Telecommunications

In January to October 2006 the communications enterprises provided population and economic subjects with services worth 434.8mln AZN, or 22.6% more than 2005. Of them 26.8% was rendered to public enterprises, 73.2% - private companies, which rose 23.8%.

During January-October 2006, the Ministry of Communication and IT of Azerbaijan put in use 179,354 phone numbers. 122,108 of all numbers fell on Production Association Baki Telefon Rabitasi (BTRIB), and the rest 57,246 Aztelekom PA.

Considerable investments are put in this sector to improve the quality of services. Over the first 10 months of 2006 the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies invested 26,594,6 AZN in the telecommunications sphere. In this period Aztelekom invested 10,410,500 manats in the development of the communications sector, Baki Telefon Rabitasi 11,386,100 manats, Teleradio 1,788,400 manats, Azerpocht 1,536,100 manats.

The funds were directed the reconstruction of communications facilities, construction of new telephone lines in outskirts of Baku and region of Azerbaijan.

Significant rise was observed in regions: the telecommunications services in the Absheron region rose 9.3%, Guba Khachmaz 13.1%, Shirvan 10.4%, Shaki Zakatala 28.9%, Ganja-Gazakh 16.3%, Nakhchivan 14,6%, Lankaran 15.1%, Aran 17.1%.

Major indices reflecting activities of communications enterprises in Azerbaijan

In the first 10 months of 2006 some 76.3% of all incomes fell on incomes from community payments. Incomes of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies made up 143.4mln manats, against the forecast of 126.5mln manats. The forecast was implemented 113.4%, while the figure exceeded the last year's indicator 17.2%. Incomes from community payments made up 49.7mln manats against the forecast of 46.6mln manats. The figure exceeded the last year figure by 14.3% and the forecast was implemented by 106.7%.

Incomes from mobile communications comprise two third of entire incomes, obtained in the communications sector, or 23.5% more than 2005.

It was linked with the intensification of the activities of mobile operators. The rivalry between them results in the increase of quality of services rendered to subscribers. Azercell Telecom JV continues its work on expanding field of its coverage and providing high-quality telecommunication services in Azerbaijan. In October the company installed 1000th basic station and installed 40 new stations in Baku and regions of Azerbaijan.