License and frequencies
A new mobile operator will appear in Kazakhstan. This was announced this spring by the Chairman of the Agency for the Protection and Development of Competition, Serik Zhumangarin , to whom Kazinform refers. Here's what the official said about this:
— Today there are two large mobile operators - the group (which owns Tele2, Altel and Kcell) and Beeline. We are now trying to ensure that a third operator appears on the market. But it has problems: it doesn't have access to radio frequencies. He wants to get access to radio frequencies, but they offer him to first get a license, and then he will only have access to radio frequencies, and he goes to get a license, they tell him: first get a radio frequency. He has no way to get it. Now we are resolving this issue and, God willing, another mobile operator will appear next year. This will be the local operator Transtelecom.
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According to the agency's chairman, it is expected that by 2025 the new operator will occupy about 5% of the market, but the calculations may not yet be confirmed.
— Usually these operators experience rapid, exponential growth. Until 2025 it will occupy about 1.5% of the market . “Transtelecom is a private company that provides services to villages and so on that are located along the railway,” Serik Zhumangarin clarified.
MTS tariffs in Kazakhstan in 2021 - comparison table
| Tariff | The tariff provides unlimited communication within the network and to other mobile operators both in Russia and far beyond its borders. By choosing this plan, an MTS client receives free minutes for incoming and outgoing calls, messages, and high-speed Internet (the speed is so high that it is possible to watch TV even on the road). |
| Smart | The entire line of Smart service gives its users 5 gigabytes of free Internet, the ability to make an unlimited number of calls within the network, as well as 550 messages to clients of the MTS operator. In addition, in the “Calls to numbers of other subscribers” section, calls to all operators are included in the amount of 550 minutes. |
| Smart Unlimited | The name justifies the content: here the operator removes any limits on communication, because there are absolutely no restrictions on the Internet, calls and messages. |
| X | By paying only 500 rubles a month you get unlimited Internet, the ability to call as much as you want and wherever you want. |
| My Unlimited | “Do it yourself” tariff - the subscriber configures the number of services that will be required for a month for full communication. |
| Super MTS | Minutes, messages, network traffic - everything is included at an affordable low price. This allows users with a relatively small budget not to limit themselves in communication. |
| MTS Connect-4 | Analogous to “My Unlimited”. |
| Red Energy | This standard includes free calls to all federal numbers (charges above the package are per minute); the cost of a call is 1.6 rubles. |
| ULTRA | Call and communicate without boundaries in every sense of this phrase: ● 20 gigabytes of high-speed Internet traffic; ● 5 thousand minutes for calls within the region, outside it, within the country and outside the country; ● 5 thousand messages for all operators; ● stable connection; ● prepayment; ● free connection or switching from tariff to tariff. |
| Your country | There is no subscription fee at all. |
| Smart Zabugorishche | Based on the name, we understand that this is one of the best options for cheap and a lot of calls “over the hill”. |
| Smart Top | The Smart Top tariff provides 3 thousand minutes and messages per month for comfortable communication at the international level, as well as 20 GB of high-speed Internet. |
| Second-by-second | Billing occurs per second, the price of communication is significantly lower (compared to other MTS tariffs), the cost of calls to Russia is cheaper than that of other operators. The range of services in the line includes free minutes for incoming and outgoing calls, messages, and gigabytes. |
| Super zero | For 500 rubles for 30 days, a client of the mobile communications provider MTS receives calls, messages and the Internet. |
| Our Smart | Provides 25 GB of Internet, 1.5 thousand minutes for calls, 1.5 thousand messages in the region. |
| Smart Nonstop | For 350 rubles/month the operator provides: ● unlimited surfing on the World Wide Web at night; ● per day 10 GB; ● There is no restriction on calls within the country; ● calls for more than 3 hours are free in the region. |
Originally from KTZ
Transtelecom today is one of the largest telecom operators in Kazakhstan. The history of the company began in 1999 with the branch of a structural unit from Kazakhstan Temir Zholy into an independent organization. The functionality of the company at that time was to organize technical support for the communication system in the railway sector and its further modernization. By 2017, Transtelecom had built fiber-optic communication lines with a total length of about 15,000 km, covering all regions of Kazakhstan. Today the operator specializes in providing a wide range of telecom services, digitalization and system integration in the field of IT, communications, automation and energy.
