Azernews.Az

BAKU – Azerbaijan’s revenues from communications and information technologies increased 15 percent in the first half of 2011, double the average level in the world, Minister Ali Abbasov has said.

Abbasov told a cabinet meeting presided by President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday that a fully digitized telephone network was introduced in Azerbaijan for the first time in the entire Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

"This result has been achieved so far in developed countries and a few developing countries. This means that access to high-speed, broadband internet is now available in any residential area of Azerbaijan," the minister said.

As for cellular communication, Abbasov said new services were provided and the clientele expanded in the first half-year. Currently, there are 105 cellular phones per 100 people in the country, which is approximately 30 percent above the average figure worldwide and is on par with the indicators reported in developed countries.

Abbasov said cellular communication fees dropped 30 pct, while roaming service fees 20 to 50 pct, depending on the area of coverage, in the first half-year. The prices charged in Azerbaijan are currently about the same as in Eastern European countries.

According to the minister, the World Economic Forum (WEF) predicts that Internet penetration in Azerbaijan will be at 50 percent by the end of 2013. Presently, the number of broadband internet users alone has reached 30 pct, 2.5 times over the global average.