Kyrgyzstan proposes single operator for internet traffic

Kyrgyzstan's presidential affairs department has proposed designating ElKat as the sole operator for all internet traffic entering, leaving, and transiting the country. This move, outlined in a draft resolution open for public discussion, would require all current and future telecommunications operators in Kyrgyzstan to obtain international internet traffic exclusively through ElKat.

The initiative stems from a presidential decree signed in July 2025, which established a temporary state monopoly on international internet traffic and granted ElKat the necessary powers. This decree was set to expire on August 14, 2026. During this period, a single tariff of $0.75 per megabit per second was implemented for international internet traffic delivery and services. The presidential affairs department stated this measure resulted in savings of approximately 11 million Kyrgyz soms per month, or about 131 million soms annually, for the country's five main telecommunications operators.

ElKat was returned to state ownership in 2025 and placed under the administration of the presidential affairs department. Reports from March 2025 indicated that businessman Alexey Shirshov played a role in facilitating the company's return to state control. The draft resolution asserts that the proposed measure is intended to prevent cyber threats and avoid unjustified increases in communication service costs.