Kazakhstan entered the top 10 fast-growing countries in the ranking for mobile Internet speed
The majority shareholder and chairman of the board of directors of Transtelecom is Nurali Aliyev (No. 31 in the list of the richest businessmen in Kazakhstan in 2021 according to Forbes Kazakhstan).
Forbes.kz considered it necessary to clarify the details of the new mobile operator project with Transtelecom itself. However, having received our questions, they refused to comment a few days later.
How to activate MTS roaming in Kazakhstan
Dial *111*2192# on your smartphone keyboard and press call. This is how you can activate MTS roaming in Kazakhstan. For those who are constantly online, it is easier to use the option via the Internet - the official MTS website or mobile application. This can also be done when visiting an MTS communication salon.
"There could be a price war"
The operator's competitors turned out to be more talkative. Evgeniy Nastradin, CEO of Beeline Kazakhstan, said in a comment to our publication that competition is always good for market development:
— Therefore, we welcome the emergence of a new player in the mobile communications market. However, there are several important points that I would like to note.
Evgeny Nastradin
First, Mr. Nastradin says, the quality of communications and mobile Internet depends on many factors: the size of the country, the availability of frequency spectrum or expansion of its range, as well as operators’ access to infrastructure for construction. For example, in different cases, for high-quality coverage it is necessary to place antennas outside or inside buildings, to run cables through sewer networks or power line supports. Obstacles on each of the listed points negatively affect the quality of mobile communications in Kazakhstan.
“And the introduction of an additional mobile license in itself does not improve any of them,” Fr.
Secondly, the Internet is very cheap in Kazakhstan, the interlocutor says. According to this indicator, according to the Internet Accessibility Index, the country ranks fifth in the world from the bottom.
— At the same time, during the pandemic, Kazakhstan is one of the few countries that spent the entire year in remote learning, and the educational process was not interrupted. At the same time, the average speed increased, which is surprising given such loads. That is, the industry performed well.
Now let’s imagine that possible dumping and a market challenger will be added to this formula without increasing the frequency spectrum and changing geography. Naturally, everyone will react. A price war may arise, and a decrease in income will automatically lead to a decrease in investment. 5G plans will be pushed back indefinitely.
To summarize: if there is a goal to develop quality, technology, provide additional coverage and increase speed, the parameter of the number of frequencies per client is more important here than the number of mobile operators with the same frequency resource,” concluded Evgeniy Nastradin.
Kcell
Kcell is the leading mobile operator in the country, covering 41% of mobile users. It operates under the management of GSM Kazakhstan Ltd. under the Kcell and Activ trademarks. Partially owned by Swedish TeliaSonera, it has the best coverage.
Kcell's 2G network covers 96% of the population and 47% of the territory, while 3G is available to approximately 70% of the population: Coverage map by region. Kcell began the commercial launch of 4G/LTE in August 2016 in Almaty, Atyrau, Aktau and Shymkent, as well as through network sharing with Beeline in 9 more cities, available on prepaid.
Availability
Their SIM card is available in their stores (location of service centers) for 1500 tenge, including 1300 tenge on the balance. Foreigners must present a passport of a foreign citizen or a residence permit in the Republic of Kazakhstan or a certificate of a stateless person or a diplomatic card. The basic prepaid plan is called “Basic+” (Bazalyk+)
You can top up your account at payment terminals or use a top-up card. They are sold for 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 tenge. To top up your account you need to dial: *110*<13-digit voucher PIN code>#. Or you can top up online using a credit card.
