Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 22 /Trend, G.Veliyev/
Privatization of public telecommunication enterprises in Azerbaijan will not affect their future activities, deputy minister of communications and information technologies of Azerbaijan Elmir Velizade said on Monday.
According to Velizade, today the network of Baku Telephone Communications and Aztelekom production units develop, significant investments are made to upgrade their network infrastructure, which will bring to 100 percent digitalization stationary communications in the Republic.
"Today the main task of the telecommunication workers is to provide a stable, high-quality, modern and accessible communications to population," said Velizade.
The question of privatization of state communication enterprises became urgent in August during Turkish Transport Minister Binali Yildirim's visit to Azerbaijan. At the meetings it was announced that the Turkish Turktelecom is interested in expanding into the telecommunications market of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani side is prepared to consider participation of the Turkish operator in the privatization of Aztelekom.
The privatization of telecommunications companies in Azerbaijan, as well as worldwide, is a fairly complicated process. Today companies such as Bakcell, Azercell, CATEL, Ultel, as well as state-owned enterprises Bakteleqraf and Qasid have been privatized in Azerbaijan. The agenda includes the question of privatization of Aztelekom and Baku Telephone Communications production units, including land satellite stations of Teleradio used to organize international communications.
The issue of privatization of telecommunications enterprises is also one of the conditions for Azerbaijan's accession to the World Trade Organization.
The situation on the world market dictates to take significant steps in terms of privatization, as well as a favorable competitive environment. This should facilitate the further development of the market, improve the quality and quantity of services and lower tariffs.