Smartphone Certification in Kazakhstan: Will ATS Mediafon KZ Become A Monopolist?

The registration of IMEI codes for smartphones imported into Kazakhstan is moving ahead, despite strong objections from lawmakers and ordinary citizens. The process requires a fee of one MCI per device and is currently handled by a single private provider, ATS Mediafon KZ.

Orda.kz previously reported on the company’s origins; now, the focus shifts to how the verification system is evolving.

Government’s Response

Parliamentarians sent a letter to Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov objecting to the arrangement. In his response, the prime minister explained that ATS Mediafon KZ was chosen through a competitive tender.

The State Radio Frequency Service, a state enterprise, oversees the creation, maintenance, and development of the identification database.

Following the results, ATS Mediafon KZ LLP was designated as the verification service provider, and a cooperation agreement was signed with them on April 4, 2025. Alternative providers are also permitted to provide this service on a permanent basis, subject to their compliance with the State Registration Service's qualification requirements and the conclusion of the said commission,
 the response states.

The requirements include infrastructure, premises that meet ICT standards, specialized software, technical access to the GSMA database, a consulting service, and legal capacity to operate.

Scale of Implementation

According to the prime minister, more than 12 million devices have already been added to the system since the verification process was legalized, triple the annual volume of new device sales in Kazakhstan.

Considering the positive trend of market legalization, the fulfillment of obligations by the supplier, as well as the costs imposed on it for supporting verification processes, the current format meets the established requirements,
the letter reads.

The response also clarified that transferring the process to state control would require legislative amendments, while private provision does not.

Company’s Position

After initially refusing to speak with journalists, ATS Mediafon KZ eventually issued a statement.

The project format does not envisage the creation of a monopoly or a single operator for the provision of verification services. Any number of companies is permitted, provided they meet the customer's qualification requirements, in this case, the State Radio Frequency Service, a state enterprise with the right of economic management. The selection process is currently open,
 the company said.

Verification is not an administrative procedure or a government service. It is a private service provided for a fee under a contract under civil law. The fee to the service provider covers the verification process, integration with international and national databases, technical support, and information security,
the statement added.

Profits

Despite having only around five employees, ATS Mediafon KZ has shown sharp financial growth. In June and July 2025 alone, it paid 480 million tenge in salaries and 123 million in taxes. By September, salaries had risen to 550 million and taxes to 171 million.

While officials stress that the market remains open to competition, how new companies will enter and share the field remains unclear.

Original Author: Ilya Astakhov