Kazakhstan to Export Earth Observation Satellites, Expand Digital Infrastructure
Kazakhstan plans to manufacture at least five to six remote sensing satellites in the coming years, with some slated for export, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiev announced at a recent government meeting. Satellite production is managed by Kazkosmos JSC (National Space Center) and Ghalam LLP, while the Republican Space Communications Center JSC oversees satellite operations in orbit. According to Madiev, the ministry supervises these entities, and their production capacities are currently being fully utilized. “In the coming years, it is planned to launch at least five or six Earth remote sensing satellites at this complex, and part of the production will be focused on export. The expected volume of exports will be about $75 million. The implementation of the project will be the first such experience in the history of Kazakhstan and will allow the formation of high-tech exports,” Madiev said. He also announced that, starting in 2026, satellite internet will be available on trains operated by Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and aboard Air Astana flights. Currently, three satellite internet providers operate in the country, and two foreign companies are expected to enter the market soon. Pilot tests for train and aircraft connectivity are scheduled for this year. In parallel, local authorities are mandated to provide satellite internet access in tourist areas and hard-to-reach regions, funding the efforts independently. Simultaneously, a nationwide initiative is underway to deliver mobile coverage to 40,000 kilometers of national and regional highways, with completion expected within two years. The government is also expanding 5G infrastructure, with networks already active in 20 cities and plans to reach up to 75% of urban areas. More than half of the country’s rural settlements are set to gain high-speed internet access via fiber-optic lines over the next two years. As part of the “Last Mile” project, fiber optics will be extended to hundreds of thousands of households. Additionally, a major international project is underway: the construction of a fiber-optic communication line along the seabed of the Caspian Sea, connecting Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. “The project will strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as a digital bridge between East and West and increase the stability of international data transmission channels,” Madiev said. This initiative is set for completion by year’s end. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are jointly investing over $50 million into the project.
