On 17 January, Astana Hub hosted a strategic session dedicated to the development of a new Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan ‘On Telecommunications’. This Law will be an important step in adapting the legal framework to the realities of the digital world and creating an ecosystem that meets the challenges of the time.

The session was organised by the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MDIAP) and the QazTech Association. Leading experts from the telecommunications industry, representatives of government agencies, businesses and public organisations gathered on one platform. The main objective of the meeting was to identify ways to develop the telecoms sector over the coming decades.

As noted by Askhat Orazbek, Vice Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, the current law has reliably supported the industry for 20 years, but the time has come to update it. It is necessary to determine what technologies and regulatory measures Kazakhstan will need for the next 20-30 years to create a convenient environment for business and provide high-quality services for the population.

Legislative changes are aimed at the development of communication infrastructure, increasing its availability and quality. Ekaterina Smyshlyayeva, a deputy of the Majilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, emphasised:

‘As a legislator, I participate and support this process. Changes should be aimed at the development of the industry, creating comfortable conditions for consumers,and  optimal for operators. It is also important to ensure the effectiveness of the regulator. This is important work, and I am confident that our joint efforts will lead to positive results.’

The law, which once regulated only telephony and postal services, now needs to be revised to take into account new technologies such as the internet, Wi-Fi, radio frequencies and 5G.

Damir Seisembekov, chairman of the Telecommunications Committee of ICRIAP RK, added that the working group has been actively working on the proposals received from market participants. Now draft laws are being developed, which should improve regulation in the industry. Much attention is paid to radio frequencies and technologies such as 5G and Wi-Fi.

The draft law is planned to update the conceptual apparatus, provide for amendments to update criteria for data centres, introduce private Internet traffic exchange points, update conditions for the use of non-geostationary orbits, regulations related to the construction of telecommunications infrastructure, etc.
‘We see that the telecoms infrastructure is transforming. Previously, classical infrastructure based on copper lines and telephone connections prevailed. Today, the infrastructure has become converged: it is based on fibre and wireless technologies and provides telephone, internet, video surveillance, internet of things, etc. services.

Responsible telecom operators build expensive and redundant infrastructure that requires significant capital investment and payback. Both large and small companies operate within this paradigm. However, there are pseudo-operators who create artificial competition without investing anything in infrastructure and thereby harm the market. In this regard, I proposed to return licensing for the provision of Internet services.’, - Nurlan Meirmanov, Chief Director for Strategy and Management of External Assets of Kazakhtelecom JSC, shares his opinion.

Special attention was paid to local telecom operators, which need support for further development.

‘The most important issue is the support of local telecom operators. In the conditions of high competition, it is important to create such conditions so that the operators not only survive, but also develop. If we leave only a few large players in the market, it will lead to a decrease in the quality of services and limit the choice for consumers. Therefore, it is necessary to support small and medium-sized operators that can work effectively in local markets.

All changes in legislation and regulation should be aimed at developing the market, improving the quality of services for consumers and creating conditions for sustainable growth of the industry. We must actively work with investors, experts and operators to develop solutions that will ensure development both at the technological and legislative levels,’ said Kuanyshbek Esekeev, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in his speech.

The updated law will become the basis for the effective development of the telecommunications industry, create favourable conditions for business and improve the quality of services for the citizens of Kazakhstan.

Thanks to the joint efforts of experts, operators and government agencies, Kazakhstan will continue to strengthen its position as a technological leader in the region.