Kyrgyzstan eyes ElCat as sole internet traffic operator

Kyrgyzstan is considering consolidating its internet traffic management under a single entity, ElCat, as proposed by the Presidential Affairs Department. A draft resolution submitted for public discussion outlines a plan to make ElCat the sole operator responsible for delivering, transmitting, and transiting all international internet traffic for the country.

The proposal mandates that all telecommunications operators currently active or newly established in Kyrgyzstan must obtain their international internet traffic exclusively through ElCat. This initiative is presented as a measure to enhance national cybersecurity by preventing cyber threats and to avoid unjustified increases in telecommunications service costs.

This proposed move follows a temporary state monopoly on international internet traffic that was introduced in July 2025 by President Sadyr Japarov. During this period, ElCat was granted the authority to manage this traffic. The monopoly was set to expire on August 14, 2026. According to the Presidential Affairs Department, a unified tariff of $0.75 per megabit per second was implemented during the monopoly, resulting in monthly savings of approximately 11 million soms for the country's five major telecommunications operators, totaling about 131 million soms annually.

ElCat was returned to state ownership in 2025 and placed under the management of the Presidential Affairs Department. Information from March 2025 indicated that Alexey Shirshov played a role in facilitating ElCat's return to state control. The current proposal suggests a permanent shift towards centralized control over the nation's internet infrastructure.