AzerTelecom and Kazakhtelecom, the telecommunications operators of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, have signed a shareholder agreement to establish a joint venture for the construction and operation of the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Communication Line (FOCL).
This agreement marks another significant step forward in the ongoing partnership of the companies for the construction of the fiber-optic line, which will extend across the seabed of the Caspian Sea along the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan route.
The agreement was signed by Vasyl Latsanych, the Head of Telecom at NEQSOL Holding, a diversified international group of companies which includes AzerTelecom, and Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev, Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakhtelecom. The document outlines the purpose and objectives of the joint venture, focusing on governance, as well as the construction and operation of the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Communication Line along the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan route.
According to Vasyl Latsanych, the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Communication Line will enable high-capacity data transmission, connecting regions and transcending geographical boundaries.
“Collaboration between AzerTelecom and Kazakhtelecom will contribute to establish access to new markets and improve the internet usability and data transmission capacity of the countries. Moreover, what makes the project unique is its distinction as the first undersea cable route to be built along the seabed of the Caspian Sea,” he said, according to Trend.
Sergey Nazarenko, Chief Operations Officer of AzerTelecom, believes that the establishment of this joint venture has the potential to significantly transform the communications infrastructure in the region. Furthermore, it is expected to create exceptional opportunities for the digital development of the countries and businesses.
Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev, in turn, said that Kazakhtelecom and AzerTelecom, recognized as industry leaders in their respective fields, are fully aware of the transformative potential of this project and have united their efforts to turn this potential into a reality.
“Together, we will join our expertise, resources, and vision to ensure the successful construction and operation of the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Communication Line,” he concluded.
The Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Communication Line is an Asian segment of the “Digital Silk Way” project. It plays a key role in enhancing digital infrastructure for connectivity services and creating a digital telecommunication corridor between Europe and Asia.
The “Digital Silk Way” project aims to create a modern transit fiber-optic network that will greatly improve digital connectivity in the Caucasus, Central Asia, and South Asia.
The project was recognized as one of the top five strategic infrastructure projects in Asia at the Global Strategic Infrastructure Leadership Forum in the United States.