Kazakhstan ranks 42nd among 144 countries on mobile tariffs

"If we talk in general about the tariffs, we can not say that Kazakhstan's tariffs are very high. According to the WEF's Global Information Technology Report 2013, among 144 countries of the world we're on the 42nd place on tariffs for cellular services. Our tariffs are lower than in Russia. For example, last year we were on the 67th place of the ranking," Sarsenov said.

However, at present the Transport Ministry is regulating the prices in the retail market of Kcell and Beeline operators, occupying about 80% of the cellular market.

"Our dominant operators are Kcell and Beeline. This year we have analyzed the prices for mobile services of these operators. As a result we have sent them notices requiring reducing the maximum prices by an average of 18%. The company "Cartel" with the brand name Beeline agreed with the limit price and reduced tariffs, and Kcell commenced legal proceedings against us," the Deputy Minister noted.

According to Sarsenov, the new discount-operator Tele-2 is very good for the market, since it promotes price reduction.

According to the analytical agency ComNewsResearch, the cheapest operator in Kazakhstan in February 2013 was Tele-2, the most expensive was Kcell.

At present, the cellular market in Kazakhstan has four operators under the brands Kcell, Beeline, Tele-2, ALtel.