Beeline Kazakhstan has started its 3G mobile network switch-off.

The Veon-owned telco confirmed this week that it's gradually shutting down its 3G network to develop modern communication technologies.

According to the carrier, it will use the frequencies from its 3G network to strengthen the LTE network.

Beeline didn't provide a specific timeline for when the carrier will complete its 3G network retirement.

"Most subscribers will not even notice these changes. If your smartphone supports 4G/LTE and you have a modern SIM card, the connection will continue to work as before, and over time it will even improve," said Beeline.

The company first launched its 3G commercial services back in 2010.

Beeline serves more than 11.7 million customers with mobile connectivity and around one million with fixed Internet services. The company, previously operating under the name KaR-Tel, was founded by the Russian company PJSC VimpelCom in 2004.

Though now based in the UAE, Veon's historical roots are in Russia. Russian telco PJSC VimpelCom was founded in 1992 in Moscow and launched the Beeline brand in 1993.

The Netherlands-based VimpelCom Ltd. holding company was founded in 2009 and was renamed Veon in 2017. Veon also operates the Beeline brand in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.