Baku, Astana to invest $50.6 million in Trans-Caspian fiber optic cable project

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are set to invest over $50.6 million in a joint venture to lay a Trans-Caspian fiber-optic communication line (FOCL) along the bed of the Caspian Sea, according to a statement from Kazakh Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev.

The project, part of the "Digital Silk Road" initiative, aims to establish a vital digital telecommunication corridor connecting Europe and Asia. The FOCL will span 370 kilometers from Aktau in Kazakhstan to Sumgayit in Azerbaijan, with a maximum throughput capacity of 400 Tbps, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

Madiyev announced the establishment of a joint venture between Kazakhtelecom JSC and AzerTelecom LLC, noting that a tender to select a contractor for designing and laying the underwater fiber optic cable is nearing completion.

Scheduled for completion by 2025, the project underscores the strategic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan in enhancing regional connectivity and advancing digital infrastructure across the Caspian Sea.

The initiative is expected to foster economic development, facilitate high-speed internet connectivity, and strengthen digital communication capabilities between the two countries and beyond.