In 2025, Kazakhstan’s telecom market expanded by 11.8% to reach 1,522 billion tenge, according to a recent study. Growth was driven by rising internet traffic, increasing demand for digital services, and higher tariffs linked to large-scale infrastructure investments. Looking ahead, the market will continue to evolve through wider 5G rollout, business diversification by operators, and new products in the B2B segment.
The study was conducted by Nexign and the analytics agency TelecomDaily. The market has been growing steadily in recent years: up 11% in 2024 and 11.8% in 2025. This is well above global trends. For comparison, the global telecom market grew by about 2.5% annually over the same period, while Russia posted 6.5% growth last year.
Mobile services remain the main source of revenue for operators, accounting for about 56%. Internet access brings in around 12%, while IT services make up roughly 8% of the market.
5G is the main growth driver
The key trend in mobile services is the expansion of 5G coverage. Kazakhstan was one of the first countries in the CIS to launch commercial 5G networks in 2023. Over the next few years, the technology is expected to cover all major cities and regional centers.
Heavy investment in 5G infrastructure pushed tariffs higher in 2024-2025, and this trend may continue. At the same time, pricing models are becoming more flexible. Operators are introducing subscription plans, unlimited services, and bundled offers. Instead of just selling minutes and data, they are building tailored products for different customer groups.
Operators are also expanding into additional services such as OTT platforms, fintech solutions, gaming, ticketing, and cashback programs.
Internet demand and quality are improving
The internet segment is also changing fast. The rollout of 5G is boosting mobile internet speeds. According to Speedtest data for February 2026, Kazakhstan ranks 49th globally in mobile internet speed, ahead of some developed countries.
Demand for mobile internet continues to grow, driven by streaming, social media, online entertainment, and remote work.
Under the national project “Affordable Internet,” Kazakhstan aims to provide 100% of its population with high-speed internet by 2027. The focus is on remote areas. Optical fiber is expected to reach 90% of rural settlements, while the remaining 10% will rely on satellite internet. The program is funded through a mix of public spending and partnerships with market players.
Operators are also launching Fixed Wireless Access FWA services based on 5G. This allows them to offer high-speed home internet and compete directly with traditional broadband and satellite providers.
In cities, FTTH technology is gradually replacing FTTB. Fiber is now being extended directly into homes, improving both speed and stability. This also supports bundled services that combine internet, TV, and OTT platforms.
As of early 2026, mobile internet speeds in Kazakhstan are slightly higher than fixed broadband – 99 Mbps versus 88 Mbps.
Shift toward the business segment
The retail telecom market in Kazakhstan is nearing saturation. As a result, operators are shifting their focus to B2B services. They are launching projects based on LTE and 5G for smart cities, logistics, and industrial use.
In 2024-2025, B2B services generated more than one-third of total operator revenue.
Analysts expect the telecom market to keep growing at an average rate of around 7% per year over the next three years. By 2028, it is projected to reach 1,861 billion tenge.
According to Sergey Karpov, First Deputy CEO of Nexign, Kazakhstan’s telecom market is mature and highly competitive. Success here depends not just on subscriber numbers, but on service quality and the overall digital experience.
To grow revenue, operators need modern technology platforms, especially advanced billing systems and tools for managing 4G and 5G services. These allow companies to launch new products faster, fine-tune pricing for different segments, and manage revenue more efficiently.
