Kazakhstan to introduce internet quality control

There should be competition in the Kazakh market to provide a consumer with a quality Internet. Representatives of state bodies and experts discussed prospects for the development of the telecommunications industry and digitalization at a round table in Nur-Sultan. The relevant ministry representatives noted that inspections, including of mobile operators, are carried out to improve the level of the Internet. As a result, domestic operators were fined 104 million tenge (US$241,860) for the low speed of the Internet and communication. The Head of State had recently criticized the quality of the Internet and communication in the country and had given instructions to legislate the sanctions for consumer fraud. The relevant document is currently being considered in Parliament.

“The pandemic has exposed these problems, and the availability of quality Internet leaves much to be desired. The solution here is to develop competition. There are few operators who provide such services. As we know, the law of the market states that where there is competition, there is accordingly a competition for the client. In addition, a draft law on public control is currently at the stage of approval, which will enable citizens to monitor the quality of the Internet and participate in this process,” said Zhanat Nurgaliyev, head of a non-profit organization.

Translation by Assem Zhanmukhanova

Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova