Baku: The installation of the first fiber-optic cable on the seabed of the Caspian Sea has been successfully completed as part of the Digital Silk Way initiative, launched at Azerbaijan’s initiative to establish a new digital corridor between Europe and Asia.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable project, implemented by AzerTelecom and Kazakhtelecom, has involved laying a 380-kilometre submarine fiber-optic cable from Sumgayit in Azerbaijan to Aktau in Kazakhstan. A specially equipped cable-laying vessel installed the armored fiber-optic cable along a safe and resilient route on the seabed of the Caspian Sea.
Emil Masimov, Chairman of the Board of AzerTelecom, highlighted the strategic importance of the project, stating that the deployment of a fiber-optic cable along the Caspian seabed is a key component of the Digital Silk Way initiative. He emphasized that overcoming the technical challenges of laying such infrastructure on the seabed for the first time marks a significant milestone, paving the way for future traffic exchange between Europe and Asia via the Caspian Sea.
Efforts are currently focused on integrating the cable line with coastal infrastructure, alongside ongoing construction of terrestrial infrastructure. The project is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2026.
The Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable, as the first submarine digital route across the Caspian Sea, will offer more than 400 Tbps of high-capacity international connectivity. This development aims to facilitate the exchange of large volumes of data and expand digital services across the region.
As an essential component of the Digital Silk Way initiative, the cable will traverse Azerbaijan, Georgia, Trkiye, Kazakhstan, and Bulgaria. It is set to become the shortest and most efficient route for data transmission, providing high-capacity connectivity with minimal latency, while promoting regional cooperation and sustainable development.