Kazakhtelecom JSC and Amazon Kuiper signed a cooperation agreement

In New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Kazakhtelecom JSC and Amazon Kuiper signed a strategic agreement. According to the document, the national operator becomes the commercial distributor of Kuiper satellite internet services in Kazakhstan. The signing ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The agreement was signed by Chairman of the Board of Kazakhtelecom Bagdat Mussin and Lisa Scalpone, Head of Worldwide Consumer at Project Kuiper. Under the terms of the agreement, Kazakhtelecom will receive the rights to distribute services in the retail, corporate, and partially B2G segments.

Internet in remote regions

Amazon Kuiper is building a system of more than 3,200 low-earth orbit satellites that will provide stable internet coverage even in the most remote areas. Under the agreement, Amazon will invest in the construction of ground infrastructure in Almaty, Akkol, and Aktau, as well as establish a point of presence in Kazakhstan.

“High-speed satellite internet will cover the entire territory of Kazakhstan and will be available in rural settlements, industrial zones, transport corridors, and social infrastructure facilities. Our agreement with Amazon Kuiper is another step towards the development of the country’s digital infrastructure,” said Bagdat Mussin, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhtelecom JSC.

Amazon’s first major investment in the region

For Kazakhstan, this agreement represents the first major investment from a global technology giant of the MAGAM level (Microsoft, Apple, Google, Amazon, Meta). Project Kuiper has already launched more than 100 satellites into orbit and continues to expand production, processing, and launches in preparation for the start of its services.

Amazon Kuiper, in cooperation with the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, plans to ensure full compliance with national regulations on the provision of communication services. The Samruk-Kazyna Fund also expressed its support for the project and is considering the possibility of applying Kuiper technologies in national companies.

“Project Kuiper was created to provide fast and reliable internet to customers and communities around the world. We are proud to partner with regional operators such as Kazakhtelecom to bring the service to even more locations. We look forward to supporting Kazakhstan’s strategy in the field of artificial intelligence and digital transformation, as well as contributing to the adoption of technologies and economic growth in the country,” said Lisa Scalpone, Head of Worldwide Consumer at Project Kuiper.

Technological foundation

Project Kuiper is based on a constellation of low-earth orbit satellites interconnected by laser optical links. This architecture creates a network structure in space and connects with a global system of antennas, fiber-optic lines, and internet hubs on Earth.