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An international conference focusing on information communication technologies and recent achievements in education, business, management, healthcare and other fields has concluded in Baku. Ali Abbasov, Minister of Communications and Information Technologies, has described the situation in Azerbaijan's ICT sector and future plans during an interview with AzerNEWS.

Q. The global economic crisis has not considerably affected Azerbaijan`s ICT sector. How did you accomplish that?
A. Information communication technologies is the most dynamically developing field in Azerbaijan, only next to the energy sector. A sustainable economic and financial climate created in the country in recent years has insured the ICT and the postal services sector against the financial crisis prevailing in the world and fostered a ground for their sustainable growth.
Just like in other world countries, the development of the ICT and postal services sector is on an upward trend in Azerbaijan.
The average annual growth rate in the ICT field has been 32% in the past five years, and Azerbaijan has exceeded the global growth rate on this indicator by about three times.

Q. The latest ICT achievements were discussed at the Baku conference. What achievements are still in store for Azerbaijan?
A. According to the state program on the development of communications and information technologies adopted for 2005-2008, four directions have mainly been outlined for growth: further reform; building network infrastructure based on new generation technologies; forming electronic management and electronic government; and creating a Regional Innovation Zone.
Work is successfully ongoing on creating AzDAТACOM, the National Data Distribution Network. Telephone exchanges in the capital and 17 regions have been connected to a single network and conditions have been provided for high-speed data transfer at a rate of 10 GB/second. The network will encompass the entire country in the near future, making it possible to provide electronic services to citizens online.
The communications ministry has always viewed regional integration as a priority issue. The establishment of a Regional Innovation Zone (RIZ) could be a guarantor of successful reforms in this area. The main goals of RIZ is to increase the share of ICT in the country`s economy, play the role of a catalyst in the process of economic diversification, promote the development of intellectual potential and innovation-oriented production, and boost growth in the regions.
Increasing the country`s export potential and turning Azerbaijan into the region`s ICT center are the main objectives, as well. The leading US consulting company, Booz Allen Hamilton, has prepared feasibility studies on creating a RIZ in Azerbaijan, jointly with a special group of local and international experts and submitted the study to the Azerbaijani government.
Creating a space industry in Azerbaijan is one of the issues in the focus of our attention, as well. As you know, US Orbital Sciences Corporation has won a tender on creating Azerbaijan`s first telecommunication satellite and launching it into orbit. Work is currently underway to create a satellite which will be put into orbit in 2011.
Moreover, a plan of activities on e-government has been developed and submitted to the government for consideration. Broad application of ICT in state bodies will allow citizens to acquire information about government work and to be involved in all levels of governance.
Also, work is drawing to a close on creating ``a supreme certificate service center.`` I hope that this will create suitable conditions for wide-scale use of e-commerce and electronic payments.

Q. Most communication services (Internet, fees for international and inter-city phone calls, cellular fees) are still high in Azerbaijan in comparison with world levels. Is a change in fees envisioned? Which fees for services do you plan to lower?
A. Over the past five years, fees for international calls have been reduced three times, while those for using radio frequencies - 38%, radio and TV broadcasting fees 35-60%, and connection and monthly fees for digital channels have dropped 90%.
In addition, the Tariff Council`s decision, passed on December 30, 2008, lowered Internet fees three times. This efficient pricing policy continues.
A part of cellular communication fees is not directly regulated by the state in Azerbaijan, as cellular operators freely determine those fees in compliance with market conditions. The launch of new providers in the domestic market, notably Azerfon LLC, has led to increased competition and a considerable reduction in fees.

Q. New, ``third-generation`` (3G) technologies are being used in the cellular telecommunication networks of some countries. How about Azerbaijan?
A. The application of 3G technologies in cellular networks has provided conditions for the use of the fastest data transfer, video-phones and mobile TV services. Preparations are presently underway for a transition to the 3G system in Azerbaijan, as well. The country`s mobile communication operators are in the process of applying to the ministry to provide services based on this standard. Based on those bids, terms will be developed for the issuance of licenses to the operators. I hope that the country`s cellular phone users will be able to enjoy 3G communication services soon.