In the village of Zhaipak in the Alakol district of the Zhetysu region, the country's first hardware and software system (HSS) capable of operating without connection to the electrical grid has begun working in pilot mode. The new technological solution from Sergek Group uses an alternative power supply module based on solar panels, which convert sunlight into electrical energy.
According to company representatives, the system is easy to install and configure, requires no regular maintenance, and ensures uninterrupted HSS operation in field conditions with a complete lack of infrastructure.
The acting regional director of the Sergek Group branch in Almaty, Alexey Snegur, explained that the need for such a solution arose due to the terms of a contract requiring the installation of the HSS in a remote location without appropriate infrastructure.
"To fulfil our obligations in the village of Zhaipak, we first installed a battery there. However, it had to be changed daily. Not the most convenient solution. Especially since the village is more than three hundred kilometres from Taldykorgan," he noted.
Currently, the 'Sergek' intelligent public and road safety system - the flagship project of the company 'Korkem Telecom', part of Sergek Group - operates in 11 cities and three regions of the country. However, the company's technological progress is marred by a whole range of legal and technical problems in different regions of the country.
Recall that in January 2024, violations were identified in the installation of 'Sergek' in the Kostanay region: the company 'Korkem Telecom' did not meet the requirements and did not have the necessary rights and certificates.
Furthermore, in June last year, our editorial team provided detailed coverage of the development of the Intelligent Road Control System (ISKAD) – a joint project of Freedom Telecom and Sergek Group. In July, we presented an analysis of the 'Sergek' system, which was already sparking constant debate about its effectiveness and safety.
In February of this year, the Akimat of Astana announced plans to change the operator of the city's video surveillance system. After the contract with the developer of 'Sergek' expires, the capital's authorities planned to sign an agreement with the Emirati company Presignt, ready to invest 53 billion tenge in the project.
At the same time, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology, Bauyrzhan Kassymov, disclosed information about serious violations in the verification procedure of hardware and software complexes.
Meanwhile, the conflict in the East Kazakhstan region remains unresolved, where Sergek Group refuted the statements of the Akim, Yermek Kosherbayev, about non-functioning cameras that were left without software after the completion of a public-private partnership (PPP).
In April, the specialised inter-district economic court of the Kostanay region partially upheld the claim from the Department of Informatisation regarding the termination of the contract with Korkem Telecom LLP. That same month, the FBRK editorial team analysed the company's latest legal disputes in the country's largest cities.
The new technological breakthrough with solar panels comes at a difficult time for Sergek Group. Against the backdrop of legal proceedings and growing scepticism from state bodies, the company appears to be betting on innovation, seeking to strengthen its market position and demonstrate technological superiority. However, the key question remains open: can the introduction of modern solutions, such as autonomous solar-powered HSS units, outweigh the accumulated grievances regarding the quality and legality of the system's overall operation?
Moreover, systemic problems with digitalisation in Kazakhstan create the risk that even a technically perfect solution will encounter bureaucracy and integration difficulties. The history of technological initiatives in the country shows a significant gap between ambitious statements and successful implementation, a gap that Sergek Group will find particularly difficult to bridge given its accumulated problems.