The Ministry of Digital Development, in collaboration with the Agency for Competition Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan, is investigating the possibility of collusion in the mobile communications market. This was announced today during a briefing at the government by the Vice Minister of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry, Askhat Orazbek, as reported by a correspondent from the Kapital.kz business information center.
"To lift the spirits of the population a bit, we agreed that there would be no tariff increases before the New Year. The operators kept their promise, but I understand that they are now beginning their procedures for raising tariffs again after the New Year. Naturally, as a regulator in this market, we disapprove of this policy by the telecom operators, and we are working together with the Agency for Competition Protection," he noted.
The Agency is conducting an investigation to determine whether there is any collusion in the market regarding tariff increases. Meanwhile, the Ministry is providing all necessary information for this purpose.
"However, unfortunately, we do not have direct influence over the telecom operators. According to the Entrepreneurial Code, which was adopted in 2017, the only thing we can do is negotiate with the operators regarding these tariffs and their increases. The Entrepreneurial Code is, after all, a code, and according to the law on 'Administrative Legal Acts', it takes precedence over our industry law 'On Communications', so for now, we cannot do anything," Askhat Orazbek concluded.