot project connected nearly 2,000 rural schools to Starlink satellite internet. The Ministry of Digital Economy has stated that the ban will not affect these connections, though the long-term future of the project after 2026 remains uncertain.

Infrastructure Development public transport internet access Railways Transport

Satellite Internet Now Available on Astana-Almaty Train in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway company, has launched a pilot project to provide satellite Internet access on its trains. The new service debuted on January 25 aboard the train connecting the capital, Astana, with the country's largest city, Almaty. Covering a 17-hour journey, the Astana-Almaty train route is one of the most popular in Kazakhstan. Using satellite technology, passengers can now access apps such as WhatsApp, YouTube, and other video-hosting platforms throughout their trip. However, access to torrent sites and platforms enabling streaming downloads will be restricted. The initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, the Ministry of Transport, and Jusan Mobile, the official distributor of Eutelsat-OneWeb in Kazakhstan. Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, described the project as a milestone for digitalizing the country's transportation network. “The launch of this pilot project on the KTZ train using the low-orbit satellite constellation Eutelsat-OneWeb is an important event in the digitalization of transport,” Madiyev stated. “Thanks to cooperation with partners, we have demonstrated that even in challenging conditions, it is possible to provide passengers with high-speed (50-100 Mbps) and stable internet. This achievement paves the way for further digital transformation in Kazakhstan and enhances travel comfort for our citizens.” The pilot project also includes the introduction of several technological upgrades to improve the passenger experience. Mobile terminals for conductors have been deployed to facilitate quick ticket verification, while POS terminals allow for cashless payments in the dining car. Additionally, video surveillance systems have been installed to enhance security in railcars. According to Anuar Akhmetzhanov, Chairman of the Board of JSC Passenger Transportation, the introduction of satellite internet is a key step in modernizing passenger services. He added that in the future, satellite internet access will be expanded to trains operating on other major routes. Currently, internet access on Kazakh trains is available only when trains travel near cities and villages with cellular network coverage. For the vast stretches of railway running across Kazakhstan’s expansive steppes - often far from human habitation - connectivity has traditionally been unavailable. The adoption of satellite internet technology addresses this gap and ensures seamless connectivity even in remote areas. For a country as large as Kazakhstan - it is the ninth largest in the world - railways remain a vital mode of transportation. In 2024, KTZ transported 13.6 million passengers, with the Astana-Almaty, Astana-Shymkent, Almaty-Shymkent, Astana-Semey, and Almaty-Semey routes being the most popular.

Telecommunication Internet Digitalization Information Technologies internet access

New Satellite Internet May Appear in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan plans to agree with Amazon to use "Project Kuiper" satellite internet, a competitor to Elon Musk's well-known Starlink. Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiev said the agreement will be signed during the Asia-Pacific Conference on Digital Transformation, which will be organized by UNESCAP in Astana. Madiev emphasized that competition between satellite providers will improve the quality of internet services for citizens at an affordable price. Amazon began deploying the Project Kuiper network by launching the first two prototype satellites last year. More than 3,200 satellites are planned to be deployed in the future, but a full-fledged launch has been delayed until the end of 2024. Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, who participated in the conference, also said that the 5G network will cover all regional centers of Kazakhstan by the end of 2025. A Starlink pilot project was also launched in Kazakhstan; under this project, Starlink internet will be available to 2,000 remote rural schools.