Kazakhstan to equip aircraft and trains with satellite internet

The satellite internet connection is set to be available on Air Astana aircraft and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (Kazakhstan Railways) trains in 2026, Minister of AI and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev announced during a government session.

He said that there are three satellite internet providers currently operating in Kazakhstan, with two international companies expected to enter in the near future. Pilot trials are expected to be conducted this year.

Regional authorities are tasked with bringing satellite internet to tourist and remote locations using local budgets.

Furthermore, Madiyev said that the project to provide mobile coverage along roads is underway in Kazakhstan. It covers 40,000 kilometers of national and regional roads and is scheduled for completion within the next two years.

Moreover, the installation of new 5G base stations is underway in Kazakhstan. The network standard is currently available in 20 cities, and authorities plan to cover 75% of their area.

Madiyev added that there are more than 6,000 rural settlements in Kazakhstan.

«Of these, 3,000 will be provided with high-speed internet via fiber-optic communication lines this year and next. Therefore, 99% of the population will have access to high-speed internet,» the minister said.

Alongside the rollout of internet access to rural areas, work is underway to lay fiber-optic networks to every home. This project is called «The Last Mile.» It includes the construction of fiber-optic connections to up to 400,000 households. In addition, 2.5 million people will be covered, the minister announced.