Characteristics of data packets
For the use of mobile Internet, by default, 20.16 tenge per MB is charged on all tariffs. The following packages are available:
| Period | Volume | Price | Activation | Excessive use |
| daily = (until midnight) | 10 MB | 29 tenge | *444*1*1*1# | 4 tenge per MB |
| 20 MB | 39 tenge | *444*1*1*2# | 3 tenge per MB | |
| 40 MB | 49 tenge | *444*1*1*3# | 2 tenge per MB | |
| 100 MB | 59 tenge | *444*1*1*4# | 1 tenge per MB | |
| 30 days | 5 GB | 1490 tenge | *444*4*1*5# | Reducing the data transfer rate to 64 Kbps |
| 10 GB | 1990 tenge | *444*4*1*10# | ||
| 20 GB | 2990 tenge | *444*4*1*20# | ||
| 30 GB | 3990 tenge | *444*4*1*30# | ||
| 40 GB | 4990 tenge | *444*4*1*40# | ||
| 3 months | 20 GB behind month | 8990 tenge | *444*3*1*3# | Reducing the data transfer rate to 64 Kbps |
| 6 months | 11990 tenge | *444*3*1*2# | ||
| 12 months | 14990 tenge | *444*3*1*1# |
All packages are automatically updated. To stop daily packages, you need to dial *444*1*4#, monthly packages *444*4*4#. To check the status of packages, you need to dial *444*1*3# for daily and 444*4*3# for monthly. You can reset the high data speed on monthly packages by adding additional turbo packages:
- 500 MB: 200 tenge
- 1 GB: 400 tenge
- 2 GB: 600 tenge
- 5 GB: 1490 tenge
- 10 GB: 1990 tenge
Activation of additional packages is carried out by dialing *190#. Validity period - for the remaining time of the basic package. To check your balance you need to dial *100#.
International roaming
For roaming, Kcell sells its Internet Tourist packages:
150 MB for 5 days for 1490 tenge, activation code: *244*1#, deactivation code: *244*2#
The data volume is valid in Russia (excluding Crimea), Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, China (not including Hong Kong and Taiwan), Great Britain, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, UAE, USA, Turkey, Thailand, France, Czech Republic.
In addition, for roaming, you can purchase the following packages, valid for 10 days:
| Data volume | Price | Activation |
| 300 MB | 4490 tenge | *341*1*1# |
| 700 MB | 7690 tenge | *341*2*1# |
| 1.5 GB | 13490 tenge | *341*3*1# |
The data scope is valid in Australia, Georgia, Lithuania, Thailand, Austria, Denmark, Moldova, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Israel, the Netherlands, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Spain, Norway, Ukraine (excluding Crimea), Belarus, Italy, South Korea, France, Bulgaria , Canada, Russia (excluding Crimea), Czech Republic, UK, China, USA, Switzerland, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Japan, Hong Kong, Latvia, UAE.
Kcell is the most expensive operator for roaming than others.
More information
- APN: internet
- Website in Russian: https://www.kcell.kz/ru
On the way to reducing industry profitability
The public relations service of Kazakhtelecom also gave its comments in response to a request from Forbes.kz. They also believe that the level of competition in the cellular communications market in Kazakhstan is already high.
“Today, three operators with approximately the same level of income compete in the market. We believe that the emergence of a new operator on the market can contribute to an increase in the level of competition, which will have a positive impact primarily on consumers, because usually when a new player enters the market, it offers cheaper services compared to its competitors in order to gain market share. However, this will lead to a decrease in the profitability of the industry,” the company believes.
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Kazakhtelecom says that the CIS countries have one of the lowest levels of profitability per subscriber. In addition, Kazakhstan has a low population density - 6 people per 1 sq. km. And to provide high-quality communications at low tariffs, quite large investments are required.
