Key Events in the Company’s History
- 1 June – GSM Kazakhstan LLP of Kazakhtelecom JSC is established;
- 8 June – Receives a perpetual state license to provide GSM-standard mobile communication services
- February 7 – Launch of the Kcell brand;
- September 9 – Launch of the activ brand
- September 18 – Becomes the first mobile operator in Kazakhstan to offer mobile internet access;
- September – Launch of multimedia messaging service (MMS)
- September 13 – Becomes the first operator in Kazakhstan to introduce GPRS roaming
- August 26 – Company license is updated to include operation of the GSM-1800 network.
- December 1 – Commercial launch of 3G network in Astana and Almaty
- February 2 – Kazakhtelecom JSC completes sale of its stake to Sonera Holding B.V.;
- August 27 – Company restructured as a joint-stock company and renamed Kcell JSC;
- November 29 – Ordinary shares begin trading on ASE);
- December 13 – Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE)
- April 15 – Becomes an official iPhone distributor in Kazakhstan;
- September – Launch of a large-scale rebranding of the activ trademark;
- November 16 – Launch of the Kcell/activ mobile application;
- End of year – Becomes the largest non-financial taxpayer in Kazakhstan
- February – Completion of activ brand rebranding;
- March – First activ retail store opens in Almaty
- January 5 – Company receives rights to use additional spectrum in the 700/800 MHz and 1800 MHz ranges to enhance national coverage and prepare for 4G/LTE rollout
- March 1 – LTE network launched across Kazakhstan;
- June – 4G+ (LTE Advanced) launched in Almaty and Shymkent;
- November 1 – Fitch Ratings assigns a long-term issuer default rating of ‘BB’ with a Stable outlook.
- January 16 – Kcell places KZT 4.95 billion in bonds on KASE;
- December 21 – Kazakhtelecom JSC acquires a 75 % stake in Kcell JSC from Telia Company and Fintur Holdings B.V.
- June 27 – Fitch affirms ‘BB’ rating and upgrades outlook from Stable to Positive
- During the pandemic, 3,500 medical workers receive free voice and internet services;
- Free access granted to over 400 educational websites and 27 mobile banking apps;
- April 16 – Launch of biometric SIM machines for SIM card purchase, replacement, top-ups, and eSIM activation
- June 14 – GDRs delisted from the LSE and Astana International Exchange (AIX);
- July – Launch of OGO Finance in partnership with First Heartland Jusan Bank and Mastercard;
- September 30 – Kazakhtelecom JSC sells 24 % of its Kcell shares on KASE
- January 5 – Operational headquarters established during national emergency to ensure uninterrupted communication and support for government efforts;
- February 25 – Completion of the first phase of the Nexign Converged BSS billing system;
- December 12 – Fitch affirms Kcell’s long-term rating at ‘BB+’ with a Stable outlook;
- December 16 – Kcell, in consortium with Mobile Telecom-Service LLP, wins 5G license tender.
- December – Completion of the second phase of the Nexign Converged BSS billing system
- November 16 – Kcell named “Leader of the Stock Market” by KASE;
- December 5 – Fitch affirms long-term issuer rating at ‘BB+’, outlook remains Stable
- March 30 – Kcell supports residents affected by floods in five regions of Kazakhstan by providing free packages with 10 GB of data, 50 call minutes to any network, and 50 SMS.
- November 24 – Fitch reaffirms Kcell’s credit rating at ‘BB+’ with a Stable outlook
