Kazakhstan now leads Central Asia and the broader CIS region in mobile internet speed, marking a significant step in the country’s digital transformation.
According to the latest Speedtest Global Index by Ookla, Kazakhstan ranked 47th globally in June 2025, moving up three positions compared to the previous month. The country’s average mobile internet speed reached 87.27 Mbps, outpacing all other CIS nations.
Azerbaijan recorded 72.52 Mbps, while Armenia and Uzbekistan followed with 59.03 Mbps and 55.78 Mbps, respectively. Moldova and Kyrgyzstan also trailed behind, with average speeds of just over 54 Mbps. Meanwhile, Russia and Belarus lagged significantly, with Belarus posting only 17.97 Mbps, placing it among the lowest in the world.
Kazakhstan’s mobile internet speeds are not only leading the CIS, but are also ahead of countries such as Germany, Japan, Spain, and the United Kingdom. This momentum reflects a broader trend of steady improvement, with the country’s average mobile speeds rising by 6.7% since January.
A key driver behind this growth has been the expansion of 5G networks across Kazakhstan. Analysts from Ookla have highlighted that the deployment of 5G technology, which offers speeds up to ten times faster than 4G, has directly contributed to Kazakhstan’s rising position in global rankings.
5G promises faster data transfer rates, lower latency, and enhanced connectivity for a wide range of devices. While countries like the United States, Japan, South Korea, and China have led global 5G rollouts, Kazakhstan is rapidly establishing its place in this landscape.
This progress is also visible within the country’s major cities. Astana and Almaty now rank as the fastest among CIS cities, recording mobile internet speeds of 152.95 Mbps and 131.96 Mbps, respectively. These figures place Astana 43rd and Almaty 63rd among global cities, well ahead of Tokyo, which sits at 94th with 72.5 Mbps.
Further strengthening its digital push, Kazakhstan is advancing a pilot project to launch its first 10G broadband network in Astana. The country is also enhancing connectivity in remote and underserved regions through a new partnership with Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX.
Under a recent agreement, Starlink will officially begin selling satellite terminals in Kazakhstan starting in the third quarter of 2025, following an initial pilot program that provided connectivity to rural schools. The service, which is particularly suited for hard-to-reach areas, is expected to bring high-speed internet to mountain villages, isolated industrial sites, and remote pastoral lands where traditional infrastructure is challenging to implement.
Starlink will operate under Kazakh laws, including compliance with regulations related to information security and communications.
Starlink's technology uses thousands of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver internet with low latency, making it a viable option for areas without traditional broadband access. Since its launch in 2019, the network has grown rapidly. As of May 2025, over 7,600 Starlink satellites are in orbit, accounting for about 65% of all active satellites globally. The service now reaches around 130 countries and has over 4 million subscribers.
