The Caspian Sea, long a symbol of regional cooperation, is set to become a digital bridge between the continents. For the first time, a subsea fiber-optic cable will link Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, forming a digital artery with more than 400 terabits of capacity, poised to transform data routes between Europe and Asia.
The Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable Project, jointly led by AzerTelecom (operating within Azerconnect Group, which is part of NEQSOL Holding—an international group of companies operating in the energy, telecommunications, high technologies, and construction fields across various countries) and Kazakhtelecom, marks a landmark in Eurasian digital infrastructure. The project has already completed several key milestones, including vendor selection, desktop study, and marine route survey, paving the way for cable construction, which is expected to be finalized by the end of 2026. Connecting Asia and Europe through a new route, this first fiber-optic cable will become a cornerstone of NEQSOL Holding's Digital Silk Way initiative, aimed at creating a secure, high-speed internet corridor across Eurasia.
"By establishing the first high-capacity subsea route across the Caspian Sea, we are creating a completely new pathway for data exchange between Europe and Asia," said Yusif Jabbarov, Chairman of NEQSOL Holding. "This project strengthens regional connectivity and reflects our long-term commitment to building modern, secure digital infrastructure across Eurasia."
A New Artery in the Global Internet
As one of the world's largest inland seas, the Caspian Sea has long connected neighboring countries through trade and transportation. Emerging digital infrastructure is now expanding these connections, enabling secure and seamless data flows across the region. While much traffic between Europe and Asia still relies on terrestrial or submarine routes within north and south corridors, the Trans-Caspian cable system introduces a vital submarine component of the middle route, linking siloed segments and improving the reliability and diversity of Eurasia's internet connectivity.
According to Emil Masimov, Chairman of the Board of AzerTelecom, the project represents a critical step in bridging the continents.
"This first and unique fiber-optic infrastructure across the Caspian Sea will significantly contribute to the acceleration of growth across the entire ICT ecosystem in the region," Emil Masimov said.
The cable will span approximately 380 kilometers under the Caspian, linking Sumqayit in Azerbaijan with Aktau in Kazakhstan. From these landing points, it will integrate into regional terrestrial and submarine networks, connecting Europe, the South Caucasus, Central, East, and South-East Asia.
AzerTelecom CEO Ana Nakashidze emphasized that the project's complexity required innovative approaches to design and coordination:
"The true strength of the Digital Silk Way lies in mastering the combination of submarine and terrestrial systems. The Trans-Caspian Cable is a cornerstone of this vision, and reaching this milestone marks a significant step forward ensuring the smooth and timely delivery of the entire route."
Work on the project is progressing rapidly, moving steadily toward key milestones. The project's onshore and offshore surveys mapped seabed topography, soil composition, and environmental conditions to ensure both technical efficiency and minimal ecological impact. The team identified optimal burial depths and protection strategies to safeguard the cable from shipping, seismic, and fishing activity—ensuring a secure, sustainable route for the cable, which is currently in the manufacturing stage.
Technical oversight of the project is provided by Pioneer Consulting, a global leader in subsea cable design. David Marie, Director of Client Solutions at Pioneer, said:
"The Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable is poised to elevate the region's economic and cultural potential through enhanced, resilient communication infrastructure. We are proud to help turn this bold vision into reality."
Strategic Role in Global Connectivity
As digitalization accelerates globally, route diversity and resilience are becoming essential. Various connectivity challenges and cyberattacks have shown just how important secure and reliable data flows are. The Caspian corridor plays a crucial role in this, boosting redundancy and strengthening the overall resilience of Eurasia's networks. More than just adding capacity, the new submarine fiber-optic route marks a strategic leap in regional digital development and highlights Azerbaijan's growing importance as a key data transit link between West and East.
Beyond direct connectivity gains, the project is expected to catalyze investment in data centers and digital services along the Digital Silk Way corridor. The new route could also attract international cloud and content providers as well as AI-driven industries seeking secure, low-latency pathways between Europe and Asia within an energy-abundant environment.
As construction advances, the Caspian Sea's quiet depths will soon carry something unseen yet transformative: a pulse of light uniting two continents through cooperation, innovation, and shared ambition.
