Freedom Telecom to construct national hyper data transfer system by 2026

Freedom Telecom Holding is set to establish the West-East fiber-optic hyperhighway, as well as a data processing center (Tier III or higher) to transit and store international traffic, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan reported. The corresponding agreement was signed on Feb. 6, 2024.

«The national West-East fiber-optic hyperhighway will boost the volume of data transferred through Kazakhstan and solidify its role in international internet traffic transit. This project aims to reduce delays in data transfer, increase connection speed and create an alternate route for traffic transit between Europe and Asia,» the agency said in a statement.

Construction of the hyperhighway is expected to be completed in 2026. Once the new infrastructural project is implemented, it will give a powerful impetus to Kazakhstan’s competitiveness in the sphere of digital services and create favorable conditions for attracting global IT companies. This is particularly important for developing cloud computing, financial operations, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.    

Alongside the hyperhighway Kazakhstan will also be engaged in developing modern data processing centers capable of ensuring traffic connectivity and content storage.

The project’s implementation is expected to be funded through private investments. Kursiv.media previously reported that the cost of the hyperhighway construction is estimated at approximately $33.3 million, while two data processing centers in G4 City near Konayev in the Almaty region and in Aktau are projected to cost roughly $175.5 million.

Notably, Kazakhtelecom, the largest telecommunications company in Kazakhstan, has also decided to focus on digitalization, prioritizing cloud computing, data processing centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure after the sale of Mobile Telecom-Service (operating under the Tele2/Altel brands) to Qatari investors.