Kazakhstan said on Friday that the first phase of the Trans-Caspian Submarine Cable System connecting Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is now being deployed, and is on track to be ready for service by the end of this year. The landing stations and fibre optics for Sumgait in Azerbaijan and Aktau in Kazakhstan have already been constructed and tested, the ministry said. The project is being implemented by CaspiLink, a joint venture set up by Kazakhtelecom JSC and Azertelecom in 2024 specifically for this project, with subsea cable project management firm Pioneer Consulting hired to oversee construction of the subsea system in April 2025. The ministry said all technological works and commissioning for the subsea cable are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026. A planned second phase for the Trans-Caspian cable will connect Sumgait to Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan, although no timeline has been given.