Phone service charges may be reduced in Azerbaijan
By Nigar Orujova
The Azerbaijani Communications and Information Technologies Ministry has prepared proposals on reducing the cost of several telecommunication services, ICT Minister Ali Abbasov said on October 21.
The proposals will be submitted to the Tariff Council.
Abbasov said that the matter is reduction of charges for telephone and other services.
"The main point here is to increase the efficiency of communication networks, including network security, as well as the launch of new services," he said.
Some 142.6 million manats ($182 million) were invested in Azerbaijan's information and communication technologies and postal communication sectors in nine months of 2013.
Currently, the total number of phones per 100 people is 18.65 units in Azerbaijan. In Baku this figure is 37.7 and in the country's regions it is 11.61, and in rural areas it is 7.21.
The mobile phone penetration in the country is at the level of 110 percent.