Kazakhstan expands centralized control over internet traffic
Prague, November 10, Free Eurasia. A revised version of Kazakhstan’s rules for the centralized management of telecommunications networks will take effect on November 15. Mobile operators, hosting providers and operators whose networks use online platforms’ cache servers will have to connect to the system.
Kazakh outlet Profit.kz reported the change, citing the newspaper Uralskaya Nedelya. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Kazakh Service, Azattyq, also included the new internet-control order in its November 9 AzatNews roundup. The order, No. 133/QE, was issued by the National Security Committee on October 30 and published on November 4. The new rules take effect ten calendar days after publication. Astana’s official portal also reported on the changes.
What is changing
Previously, the centralized system mainly covered traffic between long-distance and international telecommunications operators. Under the new rules, internet traffic from mobile subscribers will also pass through its nodes. The requirements also apply to hosting providers and operators that connect cache servers to their networks. These servers store copies of online platforms’ data to make it load faster.
The system is operated by the state-owned State Technical Service, which issues technical specifications, inspects equipment and server rooms, and arranges connections. The rules say the service carries out instructions from national security agencies and the authorized media regulator, including configuring network and resource-management settings.
Impact on users remains unclear
The rule change does not impose new obligations or direct fees on ordinary subscribers. It is not yet clear, however, how connecting additional networks will affect internet speed and reliability or operators’ costs and customer rates. Profit.kz notes that the rules do not specify the cost of renting port capacity or clarify the procedure and duration of individual instructions, or how they can be appealed.
The expanded system means that instructions to block online resources could technically be implemented at the mobile-operator level as well. Such blocks have been used before; the published rules alone do not show whether their number or application will change. The measure therefore expands the infrastructure for centralized network management, but does not by itself establish a new system of total control over internet content.
Published explanations cited by media outlets do not estimate the possible impact on connection quality or subscriber prices.
