The year 2023 was memorable for the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector as well as for all sectors of the Azerbaijani economy.
Let's start with the fact that within the framework of the "Online Azerbaijan" project, access to broadband Internet was further increased in the regions, and the percentage of households with access to broadband Internet across the country was increased to 60%. By the end of 2024, this figure is predicted to be 100%.
Last year, the Agency for Information Communication Technologies under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport (MITN) started registering internet operators and providers, including host providers. 152 companies have already been registered and this process is ongoing.
In response to the increasing challenges of cyber security in Azerbaijan, RINN established the Azerbaijan Cyber Security Center in cooperation with Technion Institute, Israel's most prestigious higher education institution in technology, during the year. More than 60 citizens have already graduated from the Center.
In 2023, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Space Agency ("Azerkosmos") and "SpaceX" company under RINN. According to the agreement, the broadband satellite Internet service of the US company "Starlink" will be introduced to the Azerbaijani market this year.
Last year, Azerbaijan hosted the 74th International Astronautical Congress for the second time after a 50-year break. During the congress, dozens of meetings were held between officials of different countries, documents were signed. One such document was the cooperation agreement between Azerkosmos and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) on the development of Azerbaijan's new surveillance satellite ("Azersky-2"). According to the contract, the satellite will be assembled in Azerbaijan with the support of IAI.
By the way, during the year, the "Azersky-1" satellite stopped working 1 year ahead of schedule. According to official information, the first and only remote observation satellite of our country collided with an alien object in space.
In 2023, the event "Critical Infrastructure Defense Challenge 2023" (CIDC-2023) was held for the first time in Azerbaijan. The event was organized by the Special Communication and Information Security State Service together with the State Security Service.
One of the important events of last year was the installation of the first KA band antenna in Lachin in order to provide internet service on the "Azconnexus" platform. This antenna made high-speed internet available in the mentioned district and several surrounding areas.
During the year, the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IRIA), which is subordinate to RINN, once again formalized the direction of Azerbaijan by presenting the brand "Digital.Azerbaijan".
Elvin Abbasov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of "Azerbaijan Information and Communication Technologies Industry Association", who commented on the results of last year to "Report", believes that the work done yesterday creates a great foundation for this year: "I think that one of the most important events for the year one is the successful completion of the second year of the universally accessible Internet project, which is planned to be implemented within 3 years. Already 60% of the population has access to the Internet, and we expect this number to reach 100% this year. "Smart Village" and "Smart City" in Azerbaijan The successful implementation of such concepts also leads to an increase in the reputation and image of our country in international rankings.
The opening of the Azerbaijan Cyber Security Center is one of the most important events of the year. Thus, the creation of the Center is of particular importance both in terms of increasing the personnel potential of our country and strengthening defense in cyberspace. We had the opportunity to see the effect of the steps taken in a short time. If the processes continue at this speed, in the next few years, we will witness the satisfaction of our country's need for experts in the field of cyber security, and the expansion of the export of ready-made cyber solutions.
"Last year, communication with the Azersky-1 satellite was lost as a result of a collision with an unknown alien object in the sky. The importance of this satellite for our country is exceptional. In particular, the role of observation and filming by means of Azersky was great in the victory won in the 44-day Patriotic War. But in a short time as a result of the successful steps taken, an agreement was reached with the Israeli company on the creation of a new satellite. This agreement also coincided with an important date. So, for the second time after 50 years, Azerbaijan hosted the International Astronautical Congress. During the 4-day event, which gathered the giants of the space industry, the IAI company The conclusion of the contract with is of special importance. We hope that soon "Azersky 2" will be sent into orbit.
All in all, I can say that 2023 is an important year for the ICT sector. Every day we witness that public services are becoming more and more digital. I believe that this policy will continue in the coming years and the process of Azerbaijan becoming a technology hub in both the South Caucasus and the Caspian region will accelerate even more. One of the most important issues facing us today is the export of technological products
it is to increase the value and take a leading position in the world in this field," added the expert.
Osman Gunduz, President of "Azerbaijan Internet Forum" and a member of the Public Council under RINN, drew attention to a number of issues in his statement to "Report": "I think that the most memorable events of the sector are the prevention of information, communication and internet traffic coming from Armenia in the liberated territories." acquisition, establishment of national telecommunication, TV and Radio broadcasting infrastructure, state network in the region. Termination of the 20-year activity of the "Karabakh Telecom" operator, which was illegally operating in Karabakh and obtained international codes, was a memorable moment. Undoubtedly, the 74th Baku International Astronautical Congress, organized in Baku with the partnership of "Azerkomos" and the International Astronautical Federation, and attended by President Ilham Aliyev, was the most memorable event of the sector. The signing of the contract with the Israeli company on the preparation of the next observation-reconnaissance satellites of Azerbaijan within the framework of the congress was also noteworthy.
The most notable project in the year ending was the "Online Azerbaijan" project, which envisages the construction of a broadband Internet network throughout the country. In the framework of this project, many times more work has been done in the last one-two years than in the previous ten years. RINN has been able to do huge infrastructure-related works this year due to loans obtained not from the budget, but from international institutions. Up to 1 million households have been connected to fiber optic internet in the current year. The number of schools with fiber optic connection has also increased many times compared to previous years. The Information and Communication Technologies Agency of RINN, which performs the regulatory function in the sector, has started to operate, and taken certain steps in cooperation with the State Radio Frequencies Administration regarding 5G - allocating the frequency used by TVs for 5G, bringing 150 providers into the register, all providers to control the quality of the Internet It was also memorable to build a centralized system. In the current year, further expansion of SIMA digital signature, increase in migration to the Government Cloud, creation of "AzParking" digital solution in the transport sector, increase in popularity of "Mobile Notary" and "Smart Customs" were also noteworthy.
The expert believes that a number of important issues have not been resolved: "Although the long-awaited "Strategy on information security and cyber security" has been approved, the government has not been able to approve the list of institutions included in the critical information infrastructure. I think that one of the most important issues is the 5G frequencies "It is related to how and when it will be provided. Also, the problem of "One building, one provider", the formation of a competitive environment, and the quality standards of telecommunication and internet services have not yet been resolved."
© Report
