On January 17, the Astana Hub hosted a strategic session dedicated to the development of the new Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Telecommunications". This Law will be an important step in adapting the legal framework to the realities of the digital world and creating an ecosystem that meets the challenges of the time.
The session was organized by the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan (ICRIAP) and the QazTech Association. The leading experts of the telecommunications industry, representatives of government agencies, businesses and public organizations gathered at one site. The main objective of the meeting was to identify ways to develop the telecommunications sector in the coming decades.
As noted by Askhat Orazbek, Vice Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, the current law has reliably supported the industry for 20 years, but the time has come to update it. It is necessary to determine what technologies and regulatory measures Kazakhstan will need for the next 20-30 years in order to create convenient business conditions and ensure high-quality services for the population.
Legislative changes are aimed at developing the communications infrastructure, increasing its accessibility and quality. Deputy of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Ekaterina Smyshlyaeva emphasized:

"As a legislator, I participate and support this process. The changes should be aimed at developing the industry, creating comfortable conditions for consumers and optimal conditions for operators. It is also important to ensure the effectiveness of the regulator. This is important work, and I am sure that our joint efforts will lead to positive results."
The law, which once regulated only telephony and postal services, now needs to be revised to take into account new technologies such as the Internet, Wi-Fi, radio frequencies and 5G.
Damir Seisembekov, Chairman of the Telecommunications Committee of the ICRIAP RK, added that the working group was actively working on proposals received from market participants. Draft laws are currently being developed to improve regulation in the industry. Much attention is paid to radio frequencies and technologies such as 5G and Wi-Fi.
The draft Law plans to update the conceptual framework, provide for amendments to update criteria for data centers, introduce private Internet traffic exchange points, update conditions for the use of non-geostationary orbits, norms related to the construction of telecommunications infrastructure, etc.
"We see that the communications infrastructure is being transformed. Previously, the classical infrastructure based on copper lines and telephone connections prevailed. Today, the infrastructure has become converged: it is based on fiber and wireless technologies and provides telephone, Internet, video surveillance, Internet of Things, etc.
Responsible telecom operators build expensive and redundant infrastructure that requires significant capital investment and payback. Both large and small companies operate within this paradigm. However, there are pseudo-operators who create artificial competition without investing anything in infrastructure, and thus harm the market. In this regard, I proposed to return licensing for the provision of Internet services," says Nurlan Meirmanov, Chief Strategy and External Asset Management Officer at Kazakhtelecom JSC.
Special attention was paid to local telecom operators who need support for further development.
"The most important issue is the support of local telecom operators. In highly competitive conditions, it is important to create conditions so that operators not only survive, but also develop. If we leave only a few major players on the market, this will lead to a decrease in the quality of services and a limited choice for consumers. Therefore, it is necessary to support small and medium-sized operators that can effectively operate in local markets.

All changes in legislation and regulation should be aimed at developing the market, improving the quality of services for consumers and creating conditions for sustainable growth of the industry. We must actively work with investors, experts and operators to develop solutions that will ensure development at both the technological and legislative levels," Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev, Adviser to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, said in his speech.
The updated law will become the basis for the effective development of the telecommunications industry, create favorable business conditions and improve the quality of services for the citizens of Kazakhstan.
Thanks to the joint efforts of experts, operators and government agencies, Kazakhstan will continue to strengthen its position as a technological leader in the region.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mdai/press/news/details/920256