Illustration: AI
Kazakhstan plans to launch a publicly accessible map of mobile phone and internet coverage by the end of 2026. Residents will be able to check which networks are available in their communities and report problems through e-Otinish. The Telecommunications Committee of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development announced the plans (inbusiness.kz).
What happened
The map will show different generations of mobile networks — 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G — as well as fibre-optic internet. Data will be broken down by locality, operator and connection technology. This will make it possible to track the development of telecommunications infrastructure across the regions.
The service will be linked to the e-Otinish system for submitting requests and complaints: users will be able to report connectivity problems through the map. Reports will go to the relevant authorities, which must review them within the time limits set by law.
What this means
Coverage indicates that a network is available, but does not in itself guarantee a stable internet connection everywhere in a community. Quality depends on network load, terrain, buildings and the user’s location relative to base stations. Local problems can therefore occur even where an operator reports coverage.
“Coverage availability and actual service quality are different characteristics and require separate assessment,” the committee said. The ministry monitors telecommunications service quality and identifies problem areas.
The committee has yet to clarify whether the map will allow users to check service quality at a specific address or compare operators’ performance. It also gave no deadlines for operators to remedy identified violations or details of measures they would face for failing to do so.
What data is available on villages
According to the committee, Kazakhstan has 6,096 rural settlements. Mobile 4G internet is available in 4,497 villages — roughly three-quarters of the total. The committee listed 3G for another 550 villages and 2G for 509.
These figures cover 5,556 villages in total. The committee did not explain why the statistics contain no data on the remaining 540 settlements. It also did not disclose how many villages have problems with mobile phone and internet service quality.
How the map will be funded
There are no plans to allocate additional funds from the national budget to develop and maintain the map. The project is to be funded through the State Radio Frequency Service’s existing operating mechanisms. According to the committee, mobile operators will not face any additional costs either.
The cost of developing, launching and maintaining the map is still unknown: costs will be determined during preparations. The launch is planned by the end of 2026. The committee has yet to announce an exact date or how often the data will be updated.
