In current a long time, data and communication applied sciences (ICT) have turn into not simply an integral a part of on a regular basis life however a strategic useful resource that defines a nation’s world competitiveness.
The influence of those applied sciences extends far past public administration, reaching into civil society, enterprise, training, science, tradition, and social improvement. As the world quickly strikes towards constructing an data society, it’s clear that those that fail to adapt danger falling behind within the world improvement race.
Azerbaijan is confidently transferring ahead in its digital transformation journey, demonstrating important achievements and laying a strong institutional and technological basis. The nation just isn’t merely responding to the challenges of the digital age however can be actively taking part in world processes within the fields of ICT and cybersecurity.
Azerbaijan’s digital journey started with an essential step in 2001, when the nation joined the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime on November 23. This signaled Azerbaijan’s early recognition of the dangers posed by the digital period and its dedication to combating cyber threats inside the framework of worldwide legislation. Since then, the federal government has pursued a constant coverage on this sphere. A Presidential Decree issued on September 26, 2012, laid the groundwork for strengthening the institutional framework of nationwide data safety.
The course of superior additional in 2020, when a brand new State Service for Special Communication and Information Security was established below the Special State Protection Service, bringing collectively assets and experience to guard vital data methods and infrastructure.
In 2022, the Azerbaijan Cybersecurity Organizations Association (AKTA) was formally registered, making a unified platform that brings collectively cybersecurity consultants, firms, and establishments. The Association performs an important function in constructing the nation’s cybersecurity ecosystem, enhancing cooperation between private and non-private stakeholders, advancing public consciousness, and fostering skilled coaching and training.
A milestone was reached in August 2023 when President Ilham Aliyev authorised the “National Strategy on Information Security and Cybersecurity for 2023–2027.” This strategic doc outlines the important thing priorities for the approaching years, together with strengthening technical resilience, growing human capital, modernizing the authorized framework, and deepening worldwide partnerships.
Parallel to institutional reforms, the digitalization of public administration is accelerating. According to Presidential Decree No. 2279, dated August 1, 2023, all central and native govt our bodies, in addition to state-owned authorized entities, should combine their doc circulation methods into the nationwide e-platform by August 2024. This reform is designed to extend transparency, cut back forms, and improve authorities responsiveness.
At the identical time, Azerbaijan is investing closely within the improvement of digital infrastructure. Since 2018, the rollout of fiber-optic expertise has been underway. The state telecommunications supplier, Baktelecom, started deploying GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) infrastructure in Baku, delivering web, phone, and TV providers via a single line. Following profitable implementation within the capital, this expertise has been prolonged to rural and distant areas, together with the villages of Vladimirovka and Khinalig within the Quba area, and a number of other villages within the Tovuz area by 2023. In the village of Kichik Dehne within the Sheki area, 2,800 households had been lined by GPON expertise, with 1,319 subscribers related and web speeds elevated from 30 Mbps to 100 Mbps.
One of probably the most formidable digital initiatives is the “Online Azerbaijan” undertaking, launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport. Its intention is to remove the digital divide and supply high-speed web entry even in probably the most distant settlements. The undertaking replaces outdated ADSL tools with fashionable GPON expertise working on the IMS platform. This transition has considerably improved broadband high quality and enabled entry to fashionable providers equivalent to IPTV and cloud-based options.
The outcomes of those initiatives are spectacular. Since 2021, the common web pace in Azerbaijan has elevated practically fourfold—from 17.2 Mbps to 66 Mbps in 2024. Between 2017 and 2023, the variety of households and companies related to broadband providers surged from 227,000 to almost 1.7 million, and by 2024, the determine exceeded 2.2 million. Fixed broadband obtain speeds rose to 65.59 Mbps by the tip of 2024, whereas cellular web speeds elevated from 15.86 Mbps in 2020 to 56.78 Mbps in 2024. The variety of fastened broadband subscribers grew from 1.1 million in 2020 to 2.2 million in 2024. Meanwhile, cellular web customers expanded from 6.3 million in 2020 to 11.8 million in 2023.
These achievements are the results of a constant, forward-looking authorities coverage centered on innovation, technological improvement, and digital inclusivity. However, the important thing problem forward lies in guaranteeing equal entry to digital providers throughout the whole nation, together with mountainous and hard-to-reach areas, whereas persevering with to enhance service high quality.
Today, Azerbaijan just isn’t merely catching up with world digital tendencies—it’s positioning itself as a possible digital hub for the area. With fashionable infrastructure, a sophisticated regulatory framework, and a rising pool of certified specialists, the nation is properly on its strategy to making a resilient digital society the place expertise works to learn each citizen.
By Rovshan Sayyaroglu
The materials was ready with the monetary assist of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
