 Communications
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The
largest supplier of telecommunication services
in Kazakhstan is Kazakhtelecom, which provides
1.822 million telephone lines throughout the country.
The company is the sole national operator of the
state-owned telecommunication networks, and is
vested with exclusive rights to serve international
and long-distance calls. The range of Kazakhtelecom's
services includes telegraph, telex, Internet,
radio and satellite communications, subscription
TV, etc., in which area the company is the principal
operator in Kazakhstan. It also has stakes in
the largest national operators of mobile communications,
Altel and GSM Kazakhstan (50% and 49%, respectively).
In 2001-2005, Kazakhtelecom will invest $240 million
in modernisation.
"We are preparing one project of liberalization
in the telecommunication sector. It will be a slow
step-by-step project. And we should create two national
operators. There are 2 operators already: they are
market observers. We shall introduce the next page.
It is a great interest displayed today to this very
particular sector. That's why we cooperate with
the largest western companies like Siemens, narrow
do with Chinese departments," Minister
of transport and communications, Mr. Nagmanov said.
The
largest providers of telecommunication services
in Kazakhstan are Kazakhtelecom, K-Cell, K-Mobil,
Altel, Nursat and Ducat.
Ducat, one of the most prospective group of companies
registered under one brand name, is a famous telecom
company in the communication market of Kazakhstan.
Ducat is famous for it Internet and its qualitative
telecom services. "According to our research
we are number two in the country behind Kazakhtelecom.
The group had about 15 million turnover last year,
just under 15 million," CEO
of Ducat, Mr. Seidenfeld, said. |
Modern
telecommunications technology is being actively
introduced in the country. There are several Internet
providers on the Kazakh market, and paging and
mobile communications technology is undergoing
a boom. "Kazakhstan is not "a white
spot" anymore. The person who comes here
is not lost. Any subscriber, who comes from Europe,
USA, anywhere with his cell phone, may use it
on territory of Kazakhstan anywhere. The question
is already solved," President
of K-Mobile, Mr. Erimbetov considers.
"Now
people can afford to spend some money on mobile
services. During these 4 years we covered almost
all major cities of Kazakhstan, including some
roads. 54% of population is given that service.
The problem for us in Kazakhstan is the size of
the country. With 15 mln. people living here,
it is less populated then the Sahara," Mr.
Ege, President of K-Cell said.
Kazakhstan's entry into the global telecommunications
space demands that the national telecommunications
network be integrated with the networks of neighbouring
countries as well as major international telecommunications
centres.
In line with the Programme of Modernisation and
Development of the General Use Telecommunications
Network, a gradual re-equipment is under way,
aimed at upgrading the national system to international
standards.
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