The installation of the first fiber-optic cable on the seabed of the Caspian Sea has been successfully completed as part of the Digital Silk Way initiative, launched at Azerbaijan's initiative to establish a new digital corridor between Europe and Asia.Within the framework of the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable project, implemented by AzerTelecom and Kazakhtelecom, a 380-kilometre submarine fiber-optic cable has been laid from Sumgayit (Azerbaijan) to Aktau (Kazakhstan). A specially equipped cable-laying vessel installed the armored fiber-optic cable along a safe and resilient route on the seabed of the Caspian Sea. Commenting on the strategic significance of the project, Emil Masimov, Chairman of the Board of AzerTelecom, noted: "One of the key components of the Digital Silk Way initiative, which will establish a new digital corridor through Azerbaijan, is the deployment of a fiber-optic cable along the seabed of the Caspian Sea. The project's main technical challenge was deploying such infrastructure on the Caspian seabed for the first time. The successful completion of this milestone will soon enable traffic exchange between Europe and Asia via the Caspian Sea."Work is currently underway to integrate the cable line with the coastal infrastructure, while the construction of the terrestrial infrastructure is also in progress. The project is scheduled to become fully operational by the end of 2026.As the first submarine digital route across the Caspian Sea, the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable will provide more than 400 Tbps of high-capacity international connectivity, enable the exchange of large volumes of data, and contribute to the expansion of digital services across the region. The Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable is an important component of the Digital Silk Way initiative. Passing through Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye, Kazakhstan and Bulgaria, the Digital Silk Way will become the shortest and most efficient route for data transmission, providing high-capacity connectivity with minimal latency while fostering regional cooperation and sustainable development.About AzerTelecomAzerTelecom is the region's largest international backbone operator, providing wholesale Internet transit, transmission, connectivity, and other services. AzerTelecom operates within Azerconnect Group, which is part of NEQSOL Holding, an international group of companies operating in various countries and sectors.About KazakhtelecomKazakhtelecom JSC is Kazakhstan's largest telecommunications company, offering a comprehensive range of services, including fixed-line and mobile telephony, internet access, television broadcasting, and data transmission. Established in 1994, the company has played a pivotal role in developing the nation's communication infrastructure. Kazakhtelecom's commitment to innovation and quality service delivery has solidified its position as a leader in the industry.