Development of 5G networks in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Communication Services Market

Main article: Communication (Kazakhstan market)

2023

How 5G networks are developing in Kazakhstan

As of mid-2023, there are about 1000 5G base stations operating in Kazakhstan, and related services are provided in 15 cities of the country. At the same time, the pace of 5G development is accelerating, as stated in the report of Ookla, published on February 19, 2024.

Kazakhstan As of 2023, 5G networks are being developed by Mobile Telecom Services (brands Tele2 Altel and) and, Kcell which are part of "": Kazakhtelecom they received two 100 MHz frequency blocks in the spectrum range of 3.6-3.8 GHz. Licensing terms initially required the deployment of 7,000 5G base stations across Kazakhstan by the end of 2027. However, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on operators to achieve the goal by the end of 2025.

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Ookla

The study says that by the end of 2023, users of 5G-enabled devices in Kazakhstan had an average data download speed of 70.05 Mbps. This is 2.48 times more compared to the indicator of local 4G networks - 28.26 Mbps. At the same time, in terms of sending information towards the base station, the difference is small: devices with 5G support show an average speed of about 16.54 Mbps, and 4G sets - 12.09 Mbps.

At the same time, the introduction of 5G made it possible to increase the average speed of mobile Internet access in the country as a whole (taking into account all cellular standards). By the end of 2023, it reached 35.07 Mbps against 21.29 Mbps a year earlier. As a result, Kazakhstan rose by 23 positions in the Speedtest Global Index ranking, taking 72nd place in 2023 compared to 95th position in 2022. Kazakhstan is ahead Uzbekistan of neighboring countries such as (95th in 2023), (Kyrgyzstan 100th position) and (Tajikistan 141st place). Speedtest Intelligence data shows that the share of 5G device owners in Kazakhstan reached 53% among the total number of subscribers by the end of 2023.^[1]

More than 600 base stations for 5G networks installed in Kazakhstan

As of mid-November 2023, more than 600 5G base stations have been installed in Kazakhstan. Of these, over 70 are located in the capital of the republic - Astana. This was announced on November 17, 2023 by Olzhas Kabenov, head of the department for monitoring and development of wireless communications projects of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan (ICRIAP).

According to him, 5G stations are located primarily in crowded places. At the same time, according to the resource Sputnik Kazakhstan, operators independently plan the development of the fifth generation cellular infrastructure. It is expected that by the end of 2023, 5G networks will cover at least 15% of Astana. By the end of 2025, such services within the framework of the Accessible Internet project should cover at least 75% of the territories of cities of republican significance and 60% of the territories of regional centers.

More than 600 5G base stations installed in Kazakhstan

According to Kabenov, compared to networks of previous generations, 5G technology not only provides high data transfer rates, lower latency and the ability to connect a large number of users, but also has higher efficiency for the development of the state and business. Therefore, the introduction of 5G will significantly accelerate the pace of digitalization in the country.

It is also noted that as of November 2023, several dozen residential complexes remain in Astana, where the quality of communication is low. For such areas, the installation of antenna-mast structures is resolved. In accordance with the construction standards in force in the country, it is not allowed to install masts if the distance between houses is less than 5 meters. Therefore, the Ministry of Digital Development of Kazakhstan proposes to allocate space for cellular towers at the stage of designing residential areas.^[2]

2021: Launch of 5G network available to all users

In early September 2021 Tele2 , it launched the first network Kazakhstan 5G available to all users. The operator provided coverage with this technology on the street. Panfilova from GATOB to the street. Karasai batyr and the Kaisar Plaza business center in Almaty.

The number of 5G zones and coverage will expand over time. Work is also underway to increase the number of models of devices with support for 5G technology, in terms of obtaining manufacturer certificates, - said Sergei Konkov, General Director of Tele2 Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan launches first 5G network available to all users

The company pointed to the high speed of 5G networks. The technology is almost 10 times faster than 4G and is designed to operate at an average speed of 150-200 Mbps. Peak speed can reach more than 1 Gbps (not tested, the figure was 1.2 Gbps). There is little to no latency when using a device connected to a 5G network.

Tele2 has provided its subscribers with the opportunity to use unlimited Internet in the 5G network. There are no restrictions on the amount of traffic consumed, nor on the speed of access. Very soon, the fifth generation technology will appear at the high-mountain sports complex "Medeo" - work is underway to plan and install equipment, the company said in early September 2021.

The operator listed some models of smartphones that support 5G networks from Tele2:

• Xiaomi Mi 11;
• Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro;
• Xiaomi Mi 10T;
• Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G;
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G;
• Xiaomi POCO F3;
• Xiaomi POCO M3 PRO;
• Huawei P40 Pro;
• Huawei P40;
• Vivo X50 Pro.

Tele2 said in a statement that by September 2021, the company continues to actively work on the development of the LTE network, including in remote settlements of Kazakhstan. Having taken an active part in the "250 +" project, Tele2 provided several hundred villages of our country with mobile communications and the Internet over the year^[3]

2019: Launch of commercial 5G network

October 24, 2019 it became known about the launch in Kazakhstan of the first commercial network of the fifth generation (5G). It was deployed in Nur-Sultan by Kazakhtelecom.

Coverage of the new Non-Stand-Alone mode is provided in the 3.5 GHz radio frequency band, which is the most recommended and popular spectrum in the world for 5G.

It became known about the launch in Kazakhstan of the first commercial network of the fifth generation (5G)

The commercial 5G network was launched on the basis of the infrastructure of Altel and Kazakhtelecom. The technology works in a new frequency range, it is called 5G New Radio. These are separate radio modules that provide high-quality access, in a certain limited area.

The technology works in such a way that the 5G network is integrated with the 4G network, and in fact, users will be able to move between technologies, which will provide them with the appropriate level of service, Kazakhtelecom reported.

5G networks in Kazakhstan are planned to be used to provide mobile communications and Internet access services for the population, as well as for projects in the field of the Internet of Things, smart cities and production. In fact, 5G networks will become the basis for the digital transformation of companies and the development of the digital economy.

Earlier, Kazakhtelecom has already conducted several field tests of the 5G network in Nur-Sultan and Almaty in various radio frequency bands. In May 2019, within the framework of the Astana Economic Forum, the first voice and video call in Kazakhstan via 5G was made.

The mass launch of 5G networks in Kazakhstan is scheduled for 2021-2022.

The approach in any case will be phased, because the technology is not cheap. We are now writing a big strategy called the 5G Network Deployment Strategy. This document will be ready within six months. We will tell you about it separately, - said Nurlan Meyrmanov, Chief Innovation Director of Kazakhtelecom JSC, at a presentation dedicated to the launch of the first commercial 5G network in the country.[4]

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