Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan launch pioneering Caspian undersea fibre cable project

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have officially launched the active phase of an ambitious project to lay the first-ever fibre-optic cable beneath the Caspian Sea—a major step toward transforming the region’s digital infrastructure and strengthening connectivity between Asia and Europe.

According to Kazakh media, the submarine cable will stretch from the Kazakh port city of Aktau to the Azerbaijani city of Sumgayit, forming a high-speed data corridor across the Caspian. Once completed, the line will serve as a critical telecommunications link along the Digital Silk Road, with a projected transmission capacity of at least 400 terabits per second.

Bagdat Mussin, Chairman of Kazakhtelecom, marked the milestone in a Telegram post on August 6, writing: "Now, standing on the shores of the Caspian, I will admire not only its grandeur. The first optical cable in history will be laid along the bottom of the Caspian Sea between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. From Aktau to Sumgayit. We are finally beginning the active part of the project, and I am very pleased to be part of it.”

According to Mussin, specialists from Kazakhtelecom and AzerTelecom have already completed essential groundwork, including coastal surveys and the selection of locations for the beach manholes and landing stations on both sides of the sea.

This week, the project entered its next operational phase with the departure of a specialised vessel from the port of Bautino. The ship is equipped to conduct a comprehensive survey of the seabed, examining depths, terrain, underwater currents, and geological fault lines—an essential process for mapping the cable’s final route and ensuring technical feasibility.

Spanning approximately 380 kilometres across the seabed, the fibre-optic line is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. Officials expect it to significantly boost internet quality in Central Asia and the South Caucasus, making the region a more integral player in the global digital economy.

“When the first byte of data passes through this artery, a new chapter in the region’s digital history will begin,” Mussin added.

By Tamilla Hasanova