Mazhilis deputy Zhanarbek Ashimzhanov has asked the Agency for Protection and Development of Competition to verify the tariff policy of mobile operators Altel, Tele2 and Beeline.
According to the Kazinform news agency, the reason was their simultaneous decision to increase the subscription fee by 20%.
"This means that internet tariffs will also rise by 20%. The simultaneous and identical increase in tariffs by three major operators raises serious public doubt. Is this not a sign of mutual coordination or collusion?" Ashimzhanov said.
The deputy emphasised the need for a comprehensive inspection for monopolistic agreements and abuse of a dominant position in the mobile communications market.
"These companies hold an illegal special position in the mobile and internet market. To eliminate this special position, other participants must be brought into the market, meaning competition must be strengthened," he added.
It is worth recalling that in May last year, the chairman of the ARDC Marat Omarov stated that the agency suspected three mobile operators in Kazakhstan (Kcell, Tele2/Altel, Beeline) of collusion to raise tariffs. At the time, he noted that an inspection into them was concluding, results were being finalised, and certain court proceedings had already been initiated.
Later, the ARDC issued a warning to Kazakhtelecom JSC following the company's announcement of tariff increases, including for home internet. In October, the ARDC suspended its investigation into the telecom operators pending the outcome of the court cases.
In January of this year, the ARDC launched an inspection into mobile operator Beeline (KaR-Tel LLP) regarding an increase in wired internet tariffs from February 2025. The agency requested documentation from the operator to analyse the justification for the price rise.