Russia, Kazakhstan Discuss Joint Fiber-Optic Cable Project Across Caspian Sea

Russian Minister of Digital Development Maksut Shadayev has announced that the Russian and Kazakh Ministries of Digital Development, together with Rostelecom company and Kazakhtelecom company, are in discussions to launch a joint project for the construction of a fiber-optic communication line (FOCL) along the seabed of the Caspian Sea.

Shadayev made these remarks during the third Caspian Digital Forum, The Caspian Post reports via Russian media.

“We are now actively discussing - together with our colleagues from Kazakhstan’s digital ministry, as well as Kazakhtelecom and Rostelecom - the possibility of constructing a fiber-optic line along the seabed of the Caspian Sea. This would provide a direct digital connection between our regions and countries such as Armenia, Iran, and Kazakhstan. The project is back on the table for active consideration,” Shadayev said.

The minister noted that the initiative could accelerate digital transformation and strengthen interconnectivity among all Caspian littoral states.

A similar Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan FOCL project is already under construction. The 380-kilometer undersea cable, linking Sumgayit (Azerbaijan) and Aktau (Kazakhstan), is scheduled for completion by 2027 and will have a planned transmission capacity of up to 400 terabits per second (Tbps).