Trans‑Caspian Submarine Cable Desktop Study Completed
Trans‑Caspian Fiber‑Optic Cable Project Reaches Key Milestone With Completion Of Desktop Study
By Gunay Hajiyeva, Caspian News
June 18, 2025
A new milestone has been reached in the construction phase of the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable Line, a key component of the Digital Silk Way project, which aims to establish a high-capacity digital corridor between Europe and Asia.
The project is being implemented by AzerTelecom, a backbone internet provider in Azerbaijan that operates within Azerconnect Group, which is part of NEQSOL Holding, in partnership with Kazakhtelecom, Kazakhstan’s national telecommunications operator.
The companies have recently announced the successful completion of the Desktop Study, a comprehensive pre-engineering analysis of the marine environment and potential cable route. According to the company, this marks a strong and promising start to the upcoming submarine installation works.
The final report of the Desktop Study includes in-depth assessments of marine charts, seabed conditions, environmental factors, and potential route hazards. It also provides the critical baseline data needed to advance to the next phases of the project, including the detailed marine survey and cable route engineering.
According to Yusif Jabbarov, Chairman of NEQSOL Holding, the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic cable project not only strengthens digital connectivity and technological advancement across the region but also contributes to regional economic cooperation.
“This project is a key component of NEQSOL Holding’s strategic Digital Silk Way initiative, aimed at building a sustainable digital future for the region. To achieve this, we are implementing cutting-edge, internationally recognized solutions to usher in a new era of faster, more reliable, and high-quality connectivity between Asia and Europe,” added Yusif Jabbarov.
This milestone confirms that the proposed fiber-optic route meets international engineering standards and adheres to stringent safety and quality benchmarks.
“This year, we signed a contract for the construction of the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic cable across the Caspian Sea and reached our first major milestone — the completion of the Desktop Study. The next step is the marine route survey, and I’m pleased to note that all activities are progressing in accordance with the schedule. On the Kazakhtelecom side, we’ve formed a dedicated implementation team focused solely on this project, which is unique in its scope and scale,” said Nurlan Meirmanov, Chief Strategy and External Assets Officer of Kazakhtelecom.
Technical supervision and advisory support for the project are being provided by U.S.-based Pioneer Consulting, ensuring that all milestones and deliverables align with industry best practices and global standards. As part of its role, Pioneer Consulting contributed to the Desktop Study by reviewing critical design elements and providing expert recommendations, supporting the report’s acceptance by AzerTelecom and Kazakhtelecom.
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