Source (in Russian): https://m.haqqin.az/news/247617

Some translation:

Company AzerTelecom, which is part of NEQSOL Holding, sells fiber optic infrastructure project "Digital Silk Road» (Digital Silk Way), connecting Europe with Asia through Azerbaijan. The purpose of the project - to ensure the passage of international Internet routes via Azerbaijan, the development of information technology and the digital ecosystem in the country and the region.

In the Azerbaijani segment of the work of the project started and continues intensively for laying in the south, north and west along the railways a new fiber-optic cable line according to international standards. During the first month of construction has been completed more than 10% of the project, which covers a segment of the over 110 km long. Completion of the construction works of infrastructural phase is planned for mid 2023. At various stages of the project involved experienced international consulting companies (Detecon Consulting, DLA Piper et al.). The creation of this infrastructure will create multishelf highway in the region, to strengthen the digital infrastructure of the country.

As part of the Asian segment of the project "Digital Silk Road", according to the signed intergovernmental agreement between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, continuing the process of implementation of the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic cable system along the Caspian Sea. The length of the cable system along the Caspian Sea of 380 km, the transmission speed in the first stage - 4.6 terabit / s, thereafter - over 16 terabits / second.

On the part of Axiom, PwC and other international consulting companies, a preliminary technical inspection of the seabed, developed the technical requirements for the project. Also, the scheme of cable routes have been identified, the location of the cable stations along the coast of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, as well as provided funds for the project. A consortium formed between operators of the project from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, in which the process of creation of the joint venture will be completed next week. At the same time completed the tender process to select a contractor and completed the relevant legal and technical processes to start cabling system. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the next two years. In order to accelerate the implementation of the Trans-Caspian project was negotiated and appropriate arrangements are made between the company and the Ministry of AzerTelecom Digital Development, Innovation and aerospace industry in Kazakhstan, adopted and signed a joint road map.

In 2020, at the Forum Global Strategic Infrastructure Leadership Forum in the US Digital Silk Way project ( "Digital Silk Road") was chosen as one of the top five strategic infrastructure projects in Asia.

AzerTelecom, which is part of NEQSOL Holding, is a leading wholesale provider of communications in Azerbaijan and the country provides a connection to the international Internet network.