Azerbaijan sees threefold increase of ICT potential every three years
By Nigar Orujova
All people working in the field of Information and Communication Technologies will do their best to fulfill the tasks set by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Ali Abbasov, Communications and Information Technologies Minister made the remarks at a conference entitled “10 years of development: 2004-2014.”
Abbasov said Azerbaijan’s projects for the development of information infrastructure throughout Eurasia were supported with three decisions of the UN General Assembly. He noted that the country was also approved by the UN as the coordinator of Eurasian communications alliance.
Although Azerbaijan is a small country, it can render qualitative services in the ICT sphere not only within the country, but also in the region. It can also increase its exports, he added.
The World Economic Forum praised Azerbaijan’s development model over the past 10 years, as well as its development models for the future, Abbasov said.
The minister added this development was achieved as a result of the efforts by President Ilham Aliyev.
The development potential in the ICT sphere in Azerbaijan was 30-35 percent in 2004-2008 and this figure increased to 60-65 percent after 2008, he noted.
“This shows at least a threefold increase of ICT potential every three years, which is 2-2.5 times more than the world average figure,” Abbasov added.
Installation of telephones in all settlements of the country (for the first time among CIS countries), the expansion of the mobile communications infrastructure in recent years and others are the bright examples of this development, he stressed.
“Azerbaijan became the ninth country in Europe and 37th in the world to use 4G technology,” the minister said. “The country is among 20 countries in the world with 100-percent coverage of 3G technology.”
“In terms of the internet penetration rate - 73 percent - Azerbaijan has been a leading side among the CIS countries and maintained this position over the past several years,” Abbasov added.