Kazakhstan has launched a pilot project in its capital, Astana, to test wired internet speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at modernizing the country's digital infrastructure and enhancing access to high-performance internet services.
The pilot project is being implemented under a memorandum of cooperation between Huawei Technologies Kazakhstan and Astana Innovations JSC, The Caspian Post reports citing foreign media.
During a recent presentation, participants were introduced to a new generation of networking equipment, including optical terminals, OLT systems, and Wi-Fi 7. In a designated demo zone, guests tested the service and confirmed its stability and high performance.
Speed measurements during the trial showed data transfer rates reaching up to 9,490 Mbps, sufficient for uninterrupted use of bandwidth-intensive applications such as 8K video streaming and cloud gaming.
Stakeholder Perspectives
Gizat Amyrgaly, Chairman of the Board at Astana Innovations JSC, underscored the significance of the rollout: “The launch of 10G in Astana is a strategic step toward building a next-generation digital infrastructure. It is important for us that innovations quickly transition from testing to practical use, delivering tangible benefits to residents and businesses.”
Sun Yaxiu, CEO of Huawei Technologies Kazakhstan, also highlighted the project’s national relevance: “We are proud that Huawei’s 10G PON technology is being introduced for the first time in an open, public project. Ultra-high-speed wired internet will open up new possibilities for the digital transformation of the urban environment, as well as for business, education, and healthcare.”
Rauan Kabdrakhimov, CEO of Enterprise CO Beeline, stated the company’s intention to move swiftly from pilot testing to real-world deployment: “Our priority as a digital operator is to apply cutting-edge technology to deliver the best customer experience. We are pleased to be a technology partner in this important initiative.”
What Is 10G PON?
10G PON refers to the next generation of wired broadband capable of speeds up to 10 gigabits per second. Unlike mobile technologies such as 4G or 5G, where the number represents a generational standard, the “10” in 10G PON denotes actual data speed.
The idea for the pilot network was first discussed in June 2025 during the China-Central Asia Forum. At that time, the Astana City Administration and Huawei signed a cooperation agreement supporting the future deployment of 50G PON and other advanced telecom solutions in the capital.
Experts say the successful trial of this technology could pave the way for the widespread introduction of advanced digital services throughout Kazakhstan.
