Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan Launch Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable

Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan inaugurated the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable Line on October 15 in Baku. The 380-kilometer seabed cable connects Sumgayit, Azerbaijan, and Aktau, Kazakhstan, with a transmission capacity exceeding 400 terabits per second.

Developed under the Digital Silk Way initiative by NEQSOL Holding, the project was implemented by AzerTelecom and Kazakhtelecom through their joint venture CaspiLink B.V. The cable establishes a digital extension of the Middle Corridor, allowing data from China and Central Asia to reach Europe via Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. This route provides Kazakhstan with a critical alternative to routing international internet traffic through Russian networks and supports the development of its Data Center Valley in Ekibastuz for artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

During the inauguration, the leaders described the project as a digital innovation that strengthens cooperation between Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Parallel to the cable launch, Azerbaijan's Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev and Kazakhstan's Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev signed an agreement to develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. Additionally, Samruk-Kazyna JSC finalized the acquisition of two dry cargo vessels from AZCON Holding to bolster regional logistics.