Unseen Architects of Connection: Kcell's Journey from Grasslands to Metropolises
Meet the Tech Mavericks Powering Kazakhstan's Connectivity Revolution
Step onto the rooftops of urban centers, venture into the vast steppes, and you'll find the unsung heroes of Kazakhstan's digital landscape. These aren't superheroes leaping across buildings, but engineers like Erjan Beimbetov, the man directly responsible for keeping you connected.
A Rising Sun at Kcell
Wanna join me up here? A voice thunders from the seventh floor of a business center, amidst satellites, antennas, and steel structures. A man in a Kcell vest, Erjan Beimbetov, beams a friendly smile. His journey began in 2000, and he's the man whose personal connection story unfolded not on the screen, but on the rooftops.
A Handshake and a Challenge
So, what was your first day like? Erjan queries, extending a welcoming hand. A briefcase, keys, a SIM card, and a light-emitting diode. And 63 stations for one person. No office, no weekends. Now, an entire department manages it. Back then, there was just Erjan Beimbetov and three regions: North, East, and Center.
Weight of Progress
Base station equipment once weighed a hefty 12 kilograms. Now it's 130! Erjan taps the new antenna. We're getting bigger, heavier, just like the advancements we're creating.
Far off in the steppe, along the road between Karaganda and Balkhash, one of these behemoths powers on without electricity, providing continuous connectivity for those who desperately need it - a lifeline to healthcare, family, and the world beyond their rural homestead.
The Technological Pillar of the Future: 5G
Erjan's new ally is a drone, not a toy but an integral part of the engineering team, helping survey terrains, choose optimal locations. Back in the day, we dreamed of flying like Carlsson and seeing everything from above. Now we're unleashing the fifth generation of connectivity, and we're really soaring.
With 5G, the stage is set for remote control of quarries, esports, remote medical procedures, and even blood sugar measurement through a smartphone. It's no longer the future - it's here.
Revolutionizing Mining Industries
We recently put this groundbreaking network to work in Ekibastuz for our partners in the mining industry. Now, algorithms drive dump trucks, not drivers. An operator monitors the correctness of the work from the office.
While the World Sleeps
Erjan shared stories of how they manually lifted 150-kg stations onto city center roofs during the Pope's visit in just three nights. Or when they launched 3G in Astana and Almaty in just two months for the Asian Games and the OSCE summit, working day and night to bring these cities into the digital age.
It was magic, he recalls, to bring cities into the new era of connectivity while everyone was asleep.
From 14 kbps to 1.6 Gbps
In 2003, GPRS provided just 14 kbps. Now, with 5G, it's 1.6 Gbps. That's a staggering 100,000-fold increase in speed. You used to wait half a day for an image to load, but now you can comfortably watch 4K movies. The acceleration is not measured in years, but in hours and days.
From Humble Beginnings to a Connected Nation
In the cities where we're actively developing the network, mobile internet speeds have tripled, with colleagues in Aktau recording a 250% increase. These aren't just numbers in a report; it's evidence of real, tangible growth in connectivity that directly impacts our daily lives.
It's invigorating, says Yerzhan, his eyes gleaming with pride. Proud of the company, proud of the impact they're making. Yerzhan was the man who made the first mobile call in Ekibastuz, Zhezkazgan, and Semey.
We Built the Digital Foundation
We're typically behind the scenes, the grey cardinals, says Erjan. The everyday user doesn't see the countless individuals responsible for keeping those "four LTE bars" shining bright.
Last year, Kcell launched over 2,800 base stations supporting 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G simultaneously, a record number of stations launched in our country.
It's like building a bridge between generations, all under one roof. We've created the digital foundation for the entire economy.
Of People, Not Just Technology
Our team has expanded substantially, Erjan notes, and it's not just in numbers, but in spirit.
The phone rings, Yerzhan addresses the call, a few short commands, and a problem is solved.
Nobody wants to wait, Yerzhan remarks, not even half an hour. They used to. Now they can't - and that's just right.
Enrichment Data:As Kazakhstan's digital landscape evolves, key players are actively reshaping the country's high-speed connectivity:
- Kazakhtelecom: This national telecom operator has taken a leading role in expanding the country's high-speed infrastructure by partnering with AzerTelecom to jointly construct the Trans-Caspian Submarine Cable System, a Critical data route linking Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan across the Caspian Sea and integrating it into the broader Digital Silk Road initiative.
- AzerTelecom: The Azerbaijani telecom operator partners with Kazakhtelecom to form a joint venture for the construction of the Trans-Caspian submarine fiber optic cable system. As part of this venture, AzerTelecom plays an essential role in the development of high-speed connectivity between Kazakhstan and Europe.
- Pioneer Consulting: This subsea cable project management and consulting firm has taken charge of supervising the construction of the Trans-Caspian Submarine Cable System, overseeing project management, technical supervision, and quality assurance to ensure timely and quality delivery of the cable system.
The 380-kilometer Trans-Caspian Submarine Cable System has a massive capacity of over 400 Tbps, providing an alternate terrestrial data route between Asia and Europe, integral to the Digital Silk Road initiative joining 17 countries.
In essence, Kazakhtelecom, AzerTelecom, and Pioneer Consulting are pivotal players in advancing Kazakhstan's high-speed internet infrastructure and integrating the country into major transcontinental data networks.
Erjan's Personal Prized PossessionsI, Erjan Beimbetov, can't help but reminisce about my early days when my most valuable possessions were a briefcase, keys, a SIM card, and a light-emitting diode. The light-emitting diode wasn't for lighting up a room, but for powering up the first base station I managed on my own, with 63 stations under my care.
The Technological Evolution of Base StationsFast-forward to today, I beam a friendly smile as I tap on the new antenna, now weighing 130 kilograms, symbolizing the advancements we've created and the technological journey we've embarked upon. From managing base stations with just smartphones, we've evolved to utilizing drones as an integral part of our engineering team, making life-changing connectivity possible for many in Kazakhstan.
