Minister of Digital Development blames low mobile rates and market monopoly for poor internet connectivityLow mobile rates and the presence of monopoly in the market are behind poor internet connectivity in Kazakhstan, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Bagdat Musin said."The rates of our mobile operators are in the top 20 or to be more exact in the top 10 cheapest in the world. Low rates expose the operator to risks since developing business, building networks, and improving quality require investment," Musin posted on social media on Thursday.Rising data traffic increases the load on telecom networks, while mobile rates are lagging behind."According to iKS-Consulting, mobile data traffic per user in Kazakhstan was 13.9 GB per month in 2022, or at least twice as much as in North America with the average data traffic per user of 5.6 GB per month. It's a huge load on mobile 4G/5G networks," Musin said.The cost of infrastructure maintenance to cover the entire Kazakhstan is increasing.“Any infrastructure needs constant updates, whether it's a thermal power plant or a sewerage system. Many of our infrastructure facilities are not in the best shape, because officials were irresponsible to think 10 years ahead when everything would be crumbling down. We are already witnessing the dire consequences of dilapidated infrastructure in other industries. Likewise, 5G networks will require large investments," the minister said.Musine noted that the monopoly of Kazakhtelecom also holds back the development of the mobile communication market. "The goals of demonopolization are stills relevant, one of the telecom operators should pull out of Kazakhtelecom," he said."The ministry has big plans for expanding the network and introducing new technologies, so telecom operators are facing concrete tasks to accomplish in the coming years," Musin said. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX