Editor's Note: details were added
Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 3 / Trend H. Valiyev /
Baku is hosting an international conference today on the "Development of Cable Television in Azerbaijan: Achievements and Prospects." The representatives of cable operators of Azerbaijan, Russia, Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Turkey signed a protocol of intent to establish the Eurasian Cable TV Association.
The conference is organized by the Azerbaijani National TV and Radio Broadcasting Council and the Azerbaijani Association of Cable Operators.
"Many cable operators received licenses to provide cable TV services in 2005," head of the association Samir Gurbanov said. "Since then, much time passed. There was a need to create an association of cable operators, which was established a few days ago, to resolve existing problems. The conference will contribute to resolving future challenges in this field."
Gurbanov said that the association initiates the establishment of a single telecommunication association in Eurasia and it would be reasonable.
Nushiravan Maharramli, chairman of the Azerbaijani National TV and Radio Broadcasting Council, said that a lot of work was conducted in Baku and Sumgait to develop the infrastructure of cable television. "The association of cable operators was established to consolidate and regulate the activity of cable operators. The Azerbaijani National TV and Radio Broadcasting Council is interested in cooperating with this organization," he said.
"I think it will benefit our activity to improve legislation in the field of cable television, Maharramli said.
Representatives of state bodies, the heads of TV and cable TV companies, and leading news agencies will attend from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Turkey.
The conference will discuss the development of cable TV in Azerbaijan and long-term plans of development. During the event, participants are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding to establish the Telecommunications Association of Eurasia.
The Azerbaijani Association of Cable Operators was established by AG Telekom and SN Telekom, which both provide cable TV services in Azerbaijan. The association aims to coordinate the activities of the country's cable operators, to prepare in the participation of regulations governing activities, and to experience exchanges.