Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan begin marine surveys for constructing Trans-Caspian fiber-optic cable line

BAKU. Aug 6 (Interfax) - Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have started conducting marine surveys of a route as part of the project to build the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic cable line, the Azerbaijani company AzerTelecom said.

"The surveys will cover an analysis of coastal areas and a detailed study of the seabed. This work will determine the shortest, safest and most environmentally sustainable route for implementing this strategically important project. The surveys, launched simultaneously in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, will last up to four weeks," the company said.

In Azerbaijan, the vessel Turkan has been engaged in the work.

"With the start of marine route surveys, we are moving to the implementation of a key stage of construction. At this stage of the project, which will strengthen regional digital connectivity and turn the Caspian Sea into a crucial element of global digital infrastructure, advanced technologies and professional specialists are being employed," AzerTelecom Board Chairman Emil Masimov was quoted as saying.

As reported, the project envisions laying a 380-kilometer underwater fiber-optic cable line along the Caspian seabed between Sumgait (Azerbaijan) and Aktau (Kazakhstan). With a planned capacity of up to 400 Tbit/s, this underwater line will enable the transmission of large amounts of data. Construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The project is being implemented by AzerTelecom on the Azerbaijani side and JSC Kazakhtelecom on the Kazakh side. Technical supervision and consulting support are being provided by U.S.-based Pioneer Consulting.

In early March 2025, AzerTelecom Board Chairman Emil Masimov and Kazakhtelecom Board Chairman Bagdat Musin signed a document confirming the agreement on constructing the fiber-optic line along the Caspian seabed.

The Trans-Caspian fiber-optic cable line is part of the Digital Silk Way megaproject to create a digital telecommunications corridor passing through Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. The infrastructure will provide the most efficient and fastest route with high data transfer speeds and minimal latency, significantly strengthening regional cooperation and promoting the sustainable development of these countries.

AzerTelecom, a leading telecommunications company in Azerbaijan, is part of NEQSOL Holding.

Kazakhtelecom holds a dominant position in the Kazakh telecommunications market, providing fixed-line telephony, broadband internet, digital television and mobile services. Its main shareholders are the Samruk-Kazyna state fund (71.32%) and Telecom Systems Ltd (8.1%).