Kyrgyz Government Plans to Monopolize the Country’s Internet Traffic

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Kyrgyz government attempts to give state-owned company total control of all internet traffic in the country

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November 15, 2024

The head of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers, effectively the country’s prime minister, is considering a bill that would grant the state-owned internet provider, Kyrgyztelecom, exclusive rights to distribute internet traffic in the country. This move could potentially give the government significant control over internet access.  

Technically, such a monopoly would enable the Kyrgyz government, which has previously been accused of restricting freedom of speech, to block websites more quickly and effectively. 

Currently, to block a website, the government must coordinate with all internet providers and ensure compliance, a process that can be slow and cumbersome.  

Currently, internet traffic in Kyrgyzstan comes primarily from Russia and Kazakhstan. Licensed companies are free to establish their own independent channels with foreign internet providers. There are about 15 internet service providers operating in the country alongside the state-owned Kyrgyztelecom.  

However, this could soon change. The proposed legislation would grant Kyrgyztelecom a monopoly on the transit of international internet traffic. While the bill has not yet been offered to the public for discussion or submitted to parliament, its initiators have already shared it with internet providers and held discussions with them.  

Kyrgyz media outlet Kaktus reported that the bill justifies the monopoly as a means to reduce the shadow market, improve the quality of internet services, develop telecommunications infrastructure, and ensure national security, cybersecurity, and alignment with national interests.  

“The adoption of the bill will not result in any negative social, economic, legal, human rights, gender, environmental, or corruption-related consequences and does not require additional examinations,” the initiators stated.  

The bill cites Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus as examples of countries with similar mechanisms. However, these countries are known for heavy government control over the internet and limited democratic freedoms.  



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