“The new player will have to offer prices below current market prices to gain market share. At the same time, the level of investment of the new operator will be significant, since the existing operators already have their own extensive networks throughout the country. In terms of penetration, it should be noted that there has been a decline in recent years as more and more people abandon the second number. This trend is also relevant in Europe. As for the growth potential of the mobile market, we see several points for growth:
— further growth in data consumption, especially in rural areas;
— the introduction of new technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), can have a significant positive impact on the industry;
— introduction of 5G standard communications, concludes Kazakhtelecom.
Does MTS work in Kazakhstan?
Each user, going on a trip to any country in the world, must learn in advance about the features of their mobile operator’s tariff plans and roaming. This is necessary in order to avoid getting into an unpleasant situation and always stay in touch.
In order for your phone number to retain the ability to make and receive calls if you have already left Russia for Kazakhstan, you should first activate roaming.
To do this, follow the instructions:
- The operator has provided a quick USSD combination as one of the activation options. Just dial *111*2192# on your smartphone keyboard and press call. The simplest activation method, which does not require confirmation, codes, messages or requests. Saves time and completely eliminates connection difficulties.
- For those who are constantly online, it is easier to use the option via the Internet - the official MTS website or mobile application. In your personal account, roaming to Kazakhstan is also activated without any problems. The only requirement is a stable Internet connection.
- When visiting an MTS communication store (any one that is located nearby), specialists will also help you connect to roaming or “Zero Without Borders”. The company's official website contains a list of contact stationary customer service centers with addresses.
Can't catch up with the leaders anymore?
Forbes.kz asked several questions to the telecom market expert, head of the iKS-Consulting representative office in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Svetlana Chernenko .
F: Svetlana, in your opinion, how high is the level of competition in the cellular communications market in Kazakhstan today?
— Now the situation in the market is ideal from the point of view of competition - with the presence of a leader in the number of subscribers (Beeline), the shares of the three operators in terms of income have become equal. We can say that subscribers have decided on “their” operators.
Svetlana Chernenko
F: Surely, the existing cellular operators of the Republic of Kazakhstan are wary of the plans to launch a competitor. In your opinion, what positive and negative aspects may arise in connection with its launch?
— The entry of a new player into the market is always exciting for all participants. But I don’t think there will be any panic. The existing players have a huge lead, both technological and marketing. No matter what scenario a new network is deployed in (building your own infrastructure or renting an existing one), the leaders will no longer be able to catch up. Most likely, the newcomer will be some kind of niche player that satisfies the needs of Transtelecom’s current clients. The company will expand its own portfolio of services and increase the profitability of existing subscribers through a comprehensive offer. But I have no reason to assume a significant redistribution of the market.
F: How might the emergence of another player affect the level of prices and investments in the market?
— Tariffs for cellular communication services in Kazakhstan are now at a very acceptable level (more than one international marketing study has been conducted on the availability of our cellular communication, where we were compared with both our closest neighbors and more distant ones). Therefore, users have become, in a certain sense, inert from the good life (laughs) and no longer closely monitor changes in operator tariffs. Operators, in turn, actively take advantage of this, regularly modifying tariffs. And it continues to work: subscribers complain that the tariffs are becoming more complicated, but they still do not actively monitor them, since in general they are satisfied with the price. Thus, a new player will hardly be able to take advantage of economic benefits. And the role of the discounter in the market has already been occupied. Therefore, if we talk about a global market revolution, we need something that I, frankly, cannot even imagine.
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F: The level of cellular penetration in the country is extremely high (about 24.5 million SIM cards for 18 million inhabitants). Do you think the market still has potential for growth?
— I can’t help but be an excellent engineering and IT company, but it still hasn’t demonstrated any outstanding success in marketing (in the mass market). And for the cellular market, marketing is one of the key competencies.
In general, in the consumer market, in my opinion, the prospects for the new player are very modest. But we must not forget that there is also a market for the industrial Internet of things, which is only at the beginning of its journey. And this is exactly where a new player can succeed. But that will be a slightly different story. I believe that in the future the consumer market and the Internet of Things market will be separated even statistically. Therefore, the approach to assessing market shares will be different.
