Both frequency blocks on offer at Kazakhstan's 5G spectrum license auction have been snapped up by mobile operators backed by Kazakhtelecom.

The spectrum was acquired by a consortium formed by mobile operators Kcell and Mobile Telecom Service (Tele2-Altel) – both part of the Kazakhtelecom group.

The 3,600-3,700MHz band was scooped up for KZT 62.67 billion ($135 million), while the second lot for the 3,700-3,800 MHz band cost KZT 93.400 billion ($201 million).

A total of more than 7,000 5G base stations will be deployed by both operators, confirmed Sergey Konkov, General Director of Mobile Telecom Service, and a representative of the consortium. These base stations will be deployed by the end of 2025, according to Konkov.

Kcell launched its 5G network in December 2021, in the city of Turkistan, while Tele2 Kazakhstan/Altel kicked off a 5G pilot in Almaty in the same year.