Organized by the Government of Mongolia, International Think Tank for LLDCs and ESCAP

Rural areas across much of Asia are undergoing profound economic, social and demographic changes. Not only goods and people, but ideas, values, and cultural practices, are moving, both physically and virtually, across multi-layered transport networks.

As more of the world becomes digital, broadband access becomes more important than ever, including in rural and remote areas. National programmes to develop the information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and reduce the digital divide are recognized as essential to the achievement of national socioeconomic development plans.

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) drive socioeconomic progress, and with the advent of advanced and emerging technologies, there is a growing demand for fibre-optic networks that can deliver broadband services. As the cost of building the fibre-optic infrastructure is high, co-deployment could minimize costs during construction. Moreover, co-deployment creates opportunities for new business models for various infrastructure facilities, and initiates long-term strategic planning for the development of infrastructure networks.

The telecommunications sector in Kazakhstan is one of the most advanced in the North and Central Asia region. Significant efforts have been made to develop the information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure with existing fibre-optic communications lines located along main highways and major cities. Telecommunications services are generally affordable, and as a result, a relatively high percentage of its population has access to broadband services.