Beeline
Beeline is operated by Kar-Tel under a Veon license in Kazakhstan. Beeline charges lower prices than Kcell, while its network is almost as good as Kcell's. In 2021, 4G / LTE was opened for all users in the cities of Almaty, Aksai, Uralsk and Astana at frequencies of 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz (groups 1, 3, 20): [https://4g.beeline.kz/ 4G]. For LTE you need to have one of the new 4G capable USIM devices. By the end of 2021, it had reached 47% of the population on 4G.
Availability
Beeline SIM cards are available without registration. They are often sold on the streets at a very low price of 150-1000 tenge. Their default no-subscription fee line is called “For Conversations.” To top up your account, you need to go to one of the many machines on the street.
Characteristics of data packets
The default cost for data transfer is 20 tenge for 50 MB. The following packages can be added:
| Period | Volume | Price | Activation |
| daily | 100 MB | 30 tenge | *623*1# |
| 30 days | 3 GB | 890 tenge | *522*3# |
| 5 GB | 1190 tenge | *522*5# | |
| 12 GB | 1790 tenge | *522*12# | |
| 20 GB | 2590 tenge | *522*20# | |
| 30 GB | 3290 tenge | *522*30# |
Data transfer will be disabled after the limit is used. All packages are automatically updated. To stop the package, you need to dial *622*333#. The daily package is valid until midnight. To check your data usage, dial *106#. To check your balance *102#. The following package add-ons are offered:
- 2 GB: 790 tenge, for activation: *524*2#
- 4 GB: 1290 tenge, for activation: *524*4#
- 8 GB: 1590 tenge, for activation: *524*8#
For overnight use, they offer unlimited internet access from midnight to 7am for 150 tenge per week. To activate, enter *599*7#. It will update automatically. To cancel, dial *599*0#.
International roaming
You can purchase the following packages for data roaming, valid for 30 days:
| Plastic bag | Data volume(II) | Data Bonus (I) | Price | Activation |
| SuperVisa S | 100 MB | + 900 MB | 1990 tenge | *120*222# |
SuperVisa M | 1 GB | + 3 GB | 4990 tenge | *120*333# |
At any time you can add an additional 100 MB of data for 990 tenge by dialing the USSD code: *120*111#, valid until the end of SuperVisa packages.
(I) = Data volume and bonus volume is valid in the following countries: Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine.
(II) = Non-bonus data volume available in: Australia, Austria, Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, UK, Hungary, Vietnam, Germany, Hong Kong, Greece, Denmark, Jersey, Egypt, Israel, Indonesia, Ireland , Iceland, Spain, Italy, Cambodia, Canada, Qatar, Cyprus, China, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, UAE, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, USA, Taiwan, Thailand, Tanzania, Turkey, Philippines, Finland, France, Croatia, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Sri Lanka, Estonia, South Africa, South Korea, Japan.
More information
- APN: internet.beeline.kz
- Website in Kazakh and Russian languages: https://www.beeline.kz
Power Wifi
Power Wifi is a rental service for portable 4G routers combined with powerful Powerbanks (batteries) operating in Kazakhstan. The device can be ordered on the website and picked up at Almaty or Astana airports. Once your stay is over, simply leave them at the airport.
Powerbank capacity is 7800 mAh (allows 1 full charge of iPhone 6 + 20 hours of router operation). The router supports 4G/LTE and you can connect up to 5 devices to it at the same time. The kit consists of a powerbank with a built-in router (ready-to-go), an envelope and a charger. Floating traffic (with FUP) 1 GB per day. Management can be carried out using a special application.
Rental cost is $2.90 per day. They accept all major credit cards or PayPal. You must pay the full amount in advance, including a $50 deposit, which is refundable once the unit is returned undamaged.
- Website in Russian: https://powerwifi.com/index.php?lang=ru
